British triple Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin in new horse treatment video controversy – two years after she quit Paris Games over ‘excessive whipping’ clip
British triple Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin in new horse treatment video controversy – two years after she quit Paris Games over ‘excessive whipping’ clip
Charlotte Dujardin, the three-time Olympic dressage gold medalist, has once again drawn criticism for her handling of horses following a recent video shared by a welfare group. The footage, posted on social media by Collectif Pour Les Chevaux, focuses on her warm-up routine with a mare named Alive and Kicking during an event in Amsterdam.
Welfare group highlights concerns over Dujardin’s technique
The video scrutinizes her use of spurs on her boots and her grip on the horse’s reins, suggesting these actions may have caused discomfort. The organization argues that the mare displayed signs of distress, including head movements and tail activity, during the session.
“I’ve never seen Dujardin go this hard in a warm-up before,” said Eva van Avermaet, the equine vet who captured the footage. “Given her previous issues with whipping, why wasn’t she more mindful this time?”
Van Avermaet, founder of the welfare organization, emphasized that Dujardin had been suspended for a year earlier due to a similar controversy before the Paris 2024 Olympics. The video in question shows her repeatedly striking a student’s horse, prompting the International Equestrian Federation to impose a backdated ban.
BEF defends Dujardin’s riding practices
Despite the criticism, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has not commented directly on the Amsterdam incident. A BEF representative stated that the clip was a condensed version of a longer 45-minute warm-up, making it difficult to assess the full context. The federation’s stance, as reported by the Times, highlights their commitment to horse welfare.
“We will not compromise and will never stop in the pursuit of the wellbeing of the horse,” the BEF asserted.
Dujardin, who returned to competition in July after her one-year ban, has since participated in several events. She won in Le Mans and placed second in Kronenberg, securing her spot in the London World Cup. However, the recent video has reignited questions about her methods, especially after her initial withdrawal from the Paris Games due to the whipping scandal.
Previous controversy and its aftermath
The prior incident involved a video submitted by Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, which depicted Dujardin excessively whipping a horse during a training session. This led to her provisional suspension by the FEI and a subsequent one-year ban. The controversy also resulted in her losing sponsorships and being removed as an ambassador by the Brooke charity.
Following her return to the sport, Dujardin has competed in events such as Cirencester and Le Mans, demonstrating her ability to regain form. Yet, the latest footage has placed her under renewed scrutiny, with critics questioning whether her approach aligns with the sport’s welfare standards.
