Disgraced Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin handed punishment after disturbing video of her whipping horse leaked
Former Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin has received her punishment after leaked footage of the Brit whipping a horse emerged before Paris 2024.
The 39-year-old, who was awarded a CBE in 2017 for services to equestrianism, was due to compete in her fourth Olympic Games in Paris.
Dujardin was chasing her fifth gold medal after winning two each at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games.
But days before the Games in Paris was due to begin, a video was 'leaked' online which allegedly showed Dujardin whipping a horse 24 times.
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The video was sent directly to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) just two days before the Games got underway.
You can see the video, which was shown on ITV's Good Morning Britain, below - with a warning that it contains scenes that viewers may find distressing.
In a statement released shortly afterwards, Dujardin did not reference the incident but did accept that she made 'an error of judgment' and was 'deeply ashamed'.
The Brit withdrew from her planned equestrian events in Paris after being suspended, and UK Sport halted her funding pending the outcome of an FEI investigation into her conduct.
Now, Dujardin's punishment has been announced.
She has been suspended from participating in all international and national competitions or events for a period of one year, with the FEI, British Equestrian and British Dressage all applying the sanction.
The time she has been provisionally - since July - has been deducted from the total sanction, meaning Dujardin will be able to return to action in July 2025.
She has also been fined a total of 10,000 Swiss Francs (around £8,800).
In a statement, the FEI wrote: "It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.
"These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences."
BBC Sport report that the FEI's proceedings were based around three charges surrounding abuse of a horse, conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute, and breach of the FEI code of conduct on the welfare of a horse.
Topics: Olympics
Ryan Smart