British Olympian and equestrian icon Charlotte Dujardin now finds herself at the center of a storm as calls for a ‘lifetime ban’ grow louder after a shocking horse-whipping video surfaced. Her video of whipping a horse came to light in July (which was reported to be four years old). The video footage was submitted by a lawyer to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), representing an anonymous complaint.

This is not the first time that someone has been trolled or faced such consequences because they whipped a horse, mistreated them otherwise to train them better, or enhanced their performances. Trainer Bob Baffert was banned as he was found responsible for the deaths of horses (given a string of thyroid hormones). Even renowned model Kendall Jenner was trolled for supposedly mistreating her horse by using a gag bit. However, considering that Dujardin’s case is much more severe in comparison, she is now facing backlash from equine lovers. 

Is Dujardin’s career over due to horsewhipping?

Three-time Olympian Charlotte Dujardin got into trouble just before the 2024 Paris Olympics when a video of her whipping a horse came to light. In the video, Dujardin is seen repeatedly whipping around the horse’s legs, and some other person is sitting on the horse. The video is to be said of some training sessions.

Though the video was recorded four years back, this is a serious case of unfair treatment. Hence, the case went to the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and took exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics. She withdrew from all the championships or competitions while the process took place. What’s happening now?

The British Equestrian (BEF) and British Dressage (BD) also imposed the provisional ban. Now, the FEI has given the final decision, and Charlotte Dujardin is fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (£8,886) and given a ban of one year (counted from July). Dujardin will be able to compete or appear in any training events from July 2025. The fans are showing their anger over her whipping and claiming a lifetime ban.

Kelvin MacKenzie, editor of the newspaper, ‘The Sun,’ posted on ‘X’ about the case and talked about the error of judgment. The post reads, “Surprised Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin escaped with only a year ban from competition after a video showed her excessive whipping of a horse while coaching. She described it as ‘an error of judgment.’ I wonder how many other ‘errors’ there might have been over the years.” The equestrian fans are showing their concern over the mistreatment.

“Feel sorry for the horse,” fans are in outrage against the current decision on Charlotte Dujardin

The video of Dujardin and the horse has sparked intense backlash online, with viewers questioning her actions and expressing outrage at the apparent mistreatment of the horse. Equestrian fans are outraged on social media. As one commented, “The outrage du jour! Isn’t it quaint how ‘error of judgment’ becomes the preferred euphemism once the whipping gets caught on film?” In a statement in July, she called the incident an “error of judgment.” She said, “A video has emerged from four years ago that shows me making an error of judgment during a coaching session.” 

The emotional toll on the horse didn’t go unnoticed as one user commented, “Probably a lot, lol. Feel sorry for the horse 😔.” The incident of horse mistreatment has left people in sadness and raised concerns over their safety. Another said, “Should be a lifetime ban if she can do that to a defenseless animal. I shudder to think what she would do to a human being; at least they can fight back.” They are concerned for accountability and the call for harsher penalties; previously, some even debated Charlotte Dujardin’s retirement.

Although one of them backed Dujardin and confronted MacKenzie. The user wrote, “Of course, you’ve never made a mistake in the time you fronted the Sun newspaper.” For some, the video resonated on a deeply personal level. One commented, “The video of Charlotte Dujardin & the horse is so f—-ng disgusting. As someone who’s grown up training dressage & show jumping, I’m so upset about the poor horse.” The feelings of betrayal can be sensed from the comments by equestrians and animal lovers. Though she has been given only a one-year ban, this is not a good sign for Dujardin’s future.