FEI Imposes One Year Suspension on Charlotte Dujardin

Dressage

FEI

-- FEI press release, edited by Eurodressage

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.

Whipping Video

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 cooperation, 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.

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

Formal Disciplinary Proceedings

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.

Acceptance of Sanctions

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.

The FEI Tribunal was composed by Mr Jose A. Rodriguez Alvarez (MEX), Chair; Ms Diane Pitts (USA), Member; and Mr Agustin Fattal Jaef (ARG), Member. Dujardin was represented by Dutch lawyer Luc Schelstraete

The full decision of the FEI Tribunal, formally confirming the sanctions set out in the agreement is available here.

The Tribunal reasoned, "following the investigations conducted by the FEI, the FEI considered that the Video constituted the only occurrence of Horse Abuse committed by the Respondent, in what can be considered as an “isolated incident”. In this sense, the Acceptance of Sanctions, which encompass a 1-year Suspension and a CHF 10’000.- Fine, are within the guidelines set by the GR."

The tribunal adds, "should the circumstances, under which the present proposal/acceptance of sanctions change, the FEI shall then open new proceedings against the Respondent, and any other allegation or incident not considered, would also then need to be investigated independently."

The panel further communicates that it "wishes however to state that it did not analyse whether the Accepted Sanctions are to be considered as reasonable or not, but rather whether they fell within the parameters set forth in the FEI’s rules and regulations. After a thorough analysis of such, the Panel considers that they do."

"Regrettable"

As noted in the FEI Tribunal’s decision, Dujardin’s acceptance of the proposed sanctions renders this decision final and not subject to appeal.

“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,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “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's suspension ends on 22 July 2025.