Three-time Olympic equestrian champion Charlotte Dujardin has been handed a one-year suspension after footage emerged of her excessively whipping a horse over the summer.
The 39-year-old British rider withdrew from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris following the release of the video, which showed her whipping a horse on its legs repeatedly while coaching another rider four years ago.
Dujardin became the subject of an investigation by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), and she was given a provisional suspension in July while the footage was reviewed by the governing body.
Dujardin's actions were condemned by former GB Olympics teammate Carl Hester, and while she said in a statement that she was "deeply ashamed" of her actions, she also labelled them "completely out of character".
Following the conclusion of the FEI's investigation, Dujardin has been banned from competing in all national and international competitions for one year, although the time she has already served under her provisional ban will be taken into account.
As a result, Dujardin will be eligible to return to the sport in July 2025, and the 39-year-old has also been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs, equivalent to £8,883.80.
Dujardin free to compete at next World, European Championships
However, the three-time Olympic gold medallist will not miss any major championships, as the next quadrennial World Equestrian Games will be held in 2026 in Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Dujardin will also be free to compete at the 2025 European Dressage Championships, which will be held in the French commune of Crozet from August 26 to 31, one month after her ban concludes.
"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," a statement from FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibanez read.
"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."
Dujardin won the individual and team dressage gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London riding Valegro, before successfully defending her title in the former competition at the Rio 2016 Games.
The 39-year-old then took team and individual bronze at Tokyo 2020, before a Dujardin-less GB equestrian team clinched five podium placements at the 2024 Paris Games, finishing second in the medal table behind Germany.
Ben Knapton
