British triple Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin in new horse treatment video controversy – two years after she quit Paris Games over ‘excessive whipping’ clip

British Equestrian Star Charlotte Dujardin Faces New Horse Welfare Criticism

Charlotte Dujardin, the three-time Olympic dressage gold medalist, has drawn fresh criticism for her handling of horses following a video released by the French horse welfare group Collectif Pour Les Chevaux. The footage, shared online, focuses on her warm-up routine with the mare Alive and Kicking during an event in Amsterdam.

The organization’s analysis claims Dujardin employed aggressive techniques, including persistent use of spurs and a restrictive rein, during the clip. They argue the horse displayed signs of distress through its mouth and tail, suggesting the rider’s methods may be inconsistent with welfare standards.

“I’ve never observed Dujardin apply such intensity during a warm-up before,” remarked Eva van Avermaet, the equine vet behind the video. “Given her prior whipping-related suspension, one would expect more caution in public settings.”

Van Avermaet highlighted the contradiction of Dujardin’s recent return to competition after a one-year ban, which followed a controversial clip from the Paris 2024 Olympics. That video had shown her excessively whipping a student’s horse, prompting an apology and her withdrawal from the Games.

Return to Competition Amid Ongoing Scrutiny

Dujardin, who re-entered the sport in July following her suspension, has since competed in Cirencester and secured victories in Le Mans and Kronenberg. Her upcoming event in London marks her most significant return since the ban. However, the welfare group continues to question her practices, citing the Amsterdam footage as a recent example.

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has not yet responded to inquiries about the incident, but Van Avermaet noted the clip was a condensed version of a 45-minute warm-up. This, she explained, complicates efforts to fully assess Dujardin’s approach.

Despite the backlash, Dujardin remains a prominent figure in the sport. The controversy has reignited debates about the balance between performance and animal welfare, particularly after her previous one-year ban for the whipping incident. Her sponsors and roles as an ambassador have also been affected, with the Brooke charity distancing itself from her following the Paris scandal.