Charlotte Dujardin — Workforce GB’s joint-most adorned feminine Olympian — has been suspended from equestrian for one 12 months after “participating in conduct opposite to the rules of horse welfare.”
The game’s governing physique, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), confirmed on Thursday Dujardin could be suspended from competing till July 23, 2025, and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,884; $11,300).
Dujardin’s sanction comes after a video emerged in July 2024 of the double Olympic dressage champion whipping a horse repeatedly 4 years beforehand, which noticed her withdraw from the Paris Olympic Video games. The time already served throughout her provisional suspension will rely in direction of the FEI punishment.
In the course of the suspension interval, the 39-year-old is prohibited from taking part in all actions associated to competitions or occasions beneath the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a Nationwide Federation.
After the video emerged in the summertime, Dujardin withdrew from the Paris Video games and mentioned she had made “an error of judgement” throughout a training session. The FEI, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and British Dressage subsequently launched a disciplinary course of, with the latter two our bodies reciprocating the FEI’s ban.
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The FEI added that because the video emerged, it has not acquired any additional complaints about Dujardin’s conduct.
Dujardin mentioned on the time that the incident was “fully out of character” and “doesn’t mirror how I prepare my horses or coach my pupils”, including that she was “deeply ashamed” of the footage.
Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s joint-most adorned feminine Olympian, has been provisionally suspended & won’t compete at Paris 2024.
This video has emerged of the dressage star which she mentioned confirmed her ‘making an error of judgement’. pic.twitter.com/PQ9rPQTD04
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 24, 2024
FEI secretary normal Sabrina Ibanez mentioned on Thursday: “It’s regrettable that this case has put our sport within the headlines for all of the mistaken causes, particularly throughout a crucial time main as much as the Olympic Video games. But, regardless of the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by instantly opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.
“These vital sanctions ship a transparent message that anybody, no matter their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face critical penalties. We imagine this end result reaffirms the FEI’s dedication to equine welfare and to its function as guardian of our equine companions.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) mentioned after the preliminary investigation was opened: “We welcome that this has already been referred to a related authority and that the FEI is investigating. We’re prepared to offer any assist to their work, if required.”
Dujardin has received six Olympic medals throughout the three Video games she has competed at. She received two golds within the particular person and group dressage at London 2012, earlier than defending her particular person gold at Rio 2016 and successful silver within the group occasion. Dujardin then claimed two bronze medals at Tokyo.
Her medal haul leaves her degree with bike owner Laura Kenny, who received 5 golds and one silver throughout three Video games. With Kenny retiring forward of Paris, any medal for Dujardin earlier this 12 months would have made her Britain’s most adorned feminine Olympian.
Dujardin had been as a consequence of compete within the group and particular person dressage in Paris.
(Prime picture: Bradley Collyer/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs)