Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin suspended for one year after video showed her whipping horse

Great Britain’s double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended for one year after a video emerged of her whipping a horse.

Dujardin withdrew from this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris after the footage emerged of a training session four years ago showing her repeatedly whipping the horse of her student.

She said the footage in the video was ‘completely out of character’ and did not reflect the way she trained her horses or her pupils.

Dujardin’s suspension is backdated to July 2024. She has also been fined CHF 10,000. During her suspension, Dujardin will not be permitted to participate in all dressage activities organised by the FEI.

British Equestrian and British Dressage have also backed the suspension.

“It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.

“These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences.

“We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”