Charlotte Dujardin pulls out of Olympics as video emerges of ‘error of judgement’

Charlotte Dujardin, one of the stars of Team GB ahead of the Olympics, has been provisionally suspended from the Paris Games after she was filmed allegedly mistreating a horse in a training session at her private stables.

Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion, earlier withdrew from all competition due to a video that shows the dressage rider “making an error of judgement during a coaching session” four years ago.

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) confirmed in a statement that it had been sent footage of Dujardin “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare”.

Dujardin was bidding to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian at this summer’s Games in Paris. In a statement, she said she “deeply ashamed” and the incident “was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils”.

The 39-year-old withdrew from all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigated the footage, and the organisation has now decided to susepnded Dujardin for six months while it continues its investation.

The content of the video in question, which has resurfaced just days before the Olympics begin, is currently unknown but it was reportedly sent to the FEI directly by someone who wishes to remain anonymous.

A statement from Dujardin on Tuesday said: “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 (FEl) 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 FEl, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.”

The Olympics opening ceremony is on Friday while the dressage competition at Paris 2024 is scheduled to begin on 30 July, at the Chateau de Versailles.

A medal of any colour would have taken Dujardin ahead of cyclist Laura Kenny as Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, with the pair currently tied on six medals.

Dujardin won team and individual gold medals at London 2012 and won individual gold and team silver four years later in Rio, competing in both games on horse Valegro.

Dujardin had a different horse, Gio, at the delayed Tokyo Games three years ago and she was set to ride Imhotep this summer in Paris.

Gio, a diminutive horse who was bought as a five-year by Dujardin following Rio, was then sold just months after the Tokyo Games.

One of the biggest controversies of the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 was a German modern pentathlon coach being thrown out of the Olympics for punching a horse.

The incident triggered a major overhaul of a historic sport and resulted in the equestrian element being removed completely ahead of the Paris Games.

Speaking ahead of the Olympics, Dujardin believed she had a “really good chance” of success in Paris, where she was scheduled to compete in the individual dressage and team event, alongside Carl Hester and Lottie Fry.

Of her chances of making British Olympic history, Dujardin said: “It will be one of the most incredible moments if that does happen, but I don’t put any pressure on myself to make that happen.”

The Independent has contacted FEI and British Equestrian for comment