Charlotte Dujardin’s former mentor and team-mate condemns the six-time Olympic medallist’s actions after whipping scandal video saw her thrown out of Paris 2024 team
- A video has been released showing Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse 24 times
- The six-time Olympic medallist in equestrian sport was subsequently dropped from Team GB
- Dujardin’s funding cut by UK Sport and terminated by horse welfare charity
Charlotte Dujardin was convicted by her mentor and teammate Carl Hester for mistreating a horse, which resulted in her being banned from the Olympics.
In a significant development, the 57-year-old has co-signed a sharp statement from the board of the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC).
It said they “universally condemn” Dujardin’s actions after she was expelled from Paris in 2024 over a disturbing video showing her whipping a horse’s legs 24 times “like an elephant in the circus”.
This move may come as a surprise to some, given the relationship between the two and Hester’s position within the sport.
Dujardin, 39, achieved great success at the now-retired Valegro and was co-owner of Hester, overseeing her development.
WARNING: SHARP IMAGES
Charlotte Dujardin was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics after a controversial video emerged showing the six-time Olympic medallist repeatedly punching a horse in the legs
Carl Hester (left) was a former teammate and mentor of Dujardin
Dujardin reportedly taught the horse to ‘piaffe’, a slow trotting technique traditionally associated with dressage.
The pair’s relationship dates back to 2007, when Dujardin first began working in Hester’s garden. Hester is in Paris competing for Team GB.
āThe IDRC Board members unanimously condemn the actions of Charlotte Dujardin as seen in the released video footage,ā the statement said.
‘The Board members are determined that the welfare of horses must always come first and foremost at all times. They promote only ethical training methods and practices and strive to encourage all their members to adhere to the ‘International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse’ together with all FEI regulations which support and protect the standards of equine welfare both in and out of competition.’
Dujardin, who needed one more medal to become Britain’s top female Olympian, voluntarily withdrew from the Games after the video was sent to the FEI, which launched an investigation. The video was sent by Dutch horse lawyer Stephan Wensing on behalf of a client. Wensing said it showed Dujardin treating the horse “like an elephant in the circus”.
She apologized and admitted she had made an “error of judgment” that was “completely out of character.”
The video prompted Dujardin to apologize and admit he had made “an error of judgment” that was “completely out of character”
The FEI later issued a provisional suspension while their investigation continues. “The IDRC Board supports the action taken by the FEI, the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage to provisionally suspend Ms Dujardin,” the statement said.
‘It notes that Ms Dujardin has stated that she has no excuse for her actions and has also expressed her shame and regret. Due to the ongoing investigations, the Council will not make any further official statements on this matter until the investigations have been completed.’