Three-time Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin suddenly withdrew from Great Britain’s dressage team after a video allegedly showed her mistreating a horse.
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Dujardin addressed the video in a statement and admitted that the incident was recorded four years ago: “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgment during a coaching session.” She regretted her actions and added, “What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train horses or coach my pupils. However, there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.”
Given the nature of the situation, Dujardin decided to withdraw from all competitions, including the upcoming Paris Olympics, while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports conducted its investigation, the New York Post reported. “I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans, and sponsors,” the athlete concluded.
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Dujardin says she is committed to cooperating with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation, and British Dressage during their investigation. She will refrain from further commenting on the video until the case is concluded. The 39-year-old athlete is known as a prominent figure in dressage.
Dujardin secured gold medals in team and individual dressage at the 2012 London Olympics and clinched another gold medal in individual dressage at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Additionally. she earned a silver medal in team dressage in Rio and bronze medals in both teams and individual dressage at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The sport has been criticized for involving animals in the Olympic sport as some assume the techniques enforced could involve alleged abuse towards horses.
