Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin says she’s going to “eternally purpose to do higher” after she was banned for one yr and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,886) for “excessively” whipping a horse.
Video footage emerged in July – simply days earlier than the beginning of the Paris 2024 Olympics – of the 39-year-old repeatedly hanging the horse with a protracted whip round its legs.
Dujardin’s worldwide ban, handed out by the FEI – the world governing physique of equestrian sports activities – is backdated to the beginning of her provisional suspension and she or he might be eligible to compete once more from July 2025.
British Equestrian and British Dressage have additionally backed the suspension, stopping Dujardin from competing in nationwide competitors or coaching occasions throughout the identical interval.
“I absolutely respect the decision issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports activities (FEI), launched as we speak,” Dujardin mentioned.
“Because the federation has recognised, my actions within the video don’t mirror who I’m and I can solely apologise once more. I perceive the duty that comes with my place within the sport, and I’ll eternally purpose to do higher.
“This has undoubtedly been one of many darkest and most troublesome durations of my life, and I wish to take this chance to thank everybody who has supported me throughout this time.”
Dujardin’s six Olympic medals, comprising three gold, a silver and two bronze, are the joint most of any British feminine Olympian, alongside former observe bike owner Dame Laura Kenny’s 5 golds and a silver.
Dujardin was provisionally suspended on 23 July for “participating in conduct opposite to the ideas of horse welfare”, at some point after the FEI obtained a video displaying her excessively whipping a horse throughout a coaching session at a personal secure.
The FEI mentioned the footage of the coaching session didn’t represent some other rule violations and added that there haven’t been any additional complaints raised towards Dujardin’s conduct because the video emerged.
“These vital sanctions ship a transparent message that anybody, no matter their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face severe penalties,” FEI secretary common Sabrina Ibanez mentioned.
“We imagine this consequence reaffirms the FEI’s dedication to equine welfare and to its function as guardian of our equine companions.”
Ibanez added it was “regrettable” the case had put the game within the information for “all of the flawed causes” main as much as the Paris Video games however mentioned the FEI had acted decisively by beginning an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension on the video rising.
Dujardin withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics, the place she was attributable to characterize Group GB, after admitting she was the individual within the video.
UK Sport says Dujardin is “ineligible to obtain public funding and publicly funded advantages” whereas she serves her suspension and any future funding past the FEI sanction “might be reviewed”.
Chief government of British Equestrian, Jim Eyre, mentioned the welfare and moral therapy of horses “has all the time been a precedence”.
“We’ll proceed to work with our member our bodies tirelessly to uphold the integrity of our sports activities by way of enforcement, schooling, and development in our data,” he added.
And British Dressage mentioned it’s “united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance strategy” concerning mistreatment of horses.
“We launched the constitution for the horse final yr and stay completely dedicated to upholding these requirements,” chief government Jason Brautigam mentioned.
“Working intently with our colleagues throughout the federation, we are going to proceed to collectively put the well being, care and wellbeing of the horse on the coronary heart of all the pieces we do, and proactively exhibit that equestrian sport is carried out in an moral and accountable method.”
