Triple Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has been embroiled in fresh controversy over her treatment of horses after complaints were raised over her warm-up before an event in Amsterdam.
A near eight-minute video was shared on social media by the welfare organisation Collectif Pour Les Chevaux – Collective for Horses – which critiqued Dujardin’s riding on the mare Alive and Kicking.
The organisation highlighted Dujardin’s use of spurs on her boots and holding of Alive and Kicking on a firm, tight rein in the video.
The account alleged the mare had showed ‘conflict behaviour’ through its mouth and tail in response to Dujardin’s riding, with the British rider accused of ‘unethical’ approaches during the video.
Footage had been taken by equine vet Eva van Avermaet, who started the welfare organisation five years ago.
Speaking to the Times, Van Avermaet was critical of Dujardin’s handling of the horse and expressed surprise given that the 40-year-old had returned from a ban last year following a horse-whipping controversy ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Charlotte Dujardin has been embroiled in fresh controversy over her treatment of horses after complaints were raised over her warm-up before an event in Amsterdam
A video has been shared by a horse welfare organisation critiquing Dujardin’s horsemanship
The video alleged the mare Alive and Kicking had showed ‘conflict behaviours’ due to Dujardin’s approach
‘I’ve never seen Dujardin go this hard in a warm-up before,’ Van Avermaet said.
Two: Dujardin was in a public space, where it is common for people to film the riders, so why did she not relent?
‘After the whipping incident and the one-year suspension surely she, more than anyone, would be careful about how they handle their horse, especially in public.’
Van Avermaet added that she had reported Dujardin to a steward, but noticed no difference in how she was riding after they had spoken to her.
Dujardin is not the only star whose riding has been critiqued by the horse welfare organisation, with similar videos having been shared featuring other leading names in the sport.
A representative for Dujardin referred Daily Mail Sport to a British Equestrian Federation (BEF) statement when approached for a comment.
According to the Times, the BEF did not answer questions over whether it approved of Dujardin’s riding in Amsterdam or whether met their standards or was a good example of welfare.
The organisation, however, reportedly said it was impossible to give an accurate assessment of the riding presented due to the clip being a shortened version of a 45-minute warm-up.
‘We will not compromise and will never stop in the pursuit of the wellbeing of the horse,’ the BEF had told the Times.
The BEF declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Sport.
The three-time Olympic champion, however, has been in the spotlight after returning to the sport in July after serving a one-year ban.
The ban had been imposed by the International Equestrian Federation for ‘engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare’ after a video emerged of her ‘excessively whipping a horse’ during a coaching session four years prior.
Footage had emerged ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics of Dujardin ‘excessively whipping a horse’, leading to her issuing an apology and pulling out of the Games
Dujardin had received a one-year ban from the sport, which came to an end last July
The International Equestrian Federation had been sent a video of Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse by Dutch equine lawyer Stephan Wensing on behalf of an unnamed client.
Dujardin admitted to an ‘error of judgement’ after the video footage surfaced just days before the Olympics in Paris, which led to her pulling out of the Games.
In the wake of the scandal, Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian was ditched by sponsors and was dropped as an ambassador by global horse welfare charity Brooke.
After being provisionally suspended by the FEI the same month, Dujardin was hit by a one-year ban in December – backdated to the start of her original sanction.
Dujardin had made an instant return to competition in July when her ban came to an end, competing in Cirencester. She then featured in international events, winning in Le Mans in October and finishing as the runner-up at a competition in Kronenberg.
The competitions had helped Dujardin qualify for the World Cup in London, her biggest event since returning from the ban, where she placed fifth.
Dujardin has yet to speak to media since her return to competition, but told organisers she was ‘very emotional’ following the warm reception she had received on the first day of the event back in December.
Dujardin competed at the Dressage World Cup in London in December, where she thanked fans for the warm reception she had received
‘Just going back in that arena, there is something so special about riding here, it is incredibly special,’ Dujardin said.
‘Going around the edge and having so many people shout “go on Charlotte”, it was very emotional.
‘It was so good, it gave me a real buzz to be back. I thoroughly enjoyed it and in the test I could not have done anymore with her [Alive and Kicking]. She did her best, there is still so much more to come but on the whole I can’t ask for more.’
Dujardin’s next competition was the Amsterdam World Cup event last month, where the warm-up video was taken.
Dujardin finished sixth at the event.
