The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced the one-year suspension of Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion in dressage, for mistreating a horse.
The 39-year-old rider had been provisionally suspended since July 23, and the sanction will end in 2025.
Details of the Suspension for Horse Mistreatment
On July 22, 2024, the FEI received a video provided by a lawyer representing an anonymous whistleblower, showing Dujardin excessively whipping a horse during a training session at a private stable.
In response, Dujardin announced her withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she could have become the most decorated British athlete in Olympic history.
Statements by Charlotte Dujardin after the Sanction
“What happened does not represent me and does not reflect the way I train my horses or my students, but there are no excuses. I feel deep shame, I should have set a better example at that time,” Dujardin commented, explaining that the video was four years old.
Imposed Sanctions
In addition to the suspension, Dujardin was fined 10,000 Swiss francs (11,300 dollars) and was prohibited from participating in national competitions during her suspension.
Dujardin has won gold in individual and team dressage in London 2012, an individual Olympic title in Rio 2016, and silver in the team event. In the Tokyo 2021 Games, she won individual bronze and team silver.
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