Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin handed year suspension from competition over horse whipping controversy

5 December 2024, 09:15 | Updated: 5 December 2024, 09:44

Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin handed year suspension competition following horse whipping controversy
Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin handed year suspension competition following horse whipping controversy. Picture: Getty

By Danielle de Wolfe

Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The suspension means Dujardin is now banned from participating in all activities related to competition or events overseen by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) - equestrian competition's international governing body.

Both British Equestrian and British Dressage have implemented the same suspension, the FEI said in a statement on Thursday.

It follows the emergence of footage earlier this year which showed the rider appearing to 'repeatedly hitting a horse on the legs'.

The video caused widespread outrage among those in the industry and animal campaigners alike.

The three-time Olympic champion was formally accused of ‘beating a horse more than 24 times in one minute’, a lawyer claimed in July.

Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy that saw her withdraw from the Paris Games, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports has announced
Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy that saw her withdraw from the Paris Games, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports has announced. Picture: Alamy

The controversy saw her withdraw from the Paris Games, with the announcement made on Thursday by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

As part of the sanctions, the dressage rider has also been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (about £8,800).

She was officially suspended pending an investigation by the International Federation of Equestrians this evening.

At the time she claimed the move was "completely out of character" and "does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils".

Read more: Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin ‘whipped horse 24 times like an elephant in the circus’, claims lawyer

Read more: Allowing Dutch volleyball player to compete in Olympics after he raped girl, 12, sends 'damaging message', says charity

In a video obtained by a Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, Ms Dujardin can allegedly be seen whipping the horse's legs during a slow-motion trot.“

My client used to be a sponsor, and she was in the UK, and she sponsored a lesson for Charlotte to a student,” he told The Telegraph.

Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy that saw her withdraw from the Paris Games, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports has announced.
Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competition for one year following a horse whipping controversy that saw her withdraw from the Paris Games, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports has announced. Picture: Alamy

“It was a young girl of 19 years old riding her horse, and she got a lesson from Charlotte Dujardin in the UK. 

“Charlotte Dujardin was in the middle of the arena. She said to the student ‘your horse must lift up the legs more in the canter’.

She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute and really hard, really harsh, really tough.”

This is a breaking story.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An armed Met counter-terror firearms unit at Downing Street

UK police chiefs ‘plan national counter-terrorism force’

Patrick Mullins aboard Nick Rockett after winning the Randox Grand Nationa

Nick Rockett wins 2025 Grand National at Aintree holding off last year's winner I Am Maximus

She was reportedly robbed outside an Italian restaurant in Cheshire

Wife of Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana ‘robbed of £62K handbag and Rolex’

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London

Molly Russell took her own life in 2017.

Meta and Pinterest 'make secret donation to Molly Russell charity'

Elton John

Sir Elton John says he 'can't read, watch TV or see his boys play rugby' as he opens up about health battle

Exclusive
Corby steelworks pictured in 1981

Families in former industrial town call for probe into rare child cancer after botched clean-up of steelworks

The stabbing happened on Ramsden Street in Huddersfield.

Man, 20, charged with murder after 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield

Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK products has officially come into force

Trump tariffs come into force as global stock markets plunge deeper into the red

File photo dated 19-05-2024 of Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne lifting the Premier League trophy with team-mates.

Kevin De Bruyne to leave Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola calls him 'one of greatest midfielders to play in England'

Stock markets plummeted on Friday

Starmer 'pushing for Trump royal visit this year' as UK bids for US trade deal - after tariffs spark turmoil in markets