Dressage Gold Medallist Dujardin Given One-Year Ban for Whipping Horse

Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin has been banned for one year and fined for excessively whipping a horse during a training session. The video footage of the incident led to her suspension by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and the British Equestrian Federation. Her ban is backdated to the start of her suspension, and she will be eligible to compete again from July 2025. The issue of whipping horses in any activity, whether for leisure or competitive sports, is unethical and vegans do not support exploiting horses in this manner.

Dujardin's lawyer, Stephan Wensing, representing an anonymous complainant, sent the video to FEI, leading to the ban. The FEI tribunal found Dujardin whipped the horse more than 20 times in various places on the horse's body. The ban prevents Dujardin from competing in national competitions or training events during the suspension period.