Charlotte Dujardin has become a subject of online criticism after a disturbing viral coaching video of the 39-year-old found its way online
For the unfamiliar, earlier a disturbing video featuring Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse found its way online. After watching the viral video, netizens took to social media platforms, especially X, and Reddit, to criticize the horse rider.
The matter escalated when the viral video led to her Olympic exile. So what is this viral video exactly, and how did it find its way online. Let’s find out together!
Video of equestrian Charlotte Dujardin whipping horse goes viral as she exits 2024 Paris Olympics
For the curious, the 6-time Olympic medalist sensationally pulled out of Paris 2024 in disgrace this week after being suspended following the disturbing video that went viral online.
After her exit of Paris 2024, the greatest horsewoman of Britain, expressed in a statement that she was “deeply ashamed” of her “error of judgement” in a coaching session “from four years ago.”
CAUTION- UPSETTING This is part of the video – you can hear the determined lash of the whip torturing the poor horse. Charlotte Dujardin should never be let near an animal again and she should be stripped of all Olympic Medals. pic.twitter.com/8Szy17jjlO
— LUCINDA O’SULLIVAN (@LucindasIreland) July 24, 2024
What Did the Viral Video Show?
The viral video features the English equestrian hitting the horse with a long whip at least 25 times in one minute. The incident allegedly took place during a lesson with a 19-year-old female student at her private stable.
After witnessing the animal abuse, the FEI, a sports governing body, launched an investigation into the matter. In addition, they handed Dujardin a provisional six-month ban.
This matter came into the spotlight after a Dutch advocate claimed that the anonymous whistleblower “couldn’t stand to watch her win a medal at Paris 2024.”
The viral video that is shared by the whistleblower’s lawyer, Stephan Wensing, claimed that the incident took place in 2022.
What Did Charlotte Dujardin Say?
After the disturbing video emerged online, Charlotte Dujardin insisted that it was from four years ago, admitting the cruel act. In the upsetting clip, she repeatedly uses a long whip to hit a horse’s legs during training.
Though, Charlotte Dujardin had already issued an apology and claimed it was “completely out of character” and an “error of judgement.”
She had not traveled to France prior to withdrawing 3 days before the Opening Ceremony. This viral controversy has ruined her chances of adding to her six Olympic medals, including three golds.
Meanwhile, after witnessing the distressing and disturbing video, the PETA, in a statement, has called for the removal of all events involving animals from the Olympics.
After this incident, traveling reserve Becky Moody is set to take Dujardin’s place on horse Jägerbomb along with teammates Carl Hester and Charlotte Fry.
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