Rhiannon Ingle
Warning: This article contains descriptions of animal cruelty that some readers may find upsetting
Team GB dressage star, Charlotte Dujardin, has recently been forced to pull out of the 2024 games in Paris after an extremely disturbing video of her abusing a horse was released by a whistleblower.
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.
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The video in question - shared today 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 it's legs.
The lawyer of the individual who shared the clip, Stephan Wensing, has since revealed why his client released the video, which was subsequently filed as part of a complaint on her behalf with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), which resulted in Dujardin's ban.
"It's not fun to ruin a career," he began.
Speaking about his client, Wensing continued: "She's not celebrating; she doesn't feel like a hero.
"But she told me this morning this had to be done because she wants to save dressage."
He told Horses.nl she had 'long hesitated' about filing a complaint but, in the end, decided she 'could not bring themselves to allow Dujardin to win medals at the Olympics' while knowing about the video.
"It’s unacceptable that dressage sport should be accompanied by animal abuse," Wensing carried on.
"If top-level sport can only be performed in such a way that the welfare of the horse is compromised, then top-level sport should be abolished."
He urged: "Everyone who deals with horses has their own responsibility in this, and this also applies to bystanders who become aware of excesses.
"Equestrian sport must regulate itself and ensure that there can never be a discussion about horse welfare in sport again.
Charlotte Dujardin, Britain's joint-most decorated female Olympian, has been provisionally suspended & will not compete at Paris 2024.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 24, 2024
This video has emerged of the dressage star which she said showed her 'making an error of judgement'. pic.twitter.com/PQ9rPQTD04
"This is a very important task for the jury members who have lost sight of the core value of dressage for far too long and have overvalued spastic movements of horses."
The lawyer added: "It’s extremely sad that one of the most successful riders in the world has to pay the price.
"But this rider has also not taken any responsibility and this cannot go unpunished.
"The federations and in particular the FEI can be expected to take even more adequate action against animal abuse, precisely to ensure the continued existence of equestrian sports."
Dujardin previously said in a statement: "A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
"Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.
"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. 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.
"I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete."
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.