Gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin and the scandal that ruined her Olympic career

Great Britain's Charlotte Dujardin was banned from the Paris Olympics following a distressing video showing the former gold medallist whipping a horse "24 times", per The Independent. The video was released by a 19-year-old who had been training with Dujardin.

A lawyer representing the 19-year-old claimant told The Telegraph, "She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute," like the horse was, "an elephant in the circus."

Dujardin had reportedly already pulled out of the Paris Olympics after a video emerged showing what the rider described as an "error in judgment".

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The footage reportedly shows Dujardin mistreating a horse, with the FEI claiming the three-time Olympic champion was, "engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare - during a training session conducted at Ms Dujardin's private stable".

The FEI has revealed Dujardin accepted she was the individual in the video and that she, "requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations".

The FEI initially announced the British rider was suspended for six-months before amending their claim, stating the ban will, "remain in place pending the outcome of the investigation/disciplinary proceedings".

For her part, Dujardin has not made any excuses, saying, "What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse," in a statement.

FEI’s president, Ingmar De Vos, released a statement of his own, "It is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised," per BBC Sport.

De Vos continued, "Charlotte [Dujardin] has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility".

Britain’s most successful female equestrian missed Paris 2024 with Beth Moody and her horse Jagerbomb replacing her and winning bronze in the dressage event, per BBC Sport.

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