Doubts raised over disturbing video that forced British competitor to withdraw from Olympics
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images/Leon Neal/Getty Images
Warning: This article contains descriptions of animal cruelty that some readers may find upsetting
Doubts have been raised over the extremely disturbing footage that forced a British competitor to withdraw from Olympics.
Team GB dressage star Charlotte Dujardin has recently been forced to pull out of the 2024 Olympic games in Paris after the video of her appearing to abuse a horse was released by a whistleblower.
Jason Brautigam, the CEO of British Dressage, has acknowledged that Dujardin's actions were 'completely unacceptable', but challenged the footage in question being released in the hopes to 'save dressage'.
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The 39-year-old, who would have been taking part in equestrian events this weekend, said she made 'an error of judgement' during a coaching session four years ago.
The video in question - shared earlier this week by Good Morning Britain - shows Dujardin repeatedly hitting a horse with a whip 'more than 24 times in one minute' during a lesson with a 19-year-old female student that took place in her private stable.
In the upsetting clip, the horse jumps and bucks slightly as the whip comes into contact with its legs.
In a letter published yesterday evening (25 July), Brautigam declared: "I do find claims that this was done to 'save dressage' somewhat disingenuous, given that it was timed to cause maximum damage to our sport.
"However, what will save dressage is how we all respond to this crisis by demonstrating our love and care for horses."
The head of the sporting body added that it had been 'an extremely upsetting time for everyone involved in the sport' and the community had been 'let down'.
"Let me be clear: the actions we have witnessed in that video are completely unacceptable," Brautigam continued. "We have all been shocked and appalled by this indefensible conduct.
"As I have always said, the horse is at the heart of everything we do in British Dressage, and equine welfare must always be paramount above all other considerations."
He also rejected claims British Dressage had seen the video before its release and also said members have a 'duty of care' to the disgraced equestrian.
Brautigam carried on: "Charlotte Dujardin has done the right thing by accepting responsibility and expressing remorse.
"While we do not condone her behaviour, we must remember that there is also a human element to this – and, regardless of what has happened, she still deserves our understanding."
He added: "Please be kind and bear in mind that we have a duty of care in our interactions with one another."
If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's national animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 from 8am to 5pm seven days a week, or visit their website for further advice.