Who is Charlotte Dujardin? Olympic champion admits 'error in judgement'

PARIS − Charlotte Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medalist in dressage who was expected to compete for gold at this year's Games, withdrew from competition late Tuesday after she made what she called "an error in judgement during a coaching session" in her treatment of a horse.

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports announced later Tuesday it had accepted Dujardin's request for a provisional suspension while it investigates the incident. The suspension covers competition in the Olympics, which begins Saturday with team dressage.

Who is Charlotte Dujardin?

Dujardin, 39, is Britain's co-most decorated female Olympian ever having won team and individual medals in the past three Olympics. She won team and individual gold at the 2012 London Games, an individual gold and team silver at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, and team and individual bronze in the pandemic-delayed Games in Tokyo in 2021.

Dujardin began riding horses at the age of 2, according to her website, and began competing a year later, but did not train in dressage until her teens. According to a 2016 profile in New Yorker Magazine, Dujardin's father once spent $50,000 on a show pony for his daughters, but had to sell the pony years later amid financial difficulties.

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Dujardin set world records in all three dressage disciplines, Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, and took silver at the European Championships in 2023. She wears a crash helmet rather than the customary top hat during competitions, and once guest starred on the Netflix show "Free Rein."

What did Dujardin do?

The television show "Good Morning Britain" posted a video on social media Wednesday that reportedly shows Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse during a training session.

Dujardin said in her social media statement Tuesday that a video "from four years ago" showed her making an error of judgement she is "deeply ashamed" of.

The international federation, in its statement, said it received a video Monday "depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare."

The video, the FEI said, was submitted by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant from a private stable, and that Dujardin "confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate."

A lawyer representing the unidentified 19-year old complainant sent the video to the FEI and told The Guardian that the incident took place several years ago during a training session at a private facility.

“Charlotte Dujardin was in the middle of the arena,” the attorney, Stephan Wensing, told the UK-based publication. “She said to the student: ‘Your horse must lift up the legs more in the canter.’ She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute. It was like an elephant in the circus."

What they're saying about the incident

Dujardin apologized for the incident in her statement and vowed to cooperate with the FEI's investigation.

"What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse," she wrote. "I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.

"I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors."

FEI president Ingmar De Vos said in a statement the federation is "deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

"However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised,” De Vos said in his statement. “Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”