Charlotte Dujardin Banned One Year for Animal Cruelty

Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic dressage gold medalist, has been banned for one year and fined 10,000 Swiss francs following the emergence of a video showing her whipping a horse excessively during a training session. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and prompted her to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was expected to become Great Britain's most medaled female Olympian. The FEI stated that Dujardin's actions constituted a serious breach of horse welfare principles, leading to her provisional suspension that began on July 23, which will count towards her one-year ban. British Equestrian and British Dressage are also enforcing the suspension, preventing her from competing in national events. Dujardin has expressed deep remorse over the incident, admitting her actions were an error of judgment and not representative of her usual training practices. The FEI emphasized that the case underscores their commitment to equine welfare, stating that serious consequences will follow misconduct in the sport.