The queen of Team GB's dressage team and six-time Olympic medalist has been banned from the sport just days before the Paris Olympics after a video emerged of her allegedly whipping a horse on its legs repeatedly.
WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE. Team GB equestrian queen suspended indefinitely as investigation launched. Olympian 'sincerely sorry' as former jockey claims her career is 'in tatters'Video footage has been released of Team GB dressage star Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse's legs - as the Olympian withdrew from Paris 2024 amid claims she has deployed the practice in the past.
The footage then aired on Good Morning Britain today. It shows Dujardin walking alongside the horse, which was being ridden by a 19-year-old girl, as she struck its legs with a whip. Dujardin was hoping to become Britain's most decorated Olympian but was forced to pull out of the games yesterdayCharlotte Dujardin with her Tokyo 2020 Olympic winning horse Gio and former Olympic gold medal winner Valegro in 2021
'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. Those giving instructions on piaffe typically do so whilst tapping the horse very lightly - just enough to encourage it to raise its legs. 'It doesn't make any sense,' the lawyer added. 'It has no goal. It is unbelievable. At that time, my client was thinking this must be normal. She is an Olympic winner. Who am I to doubt?'
'It's not standard practice. She knows that and I just don't understand how she got into that situation because she is somebody who has made her life from horses because she manages them in a way that they work for her. 'She will be hung, drawn and quartered. This will be her defining legacy. Her professional career is in tatters.'
In a bombshell statement the three-time gold medalist revealed she had made an 'error of judgement' during a coaching session that is said to have put an animal's welfare at risk. The sporting body said it was sent the clip on Monday - just three days before Friday's Opening Ceremony where Dujardin was tipped to be among the contenders to be the flag bearer for Team GB.
Under FEI rules horses must be free from blood over the entire body and mouth both during and after the event. 'I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.'The British Olympic Association - Team GB - confirmed it was aware of Dujardin's withdrawal.
BE chief executive Jim Eyre said: 'As the guardians of equestrian sport, we must uphold the highest standards of equine welfare - the horse's wellbeing is paramount. It said: 'The FEI has officially announced the provisional suspension of British Dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for a period of six months, effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024.
'Upon receiving the video, the FEI promptly initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations. 'The FEI acknowledges the cooperation of Charlotte Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage with the ongoing investigation and intends to proceed as swiftly as possible.'
Read More Inside British dressage star Dujardin's life - as she pulls out of Paris 2024 after video resurfaces It comes as American dressage rider Cesar Parra is currently provisionally suspended by the FEI over horse welfare issues. According to horses.nl the complaint was filed with both the FEI and the British Equestrian Federation at '9am last Monday' by Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing 'on behalf of a client who wishes to remain anonymous'.
READ MORE British Athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games: Full list of athletes who will represent Team GB 'It is extremely sad that one of the most successful riders in the world has to pay the price. But this rider has also not taken any responsibility and this cannot go unpunished. Her first medals came at the London 2012 Olympics, where she won both team and individual dressage gold medals on that horse. These were Britain's first Olympic medals in the equestrian sport.
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