December 6, 2024 
On December 5th, 2024, the FEI sentenced British Olympic dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin to a one-year suspension and a fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs after equine welfare concerns arose in July 2024.
Dujardin, six-time Olympic medalist, faced intense internet backlash after a video surfaced of her repeatedly whipping a horse during a training session at a private barn. The video was submitted to the FEI on July 22, 2024. The FEI launched an investigation into Dujardin and her organization. She voluntarily removed herself from the British Olympic team for Paris 2024 Games and was promptly placed under suspension.
The FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez 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.”
The FEI cited three charges against Dujardin for the abuse of 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 the horse.
British Equestrian (BEF) and British Dressage (BD) mirrored the FEI’s ruling against Dujardin. This will prohibit Dujardin from competing in national and international competitions until the year-long suspension period ends. All organizations recognized this was Dujardin’s first offense. No other violations were found in the video and Dujardin cooperated with FEI investigations.
The provisional suspension period will count towards the year long suspension, meaning Dujardin will be eligible to return to competition in July 2025.
After the release of the official verdict from the FEI, Dujardin posted a statement on her Instagram page responding to the FEI’s ruling and announcing her second pregnancy. It was her first post since the formal charges were submitted to FEI in July 2024.
“I fully respect the verdict issued by the [FEI], released today…my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologize again,” wrote Dujardin.
The full press-release on behalf of the FEI can be found here.
