Charlotte Dujardin, Britain’s triple Olympic dressage champion, opened up about feeling “very emotional” after receiving a warm welcome from the crowd during her highest-profile event since returning to the sport.
A Standing Ovation at the London International Horse Show
Competing at the London International Horse Show at the ExCeL Centre, Dujardin rode her horse, Alive and Kicking, through the Grand Prix test and finished the opening day in second place.
Applause erupted from the audience as she waved to fans, leaving the British star visibly moved.
“Going back in that arena, it’s incredibly special,” Dujardin said.
“Hearing people shout ‘go on Charlotte’ as I went around the edge—it was very emotional and gave me a real buzz to be back.”
Coming Back After a Ban
Dujardin returned to competition in July after serving a one-year ban imposed by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
The ban followed a video showing her excessively whipping a horse during a coaching session, which she acknowledged as an “error of judgement.”
The suspension came just days before the Paris Olympics, forcing Dujardin to pull out of the Games, and also led to sponsors withdrawing support and a termination of her ambassador role with global horse welfare charity Brooke.
Building Momentum on the International Stage
Since her ban ended, Dujardin has gradually rebuilt her career, competing successfully in Cirencester, winning in Le Mans, and finishing as runner-up in Kronenberg.
These performances helped her qualify for the World Cup in London, marking her return to the sport’s top tier.
Competing on Alive and Kicking, co-owned with Carl Hester and Ulrike Bachinger, Dujardin was the second of fifteen riders in the Grand Prix event.
Her early start came as a result of her ranking following her absence.
Triumph Amid Challenges
Despite concerns about how she would be received, the crowd’s support quickly erased any doubts.
Introduced with an extensive list of achievements, Dujardin was met with a “huge ovation,” and her score of 76.544 reflected her skill and composure under pressure.
She admitted that her horse, nicknamed Audrey, was inexperienced in large arenas, which made the performance all the more impressive.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed,” Dujardin said.
“Audrey has done one show this year and has never been in an atmosphere this big.
There’s so much going on—it was a really big ask.”
Life Beyond the Saddle
Off the arena, Dujardin welcomed her second child earlier this year with husband Chris.
Reflecting on the past year, she described the ban and its aftermath as “one of the darkest and most difficult periods” of her life, thanking supporters who reached out during that time.
Remembering a Legendary Partner
Earlier this month, Dujardin also paid tribute to Valegro, the horse that brought her global fame by winning gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Her heartfelt Instagram post described the bond they shared: “You have been my constant, my rock… a partnership that everyone talks about, but you can’t really know until you’ve experienced it.”
A Hopeful Return to Dressage
Dujardin’s strong performance in London signals a promising return to top-level dressage, showing that her talent and connection with her horses remain as powerful as ever.
Fans and fellow competitors alike celebrated her reemergence on the world stage, reminding everyone why she is one of Britain’s most decorated and respected riders.
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