Olympic legend 'whips horse like elephant in circus' in sickening video after Paris 2024 withdrawal

Olympic legend Charlotte Dujardin has been shown repeatedly whipping a horse in shocking footage that has emerged after she withdrew from Paris 2025.

Just days before the Games' Opening Ceremony, the six-time Olympic medalist pulled out of the competition following the emergence of a video that led her to admit an "making an error of judgement".

The 39-year-old dressage star is now facing an investigation by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) after they received the incriminating footage. She has chosen to "withdraw from all competition while this process takes place".

The video released on TV show Good Morning Britain captures Dujardin at her sand school during a training session. While a trainee rider is on the horse, Dujardin, who is on the ground, appears to whip the horse's legs as many as 24 times.

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Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, representing his client, claims the video dates back to 2022 when his client sponsored a young rider to take a lesson with Dujardin. He described the incident as the horse being whipped "like an elephant in a circus", with Dujardin delivering two dozen strikes with a whip "one minute and really hard, really harsh, really tough."

The person who recorded the training session was reportedly discouraged from filing an official complaint at the time due to Dujardin's esteemed status.

Dujardin's partner Dean Golding was tight-lipped but shared: "I can't say anything beyond Charlotte's statement. All we can do is wait and see what happens. Charlotte is obviously cooperating with the equestrian authorities for now."

The British Equestrian (BEF) and British Dressage (BD) released a joint statement confirming the serious turn of events: "British Equestrian (BEF) and British Dressage (BD) can confirm that, following an official complaint made to the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) on 22 July 2024, Team GB dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin has withdrawn herself from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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"The complaint outlined allegations of animal welfare misconduct which the FEI will now fully investigate. Miss Dujardin has voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension from the FEI while the investigation takes place.

"Both the BEF and BD have also imposed a provisional suspension on Miss Dujardin from all national and international competition pending the outcome of the FEI investigation."

British Equestrian's Chief Executive, Jim Eyre, expressed his concern over the allegations, stating: "The allegations made are serious and the consequences far reaching but upholding the integrity of our sport remains our priority we are privileged to enjoy the company of horses; we must never compromise on their wellbeing. We will continue to work with the FEI and Charlotte to complete the process."

Jason Brautigam, British Dressage Chief Executive, also weighed in, saying: "We do not condone any behaviour that goes against our guiding principles and take a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our equine welfare policies."

"These historic allegations are deeply upsetting for everyone involved in our sport, but we fully support the FEI investigation and will take any appropriate disciplinary action when this process is complete. Our priority now is to rally behind our athletes and horses representing Team GB in Paris as they take on the responsibility of showcasing the best of our sport on the world stage."

Helen Nicholls, British Equestrian Performance Director and Team GB Equestrian Team Leader, commented on the recent events: "Obviously the events of the last 24 hours have been disappointing on many levels for all affected. No one more than Charlotte Dujardin recognises the part welfare holds in sport and as such has done the right thing in stepping down to allow the FEI tribunal to take place in a timely manner."

"Our focus remains on supporting our athletes to deliver to their potential on the world stage and we look forward to the Games getting underway on Saturday."

A spokesperson for the British Olympic Association confirmed: "The British Olympic Association can confirm the withdrawal of Charlotte Dujardin from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and we acknowledge the seriousness with which she is taking this matter. As a result of her withdrawal, we will be applying to bring in a reserve athlete under the IOC's Late Athlete Replacement rules."

"The BOA takes animal welfare extremely seriously, and we believe that everyone has a responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of horses."