Charlotte Dujardin has been condemned by her mentor and team-mate Carl Hester for the abuse of a horse that saw her banned from the Olympics.
In a significant development, the 57-year-old is a co-signatory on a stinging statement from the board members of the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC).
It states that they ‘universally condemn’ Dujardin’s actions after disturbing video of her whipping the legs of a horse 24 times ‘like an elephant in the circus’ saw her thrown out of Paris 2024.
The move may come as a surprise to some given the relationship between the pair and Hester’s standing within the sport.
Dujardin, 39, enjoyed stunning success with now-retired Valegro, was co-owned by Hester, who oversaw her progress.
WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE
Charlotte Dujardin was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics when a controversial video emerged showing the six-time Olympic medalist whipping a horse on the legs repeatedly
Carl Hester (left) was a former team-mate and mentor to Dujardin
Dujardin was was supposed to be teaching the horse how to ‘piaffe’, according to reports, with this a slow-motion trotting technique that is traditionally associated with dressage
The pair’s relationship goes back to 2007, when Dujardin first began work in Hester’s yard. Hester is in Paris to compete for Team GB.
‘The Board Members of the IDRC universally condemn the actions of Charlotte Dujardin as seen in the video footage which was made public,’ the statement says.
‘The Board members are resolute that equine welfare must always be placed uppermost and at all times. They promote only ethical training methods and practices and strive to encourage all their members to abide by the ‘International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse’ together with all FEI regulations which support and protect equine welfare standards both in and out of competition.’
Dujardin, who needed one more medal to become the greatest British female Olympian, voluntarily withdrew from the Games after the video was sent to the FEI, who opened an investigation. It was sent by Dutch equine lawyer Stephan Wensing on behalf of a client. Wensing said it showed Dujardin treating the horse ‘like an elephant in the circus’.
She apologised and admitted ‘making an error of judgement’ which was ‘completely out of character’.
The FEI later issued a provisional suspension, while their probe continues. ‘The IDRC Board supports the actions taken by the FEI, the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage to provisionally suspend Ms Dujardin,’ the statement added.
‘It notes that Ms Dujardin has stated she has no excuse for her actions and has also expressed her shame and regret. Due to the live and on-going investigations the Board will not make any further official announcements on this matter until the investigations are concluded.’
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