'It was lunacy' claims whistleblower lawyer in Dujardin welfare case

By James Toney in Paris

Charlotte Dujardin is the poster girl of British equestrian with a string of commercial deals and a guest role on hit Netflix show Free Rein.

However, her decision to withdraw from the Olympics for ‘making an error of judgement’ puts a major question mark on both her sporting and commercial future.

The six-time dressage medallist - who was a frontrunner to carry the flag in Friday’s opening ceremony - needed just one medal to become Team GB's most decorated female Olympian.

The 39-year old - and new horse Imhotep - were due to start their Olympic campaign at Versailles next Tuesday, alongside Charlotte Fry and Carl Hester, but will now be replaced by travelling reserve Becky Moody.

Great Britain were considered favourites for the team dressage gold, with Dujardin and Fry the only two combinations with scores over 80% in top level competition this season.

Equestrian circles can be famously incestuous and top dressage horses can cost up to £200,000 - often making the sport the preserve of the wealthy and well connected.

But Dujardin broke the mould, starting riding as a two-year old in Hertfordshire and crediting the mentoring of team-mate Hester for changing her life, after she bought her first dressage horse with her grandmother's inheritance.

The seven-time Olympian gave her lessons at his base in Gloucestershire and she was offered a job as a groom at his yard in Newent shortly afterwards.

Dujardin's medals have translated into significant financial success, with a string of organisations her official sponsors, including high-end equestrian brands Charles Owen and Le Mieux. For nine years she has worked as a global ambassador for animal welfare charity Brooke.

Dujardin's partnership with her 'horse of a lifetime' Valegro is arguably Team GB's most successful Olympic double act, winning double gold in London and Rio and inspiring her best-selling autobiography The Girl on the Dancing Horse.

Equine lawyer Stephan Wensing lodged a welfare compliant with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) on Monday morning and received confirmation of their investigation a few hours later.

Wensing's practice Equine Law Firms represents clients include Olympic riders, large equine veterinary clinic, trainers and agents.

"There is a fear culture in dressage and that's why my client wishes to remain anonymous," said Mr Wensing, who alleges the video shows Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse on the legs during a lesson.

"I'm pleased that the FEI are taking this seriously because what happened was shocking, if you saw the video you would have have the same reaction, it was lunacy. The FEI have all the evidence and the video, it shouldn't be a long investigation.

"There was no way she (Dujardin) could compete at the Olympics, withdrawing from the Games was the only decision she could have made once we lodged our complaint. I think she made this decision before it was made for her. You cannot win medals like this."

However, this is not Dujardin's first brush with an official investigation, she was eliminated from the European Championships following a routine post-test inspection.

At the time she posted a highly emotional statement on social media apologising for 'letting down fans' and underlining her commitment to horse welfare.

She wrote: "All the horses in my life have become my family and all the moments that keep the team and myself in this unconditional love affair are the reasons we get up every day and do what we do."

As the most decorated athlete on the team, Dujardin may have been a frontrunner to carry the British flag in Friday night's spectacular opening ceremony on the River Seine.

“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,” she said in a statement. “I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.

“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.

“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.”

Three years ago in Tokyo, the Olympics were embroiled in a welfare scandal when Kim Raisner - the coach of the German modern pentathlon team - was thrown out of the Games for punching a horse during competition.

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