One of Team GB’s brightest stars, Charlotte Dujardin, has announced her withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Olympics. The decision comes in the wake of a video surfacing from four years ago, showing Dujardin in what she described as an “error of judgment” during a coaching session.

Charlotte Dujardin Video
The 39-year-old equestrian, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, stated that she will step back from all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) conducts its investigation.

“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,” Dujardin expressed in her statement. “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.”

Dujardin, renowned for her exceptional achievements in dressage, including individual and team gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics and an individual gold in Rio 2016, added, “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgment 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.”

The video, which has not been publicly disclosed, has prompted investigations not only from the FEI but also from the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage. “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 emphasized.

Dujardin’s illustrious career has seen her secure six Olympic medals, making her Britain’s joint most decorated female Olympian alongside cyclist Dame Laura Kenny. She had been set to compete in both the individual dressage and team events at the Paris Games, potentially overtaking Kenny as the most decorated British female Olympian.

The fact that the Charlotte Dujardin video doesn't seem to have reached any social media yet says to me that it must be very bad! So disappointing pic.twitter.com/DEJEUjTE7Z

— Sophie Bichener (@SophieLB1) July 23, 2024

The British Equestrian Federation has confirmed Becky Moody as the alternate for the team event with her horse Jagerbomb.

Who is Charlotte Dujardin?
Charlotte Susan Jane Dujardin CBE, born on 13 July 1985, is a British dressage rider and one of the most accomplished equestrians of her generation. Dujardin held the complete set of available individual elite dressage titles: the individual Olympic freestyle, World freestyle and Grand Prix Special, World Cup individual dressage, and European freestyle and Grand Prix Special titles. She was the first rider to hold this complete set of titles simultaneously.

Raised in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, Dujardin began riding at the age of two and quickly demonstrated her talent. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia, she left school at 16 and pursued her equestrian career, winning the Horse of the Year Show competition four times and achieving victories at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead on three occasions.

Dujardin’s impact on the sport of dressage is profound, and her decision to withdraw from the Paris Olympics marks a significant moment in her career. As the investigations proceed, the equestrian world awaits the outcomes and the future direction for one of its most celebrated athletes.