Is it a genuine revelation, or is it timed perfectly for a sympathy card? Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion, is currently in the midst of one of the darkest and most difficult periods of her life. Just hours after a scandal that rocked her career, the dressage star announced she is expecting her second child. But here’s the thing: many fans were quick to voice their displeasure, accusing her of revealing her pregnancy for “sympathy” during a time when she’s under intense scrutiny.

So, what exactly happened? Well, Charlotte was banned for a year from all equestrian activities after a shocking video surfaced showing her whipping a horse 24 times in just one minute, on the eve of the summer’s Olympics. The scandal led to her missing the Games and had major consequences, losing her damehood, public funding, and an ambassadorial role with an equine charity. The punishment was severe: a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs and a year-long suspension handed down by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).

The investigation into the incident revealed that the video, taken during a private training session, was deeply troubling. Charlotte Dujardin admitted to her actions, apologized for her behavior, and stated, “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. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.” Despite her apology, the fallout from the scandal was not possible. She had to withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympics and faced the wrath of both the media and the public, with many questioning her fitness to continue in the sport.

And then came the pregnancy announcement. In a statement, Dujardin revealed she was expecting a child due in February. “This was planned well before the Olympics,” she said, emphasizing that her focus was now on her family. But the timing raised eyebrows. Some fans on social media, particularly on Reddit, felt the announcement was just a little too conveniently timed. Could it have been an attempt to shift the narrative?

Were fans right to feel suspicious, or is Charlotte simply dealing with personal and professional setbacks at once? The backlash was swift, and the controversy around her timing only added fuel to the fire.

Fans rip into Charlotte Dujardin after scandal

One fan went in, saying, “Red flag mother, that’s all it tells me. If you’ll hit your horses, you’ll hit your kid.” Harsh, right? Speaking of motherhood, Charlotte is not a newcomer to this, or rather the art of juggling, so to speak. In August 2022 she was still pregnant with her first child, and Isabella was born in March 2023. Still, she would not let that trip her, so she continued with what she was doing—equestrian. No sooner had she left the wagon than she mounted again, unsure of whether she was up to it all still. She even said, “I was thinking, ‘Have I still got it? Can I still do it?’ But I got on, and it felt amazing.” And there she was, with little Isabella watching her every move.

The backlash wasn’t just heated—it was scathing. One fan didn’t hold back, saying, “That was pretty gross and unnecessary. Trying to elicit people to congratulate her? Be happy for her?” Another chimed in, “Deflect, deflect, deflect; use a pregnancy to garner sympathy while making a token ‘apology.’ What an utterly despicable human being. This just infuriates me.” And then there was this gem: “Ah yes, because being pregnant definitely makes you want to systematically abuse horses for years beforehand. Duh! How did we not see that coming? (no, but seriously, what the fuck is that deflection? It’s impressively BS, lol. The general vibe? Fans weren’t buying what they felt was an attempt to soften public outrage with personal news.

But amidst all the fury, Charlotte Dujardin did apologize again, trying to own up to her actions. In a statement today (5 December), she said she fully respects the verdict and emphasized that the video “does not reflect” who she is. She also added, “I apologize again and will forever aim to do better.” While some fans labeled her apology as hollow, others saw it as a step toward accountability. The question remains, though: will her words be enough to mend the damage?

One fan summed up the frustration perfectly: “Honestly, what the f–k ever. Ab–se is happening on a daily, and repercussions are nearly non-existent for the majority. She gets a vacation while pregnant and will be back at it soon, and hopefully, she’ll be better because of this whole ordeal. But something more needs to change. Cesar Parra abused horses knowingly for YEARS and has still basically gotten a slap on the wrist.” And they’re not wrong.

As of 2024, it’s estimated that 10 million animals die from ab–e each year in the United States alone. Earlier this year, in February, shocking videos of Olympic dressage rider Cesar Parra surfaced, showing him whipping horses—one even on the head—and using “rollkur,” a practice so cruel it’s banned by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Rollkur forces a horse’s neck into unnatural hyperflexion, causing pain, airway obstruction, and long-term harm.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and FEI have suspended him while reviewing dozens of videos and allegations. They’re also proposing stricter rules to prevent such instances including holding individuals accountable for incidents that happen outside competitions.

This raises an important question: was Charlotte Dujardin’s punishment: just a one-year ban and a fine—really enough? Or does the equestrian world need to start making examples of its stars to truly protect its animals?