Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin, who was today (Thursday 5 December) handed a one-year ban and a fine by the FEI for ‘excessively’ whipping a horse, has issued a statement on her Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

The GB dressage rider said she ‘fully respected the verdict’ which will see her unable to compete internationally or nationally until July 2025 and required to pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,886).

On 22 July 2024, a video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer on behalf of an undisclosed claimant, which showed Dujardin continually hitting the legs of a horse she was training with a whip.

The FEI immediately started an investigation, the 39-year-old was provisionally suspended and forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics. 

Dujardin revealed the time since July 2024 had ‘undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life’ and thanked those who had supported her saying ‘every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know’.

In the statement, the three-time Olympic gold medallist also announced that she is pregnant with her second child, due in February, something that ‘was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner Dean and I have been excited about for a long time’.

Charlotte Dujardin’s Facebook and Instagram statement in full

“I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today.

“As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.

“This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how I am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.

“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner Dean and I have been excited about for a long time.

“At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”

Charlotte Dujardin, 5th December 2024

The time served during Dujardin’s provisional suspension, which was imposed on 23 July 2024, will be credited towards her one-year suspension meaning she will be eligible to compete in July 2025.

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