Three-time Olympic equestrian champion Charlotte Dujardin has been handed a one-year competition ban following a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games in July.
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports provisionally suspended Dujardin on July 23 as it began investigating a video from four years ago.
The footage showed her repeatedly whipping a horse while coaching another rider.
Dutch equine lawyer Stephan Wensing filed a complaint with the FEI on behalf of an anonymous client, prompting the inquiry.
Dujardin’s suspension, effective from July 23, prevents her from competing until the same date next year. Alongside the ban, the FEI imposed a 10,000 Swiss francs ($11,300) fine, citing her for “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.”
The 39-year-old athlete secured gold medals in both team and individual dressage at the 2012 London Olympics and clinched another individual gold in Rio 2016.
At the Tokyo Games in 2021, she earned bronze in both team and individual events, adding a team silver to her accolades from Rio.
