Six-time Olympic medalist Charlotte Dujardin had been hoping to become Britain's most decorated Olympian but was sensationally forced to pull out of the games today.
The queen of Team GB's dressage team has been banned from the sport just days before the Paris Olympics after a video emerged of her allegedly whipping a horse on its legs repeatedly.
The sporting body said it was sent the clip yesterday - just three days before Friday's Opening Ceremony where Dujardin was tipped to be among the contenders to be the flag bearer for Team GB. Team GB 's Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has withdrawn from the Paris Games over a video showing her making an 'error of judgement'The six-time Olympic medallist was among the contenders to be the flag bearer for Team GB at Friday's Opening Ceremony.
'I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.' 'On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video depicting Ms. Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant.The 39-year-old could have become Britain's most decorated female Olympian in Paris
'Ms Dujardin was given a deadline of 17:00 Swiss time on 23 July to respond to the allegations. Subsequently, Ms. Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate. 'However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised.
The decision to withdraw is understood to be made by Dujardin and was her choice -she did not travel to Paris and remains in the UK. The website added that the matter related to 'animal abuse' from a video which they said was made two-and-a-half years ago, according to the complainant. They add that the video captured Dujardin 'hitting a student's horse with a whip from the ground'.The report adds the complainant had 'long hesitated' before raising the matter with authorities and quotes Wensing, who says: 'It is unacceptable that dressage sport should be accompanied by animal abuse.
'The federations and in particular the FEI can be expected to take even more adequate action against animal abuse, precisely to ensure the continued existence of equestrian sports.'She began riding at just two-years-old and achieved second place at her first Pony Club show jumping competition when she was three.
During the London games, she was accompanied by a very patriotic soundtrack, which included the theme music to The Great Escape, Big Ben's chimes and Land of Hope and Glory.
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