Warning: This article contains graphic images and video which some readers may find distressing.
The fiancé of Charlotte Dujardin has spoken out after she was dropped from Team GB ahead of the 2024 Olympics following an investigation into a video which she describes as 'out of character'.
With just days to go before the torch was lit to commence Paris 2024, the UK's joint most decorated female Olympian pulled out of Team GB over a video which she said showed her 'making a huge error of judgement'.
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Dujardin has picked up six medals at previous Olympic Games, three of them gold, however, footage from four years ago showed her whipping a horse.
The video was played on Good Morning Britain this morning (24 July) and showed the horse being ridden by someone else, while Dujardin struck the animal with a whip 'more than 24 times in one minute', according to the lawyer of a complainant of alleged animal welfare misconduct.
In addition to not competing at the Olympics, Dujardin is also not going to be participating in competitions as she was handed a provisional six-month ban by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).
According to the Daily Mail, Dujardin's fiancé, Dean Wyatt-Golding, spoke on the matter outside their house, but largely directed people towards what had Dujardin said before.
He said: "I can't say anything beyond Charlotte's statement. All we can do is wait and see what happens."
When asked how the video, which Dujardin said was 'from four years ago', had got around, Wyatt-Golding said the family 'have no idea', and said that his fiancé was 'obviously cooperating with the equestrian authorities for now'.
That statement he was talking about from Dujardin says: "A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
"Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.
"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.
"I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.
"I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete."
Dujardin has also been dropped as an ambassador for horse welfare charity Brooke, which said it was 'deeply disturbed to learn about this video'.
They said as per The Independent: "Our whole ethos is around kindness and compassion to horses, and to see the opposite of this from someone with such a high profile is beyond disappointing.
“There can never be a justification for mistreating animals.”
Topics: Olympics, Sport, UK News, Charlotte Dujardin
Joe Harker