It’s been a bolt from the blue for equestrian and dressage fans across the world. With Britain’s iconic Charlotte Dujardin announcing to pull out of the Paris Games, her followers can’t help but ponder what could have led the 39-year-old to make such a drastic decision. The international equestrian apex body handed a six-month ban on the country’s most decorated female Olympian, but what exactly prompted it to restrict one of the gold medal favorites just three days before the big showdown?

Dujardin was alleged of “…engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare – during a training session conducted at Ms Dujardin’s private stable,” by the FEI, which resulted in an IG post by the Brit as a response.

FEI’s directive came after an official complaint was launched regarding the video from several years ago. Stephan Wensing, the lawyer representing the 19-year-old who filed the complaint, said he was “pleased” with the FEI’s strong stand, according to The Guardian. “She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute. It was like an elephant in the circus,” elaborates the article further as Wensing stated that his client made the decision to notify the FEI of Dujardin’s alleged misconduct after mustering the courage to do so this weekend.

“At that time, my client was thinking this must be normal. She is an Olympic winner. Who am I to doubt? My client asked around and was warned against speaking out in the UK. But last year my client saw others suspended in the UK and elsewhere,” the Dutch lawyer further stated. However, while the allegation does cast a dark cloud on Charlotte’s career, Stephan believes the decision to alert the FEI about the Olympian’s misconduct wasn’t taken without deliberation.

“My client is aware that this complaint could have far-reaching consequences for Ms Dujardin, including disciplinary sanctions,” wrote Wensing in a letter to the FEI, as reported by the BBC. In light of the seriousness of the matter, the FEI also indicated that the ban can be extended until the investigation reaches a conclusion. In light of things, Dujardin also seems to have doubled down and expressed her sorrow.

Charlotte Dujardin humbly accepts her fumble

In an Instagram post from hours ago, Charlotte provided an official statement as a response to the latest development. “I am deeply ashamed,” stated the equestrian icon without beating around the bush as she noted, “What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils“. In the same post, she also announced her decision to pull out of the 2024 Olympics and extend all cooperation to the investigation. With Dujardin out of the tournament, Great Britain’s equestrian responsibilities will now be handed over to Becky Moody, the 2023 Grand Prix, and Jagerbomb.

Charlotte was one of the driving forces behind Britain’s success at the 2023 Dressage World Cup, thanks to her sensational performance on top of Imhotep, her longtime four-legged equine partner. Now that it’s evident that the Enfield native won’t be making an appearance for her fourth Olympics, it remains to be seen if she can bounce back from the rough patch and manage to end her professional career with a bang.