Charlotte Dujardin has announced she is pregnant after being banned for a year over the horse-whipping scandal that wrecked her bid to become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian.

The three-time dressage gold medallist revealed she was expecting her second child in February in a statement in response to being suspended and fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£8,885) by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).

The sanction followed her provisional suspension on the eve of this summer’s Olympics pending an investigation into a shocking video showing her repeatedly hitting a horse during a training exercise.

Dujardin, who had been planning to compete at Paris 2024 while pregnant, said: “I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today.

“As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.

“This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time. To those of you who have sent messages, emails and tried to reach me to check in on how I am – thank you. Every kind word truly has made a difference, more than you’ll ever know.

“What I was unable to share at the time is that I am currently pregnant, with my baby due in February. This was planned well before the Olympics and something my partner Dean and I have been excited about for a long time.

“At the moment, the energy I have is focused on Dean and our daughter Isabella, and we are all very much looking forward to the arrival of our new family member.”

Telegraph Sport has been told Dujardin, 39, is expected to attempt a comeback when her ban expires in July, raising the prospect of her winning a record seventh Olympic medal for a British athlete at the 2028 Games.

After the birth of her first child in March last year, she returned to competition three weeks later, winning gold at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The horse-whipping scandal has already cost her a likely damehood, her ambassadorial role for an equine charity, and her public funding from UK Sport, for which she will remain ineligible until her ban expires.

The FEI said in a statement: “The FEI has suspended British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000, effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her.

“Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July 2024 for engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. The time served during her provisional suspension will be credited towards the one-year suspension.

“During her suspension, Dujardin is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a national federation.

“British Equestrian and British Dressage have reciprocated the suspension, resulting in Dujardin’s ineligibility to compete in any national competition or training events during this period.

“On 22 July 2024, the FEI received a video, submitted by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant, that showed Dujardin excessively whipping a horse during a training session at a private stable.

“The FEI immediately began an investigation, and contacted both Dujardin and her national federation.

“Dujardin confirmed she was the person in the video on 23 July, and informed the FEI that she would withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She also agreed to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The FEI’s investigation, conducted with Dujardin’s full co-operation, concluded that Dujardin was the only person who had engaged in a rule violation in relation to the video. Additionally, the investigation found that aside from the conduct shown in the video, no other rule violations had occurred during, or in connection with, the training session.

FEI receives no further reports on Dujardin conduct

“Since the video’s release, the FEI has not received any additional complaints or reports of violations concerning Dujardin’s conduct.

“Following the investigation, the FEI initiated formal disciplinary proceedings, citing three charges i) abuse of horse; ii) conduct that brings the FEI and/or equestrian sport and the FEI into disrepute; iii) breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.

“Given the gravity of the offence and the relevant mitigating circumstances, including Dujardin’s prior clean disciplinary record and her voluntary withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the FEI proposed a one-year suspension and a CHF 10,000 fine.

“In accordance with the provisions of the FEI disciplinary rules, Dujardin admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by the FEI.

“Following this, the FEI and Dujardin entered into an ‘Acceptance of Sanctions’ agreement, which was subsequently submitted to the FEI Tribunal, for confirmation in a binding FEI Tribunal decision.”

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez said: “It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games.

“Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.

“These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners.”

Dujardin said in July the video at the centre of the scandal had been filmed four years earlier.