Team GB’s Charlotte Dujardin suspended after video shows her ‘hitting horse’s legs’
23 July 2024, 17:52 | Updated: 23 July 2024, 22:17
Three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has been suspended from competing in the Paris games after a video showed her 'repeatedly hitting a horse on the legs'.
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She was officially suspended pending an investigation by the International Federation of Equestrians this evening.
In a video obtained by a Dutch lawyer, Ms Dujardin can be seen whipping the horse's legs during a slow-motion trot, MailOnline reports.
Read More: Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin ‘whipped horse 24 times like an elephant in the circus’, claims lawyer
Dujardin, Britain's joint-most decorated female olympian, said there was “no excuse” as she claimed to be “deeply ashamed” of the “error of judgment”.
The six-time Olympic medallist decided to pull out of all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigates the video, which was taken four years ago.
The 39-year-old dressage medallist is also under investigation from the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage.
She has said in a statement: "A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
She continued: "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."
Read more: Andy Murray to retire from tennis after competing at 2024 Paris Olympics
She had been expected to compete in both the individual dressage and team event in Paris.
Dujardin won team and individual gold medals at the London 2012 Games before claiming individual gold and team silver four years later in Rio and two bronzes at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games.
Dujardin was set to compete in the individual dressage and team event alongside Carl Hester and world champion Lottie Fry.
She needed just one more medal to become outright most-decorated British female Olympian ahead of now-retired cyclist Dame Laura Kenny.
Becky Moody is Team GB's alternate for the team event with her horse Jagerbomb.
