With the Paris 2024 Olympics just around the corner, the equestrian world has been shaken by Charlotte Dujardin's withdrawal.
Charlotte Dujardin’s withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympics follows the release of a video showing her “excessively” whipping a horse. The BBC obtained the footage which depicts Dujardin using a long whip around the horse’s legs. Consequently, Dujardin announced her withdrawal, citing a “mistake in judgment,” and both the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and British Equestrian (BEF) as well as British Dressage (BD) have provisionally suspended her.
Dujardin, 39, is famous for winning gold at London 2012 and double bronze at Tokyo 2021. Charlotte Dujardin’s remarkable performances have solidified her status as a prominent figure in the world of equestrian sports. She planned to compete on Imhotep, aiming to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian. However, the FEI confirmed that the footage which Dujardin acknowledged was from several years ago, led her to request the suspension pending the investigation’s outcome.
In reaction to the incident, UK Sport has suspended her funding and the horse welfare charity Brooke has terminated her role as an ambassador. Furthermore, her sponsors, KBIS and Equine LTS have ended their partnerships with her. World Horse Welfare criticized the incident as a wake-up call for prioritizing horse welfare in equestrian sports. Meanwhile, Claire Bass from Humane Society International argued that the problem highlights broader issues within the sport.
Regarding the competition, British dressage will experience changes. Becky Moody will replace Dujardin while Andrew Gould will join as an alternate. The dressage events at Paris 2024 will proceed with this new lineup, beginning on July 30. This controversy has reignited debates over the ethics of equestrian sports. Peta has called for the removal of equestrian events from the Olympics. Additionally, the timing of the video release has raised suspicions with some viewing it as an attempt to sabotage the sport before the Games.
Consequently, the situation has deeply affected the equestrian community and cast a shadow over the upcoming Olympics.
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