The whistleblower who released the controversial video showing Charlotte Dujardin allegedly whipping a horse excessively during a training session did so with the intention of bringing attention to the issue and “saving dressage”, according to her lawyer. Charlotte Dujardin, a highly decorated Olympic dressage rider, decided to withdraw from the Paris Games after the video went public, acknowledging that she had made an error in judgment.
The video, which was obtained by the BBC, depicts Dujardin repeatedly using a whip on a horse’s legs during the training session. Following her withdrawal from the Olympics, the FEI, the governing body for equestrian sports, provisionally suspended the 39-year-old rider after reviewing the footage.
In an interview with BBC Sport, the whistleblower’s lawyer, Stephan Wensing, explained that his client had mixed emotions about the aftermath of releasing the video. While she did not take pleasure in potentially damaging someone’s career, she felt compelled to take action in order to address what she believes to be a widespread problem within the sport of dressage.
Despite Dujardin’s claims that the video was filmed four years ago, Wensing clarified that it was actually recorded two and a half years prior. He mentioned that at the time of the recording, the whistleblower believed that Dujardin’s training methods were acceptable because of her esteemed reputation in the sport. However, after consulting with other professionals and experiencing a sense of unease, the whistleblower felt compelled to speak out.
Wensing revealed that the whistleblower was particularly influenced by the recent incident involving a Danish dressage rider who was removed from the team due to a controversial training video. This prompted her to report Dujardin, as she was concerned about the potential impact on the British team’s performance at the Olympics.
Following the release of the video, Charlotte Dujardin had her UK Sport funding temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation. Additionally, she was removed as an ambassador for the horse welfare charity Brooke, which expressed deep disappointment over the content of the video.
The whistleblower’s actions have sparked a conversation within the dressage community about training practices and the treatment of horses. While the situation has caused controversy and raised questions about ethical standards in the sport, it has also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring the well-being of animals involved in equestrian activities.