Charlotte Dujardin Loses Olympic Funding as Shocking Video of Horse Mistreatment Surfaces in UK Training Facility

Charlotte Dujardin’s Olympic dreams have been dashed after UK Sport withdrew her funding.

The decision came on the heels of a troubling video surfacing that reportedly shows her mistreating a horse.

The footage, which emerged on Monday, depicts Dujardin using a whip on the horse’s legs in a manner likened to circus acts.

This revelation led to her immediate removal from the Olympics, where she had hoped to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

The six-time Olympic medalist has also been dropped by the horse welfare charity Brooke.

The charity expressed deep disappointment, stating their ethos revolves around kindness and compassion towards horses.

They highlighted that Dujardin’s actions were starkly contrary to these values and, as a result, she will no longer serve as an ambassador for the organization.

Details of the Incident

According to Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, who represents the whistleblower, the video shows Dujardin instructing a young rider while repeatedly whipping the horse’s legs.

Wensing claims that his client had previously sponsored a lesson with Dujardin and witnessed this harsh treatment on multiple occasions. The footage was reportedly filmed during a session where Dujardin was trying to teach the horse a dressage technique known as the ‘piaffe.’

Industry Reaction

Alice Plunkett, a former eventer and current ITV Racing presenter, has called the video deeply unsettling and out of step with standard practices.

She expressed disbelief that someone with Dujardin’s experience and success could resort to such methods. Plunkett emphasized that Dujardin’s actions are unacceptable and do not align with modern standards in horse training.

Dujardin’s Response

In a shocking turn, Dujardin has acknowledged the incident, describing it as an ‘error of judgment’ during a coaching session.

The fallout from this video has significantly impacted her career, leading to a broader discussion on the treatment of horses in competitive sports.