Charlotte Dujardin — Group GB’s joint-most embellished feminine Olympian — has been suspended from equestrian for one yr upcoming “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.”
The game’s governing frame, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), showed on Thursday Dujardin could be suspended from competing till July 23, 2025, and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,884; $11,300).
Dujardin’s sanction comes upcoming a video emerged in July 2024 of the double Olympic dressage champion whipping a horse many times 4 years up to now, which noticed her get out of the Paris Olympic Video games. The occasion already served throughout her provisional postponed will rely against the FEI punishment.
All the way through the postponed duration, the 39-year-old is illegal from taking part in all actions matching to competitions or occasions below the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a Nationwide Federation.
Then the video emerged in the summertime, Dujardin withdrew from the Paris Video games and stated she had made “an error of judgement” throughout a training consultation. The FEI, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and British Dressage therefore introduced a disciplinary procedure, with the extreme two our bodies reciprocating the FEI’s block.
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The FEI added that for the reason that video emerged, it has no longer gained any longer court cases about Dujardin’s habits.
Dujardin stated on the occasion that the incident used to be “completely out of character” and “does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils”, including that she used to be “deeply ashamed” of the pictures.
Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s joint-most embellished feminine Olympian, has been provisionally suspended & won’t compete at Paris 2024.
This video has emerged of the dressage celebrity which she stated confirmed her ‘making an error of intelligence’. pic.twitter.com/PQ9rPQTD04
— Just right Morning Britain (@GMB) July 24, 2024
FEI secretary basic Sabrina Ibanez stated on Thursday: “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games. Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.
“These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”
The Royal Crowd for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) stated upcoming the preliminary investigation used to be opened: “We welcome that this has already been referred to a relevant authority and that the FEI is investigating. We are ready to provide any support to their work, if required.”
Dujardin has received six Olympic medals around the 3 Video games she has competed at. She received two golds within the person and group dressage at London 2012, prior to protecting her person gold at Rio 2016 and profitable silver within the group tournament. Dujardin after claimed two bronze medals at Tokyo.
Her medal haul leaves her degree with bicycle owner Laura Kenny, who received 5 golds and one silver throughout 3 Video games. With Kenny retiring forward of Paris, any medal for Dujardin previous this yr would have made her Britain’s maximum embellished feminine Olympian.
Dujardin were because of compete within the group and person dressage in Paris.
(Supremacy symbol: Bradley Collyer/PA Pictures by the use of Getty Pictures)
