Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic gold winner, was ruled out of the 2024 Paris Games just days before the opening event after a video surfaced showing the equestrian reportedly beating one of her horses.

On Tuesday, July 23, the 39-year-old, who would have represented Team Great Britain this year, apologized for her behavior, claiming the event occurred “four years ago.”

“A video from four years ago has surfaced that shows me making a mistake of judgment during a coaching session,” Dujardin said in an Instagram post.

According to The Guardian, a now 19-year-old former student witnessed the alleged animal mistreatment and filed a complaint against Dujardin.
The anonymous adolescent said that the rider “beat the horse more than 24 times in one minute.” It was like an elephant at the circus.”

According to Dujardin, the incident was “completely out of character” and “does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils.”

“However, there is no excuse,” she went on. “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,” Dujardin wrote, adding that she will “cooperate fully” with the International Federation of Equestrian Sports, British Equestrian Federation, and British Dressage as the investigation continues.

Stephan Wensing, the Dutch lawyer representing the kid who submitted the complaint, explained in a statement why they did not speak up sooner.

“At the time, my client thought this must be normal,” Wensing told The Guardian. “She is an Olympic champion. Who am I to doubt? Upon asking around, my client received a warning not to speak out in the UK. However, last year, my client saw others suspended in the UK and internationally,” Wensing explained.

“And this weekend, she ultimately decided to let me admit the complaint to the FEI, which happened yesterday. “The FEI immediately took this very seriously,” he continued.

The FEI also issued a statement, stating that it acquired video evidence on Monday, July 22, of “Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.”

A lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant submitted this video to the FEI, according to the organization’s spokesperson.

The FEI also stated that Dujardin’s suspension makes her unable to compete in the future Paris 2024 Olympic Games or any other competitions under its supervision.

“We are profoundly upset by this situation, especially given the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. However, FEI President Ingmar De Vos declared that it is our job and critical to handle any cases of misuse, as we cannot jeopardize horse welfare.

“Charlotte has expressed real contrition for her conduct, and we appreciate her willingness to accept responsibility. Despite the unfortunate timing, we feel that this move reinforces the FEI’s dedication to equestrian welfare and the integrity of our sport.

Dujardin has already participated and placed in the Olympics in London in 2012, Rio in 2016, and Tokyo in 2021.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will begin on Friday, July 26, in Paris.