‘Deeply ashamed’: GB dressage star Charlotte Dujardin pulls out of Olympics over coaching video
GuardianJul 10
Charlotte Dujardin Out of Olympics for Whipping Horse
Above: Charlotte Dujardin poses with her horse Pete (Imhotep) during a Team GB Paris 2024 Olympic Games equestrian team announcement at Oakelbrook Mill on July 02, 2024 in Newent, England. Image copyright: Dan Istitene/Staff/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Facts
UK equestrian star Charlotte Dujardin, Britain's joint-most decorated female Olympian with six medals, has withdrawn from the Paris Games and "requested to be provisionally suspended" after a video emerged showing her "excessively" whipping a horse.
According to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), the three-time Olympic champion in dressage has admitted her conduct was inappropriate and has fully cooperated with their investigation into the footage.
The Spin
Narrative A
As the Paris Games are about to kick off, a scandal of such magnitude further underscores the need for all equestrian events to be ditched from the Olympics. It's utterly unacceptable that the International Olympic Committee still allows horses to be abused and forced to participate in these competitions.
Narrative B
This incident is undoubtedly shocking, mainly because Dujardin was considered a role model trainer, but there's no reason to tarnish the entire sport's credibility when someone makes a major mistake. The equestrian community has long sought to ensure that horses are treated with kindness and respect, with their welfare as the highest priority.