The whistleblower who leaked a video allegedly showing Olympic dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin excessively whipping a horse did so with the intention of “saving dressage,” according to her lawyer, Stephan Wensing. The footage, which led to Dujardin withdrawing from the Paris Games and receiving a provisional suspension, has sparked widespread controversy.
Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medallist, admitted to making an error in judgment during the training session captured on video. “What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils,” she said, expressing deep shame and regret.
The video, originally obtained by the BBC, shows Dujardin whipping a horse around its legs. While the footage is reportedly from two and a half years ago, its release has had immediate consequences, including the suspension of Dujardin’s UK Sport funding and the termination of her ambassadorship with the horse welfare charity Brooke.
Stephan Wensing, representing the whistleblower, emphasized that his client did not take pleasure in exposing Dujardin but felt it was necessary to address what she sees as a broader issue within the sport. “It’s not fun to ruin a career. She’s not celebrating; she doesn’t feel like a hero,” Wensing said. “But she told me this morning this had to be done because she wants to save dressage.”
The timing of the video’s release, just before the Olympics, has led to accusations of sabotage. Madeleine Hill, a former dressage reporter, suggested that the FEI should have waited until after the Games to impose sanctions, arguing that top riders are being persecuted on social media. However, Wensing defended the timing, stating that the recent removal of a Danish rider from their Olympic team over a similar incident motivated the whistleblower to act now.
As the investigation continues, the equestrian community is grappling with the implications of the video. The incident has ignited a debate about training practices and the ethical treatment of horses, with the hope that it will lead to meaningful reforms in dressage.
