The video opens with a stark warning: “Some viewers may find the following footage distressing.” Following that, the unmistakable sound of a whip cracking fills the air.
What happens next is alarming. Charlotte Dujardin, former dressage champion of Team GB and three-time gold medallist, is captured in a riding arena, trailing a horse and its rider on foot while a third party films the encounter. With a long whip in hand, she strikes the horse more than 20 times in under a minute.
The footage, filmed a few years prior during a private coaching session in stables, was shared widely last week alongside an official complaint.
Once celebrated as the “golden girl” of dressage and considered for a damehood, Dujardin has now faced a ban from the Paris Olympic Games amid public outrage and an ongoing investigation by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI).
In her statement, Dujardin expressed that she felt “deeply ashamed” and “sincerely sorry,” insisting that her actions were “completely out of character” and do not reflect her usual training methods or coaching philosophy. Fellow Olympic riders have condemned her techniques; Tom McEwen of Team GB emphasized their unwavering commitment to horse welfare.
This scandal, along with more recent allegations of équine abuse at the Games, has reignited skepticism and ongoing discussions about the morality of using horses in competitive sports.
Just days after Dujardin’s controversy, Austrian rider Max Kühner, currently ranked third in the world, faced accusations of horse abuse for reportedly striking a horse’s legs with a bar in May 2023. Kühner has refuted the claims, stating they “lack basis”; an investigation remains ongoing.
Brazil’s Carlos Paro has received an official warning for causing “unnecessary discomfort” to his horse, after the FEI reviewed photos that suggested he was hyperflexing the horse’s neck in a banned training maneuver known as “rollkur,” which can hinder its breathing.
At the Paris Games, there have already been eliminations from competitions based on welfare concerns. On Tuesday, US team member Marcus Orlob was pulled from the event due to blood discovered on his horse’s leg, which he attributed to an unintentional impact. Earlier, Italy’s Emiliano Portale was similarly disqualified after his horse exhibited bleeding from the mouth post-competition.
Regarding Portale’s case, the FEI clarified that such eliminations do “not imply any intent to harm.” However, the global animal rights organization PETA argues that the situation is quite dire. They have been vocal against the actions of Kühner and Paro, now advocating for the complete removal of equestrian sports from the Olympic Games.
“We’re not discussing isolated incidents; there is a clear pattern of abuse,” asserts Jennifer White, PETA’s senior communications manager in the UK.
At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a Swiss horse was forced to be euthanized after sustaining a ligament injury during the cross-country course. In the show jumping event, an Irish gelding was seen competing while exhibiting visible signs of a nosebleed, suggesting excessive exertion.
Whether these behaviors are perceived as animal abuse or necessary risks for achieving sporting excellence often relies on individual perspectives regarding equestrian sports and one’s ethical standpoint.
For PETA, which advocates the belief that “animals are not ours,” any form of control, suffering, or exploitation is intolerable. “Whenever animals are treated as assets for human benefit, their genuine interests are disregarded,” states White.
This issue is particularly pronounced in the context of the Olympic Games, which aim to celebrate human athletic excellence. “These horses don’t care about gold medals; they don’t choose to participate … There’s simply no justification for that,” she insists.
Recent events have encouraged the organization in their push to remove the equestrian element from the modern pentathlon, following a German coach who punched a horse during the Tokyo Games, which sparked widespread outrage. The sport’s governing body consequently voted to substitute horse riding with cycling, an action they believe demonstrates that “change is achievable,” White states.
In denouncing Dujardin’s conduct, Olympic athletes and representatives have dismissed claims that her actions are typical of the sport. “In this discipline, your teammate is the horse, and what we observed was inexcusable,” commented U.S. Olympic rider Boyd Martin to the press.
In the same interview, David O’Connor, a former Olympic gold medalist and now head of the FEI’s eventing committee, refuted claims of widespread abuse. “We are doing everything possible to uncover unethical behavior and take strong action whenever necessary.”
However, the Dujardin video has sparked deep reflection and concern within the broader equestrian community.
“The entire situation was incredibly distressing for me,” remarks Esther Fox, a lifelong horse rider with experience as an equine veterinary nurse and trained steward. Up until early this year, she participated in dressage, show jumping, and cross-country (albeit not professionally).
Fox does not view equestrian sports as inherently cruel and emphasizes her experiences with many individuals and organizations who “train horses with great care and excellence.” Nevertheless, she perceives the harsh techniques employed by Dujardin as not an “isolated incident.” “The emotional weight of this situation resonates with me because I have been advocating against such practices since I was 19,” she reveals.
From her perspective, “welfare was often severely lacking” within high levels of dressage specifically. Fox describes instances where horses were confined to stables for the majority of the day and exhibited signs of being struck with whips or spurs.
Her concerns regarding the neglect of horses’ mental and emotional well-being prompted her to exit the sport and retrain as a physiotherapist. Many others share similar sentiments, she says, but hesitate to voice their opinions in such a tight-knit community. “It’s a very close environment.”
April (a pseudonym), another former dressage competitor, recounts witnessing severe treatment of horses during her time in the discipline decades ago, noting that it mirrored the standard practices of the time. “When a horse was resistant in a non-physical sense, it was common to push through, believing that only then could one reward with softness.”
Since the movement introduced by “horse whisperer” Monty Roberts, humane training techniques have increasingly moved away from harsh practices and towards positive reinforcement—a method more akin to current dog training strategies as opposed to outdated punitive methods. Nevertheless, older mindsets persist, especially when financial gains and medals are in the balance. “There are specific areas in dressage that warrant reform,” April states.
At the elite level, a structural issue appears evident. This past Wednesday, a Danish investigation released images of horses showing serious wounds and experiencing what was deemed “extreme pain” at top-tier dressage competitions. However, the Danish Equestrian Federation claimed that the photographs were insufficient grounds for further inquiry. Three involved riders (Nanna Skodborg Merrald, Nadja Aabo Sloth, and Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour) are set to represent Denmark at the upcoming Paris Games. A fourth rider, Carina Cassøe Krüth, withdrew from the competition following the emergence of compromising footage from 2022. Furthermore, another distinguished Danish rider, Andreas Helgstrand, was excluded from Olympic consideration after a TV exposé highlighted bad practices, including rollkur, at his prestigious stables.
These unfolding events fuel complex and profound inquiries regarding humanity’s obligations to animals in contemporary society. With the domestication of horses dating back to around 3500BC, these majestic creatures have functioned in roles spanning warfare, labor, transportation, competition, and companionship.
Although “there is an abundance of information” on humans’ profound emotional connections with horses, as highlighted by a 2021 study, it remains challenging to accurately gauge what a horse thinks or feels—especially about human beings.
“When bonded with humans, many horses enjoy that type of relationship,” contends Susan Wagner, founder of Equine Advocates, an organization based in New York that rescues horses (primarily from the meat trade) and educates about equine abuse.
However, coercion, cruelty, and abuse are prevalent among all domesticated animals utilized for profit, Wagner states, insisting the Olympics merely heighten visibility and stakes. “Where substantial money or glory is at stake, people often make decisions that compel animals to perform in specific ways.”
Beyond the Olympics, public scrutiny largely centers on horse racing (a separate discipline from the specific equestrian sports of dressage, show jumping, and cross-country). According to PETA, approximately 200 horses die annually in races in the UK, while many others suffer injuries and lead shortened lives. Moreover, PETA condemns horseback riding as unnatural and an action dictated by one party with minimal benefits or input from the other.
Studies have indicated that larger riders, particularly, may inflict harm on their horses, potentially leading to temporary lameness or apparent pain. However, these risks are said to be lessened through effective matching of horse and rider, properly fitted saddles, and appropriate riding techniques. A study in 2023 acknowledged “debate about the weight a horse should bear,” but indicated a general consensus that horses do not exhibit signs of distress until the “rider/horse body weight ratio” surpasses 20-25%.
Wagner appreciates riding horses and mules for pleasure, but acknowledges that some common equipment can have detrimental effects. Items such as double bridles, curb bits, side reins, and nosebands are used to exert increased control over horses, even at the Olympic level—an additional source of contention.
Kay Willoughby, a registered equine behavioral consultant based in Northampton, emphasizes that best practices center on fostering a strong relationship between horse and rider: “A horse has its own mind.”
Having competed in equestrian events for 20 years, Willoughby now trains horses individually to address behavioral challenges. She believes PETA’s critique, characterizing the sports as requiring “violence and coercion,” can overlook the humane training that many horses undergo to become competition-ready alongside the bonds they form with their riders.
“There are riders who show-jump or engage in cross-country without bridles—it is achievable,” she suggests. Furthermore, when Willoughby uses a lunge whip (similar to Dujardin’s) to guide a horse, she does not make physical contact.
In her practice, Willoughby employs positive reinforcement and customizes her approach based on each horse’s unique temperament. “I maintain an open-minded approach as I introduce various experiences to them, discovering what they enjoy and excel at,” she states.
Not every horse is naturally an athlete, nor is every rider destined to reach the Olympics. Nonetheless, successful pairings often reflect a deep connection fostered over time. “It truly is a partnership,” she says.
Willoughby highlights Team GB’s Laura Collett, who recently achieved an Olympic record score for dressage (a decade after nearly dying from a fall at the 2013 Games) with her horse, London 52, along with Germany’s Michael Jung and his horse, Chipmunk. “Those horses appeared stunning; they truly moved with grace alongside their riders.”
She also observed many showjumping competitors performing at prime form. “They were galloping with enthusiasm, ears pointed forward, and did not seem overly fatigued … They looked like they were relishing the experience.”
Nevertheless, this is not universally the case. At the Tokyo Games, Willoughby noticed horses exhibiting fatigue, and she felt some should have been withdrawn. Dressage, particularly, is a demanding discipline that can strain not only a horse’s body but also its mind.
She frequently witnessed horses competing under visible stress. While such signs are not inherently indicative of abuse—“they are clearly operating in a high-pressure environment”—it is still “not ideal,” she believes. “The horse’s emotional wellbeing tends to be overlooked.”
Although there are numerous regulations and safeguards designed to protect horses’ welfare at the Olympics, including routine veterinary examinations, these measures are not infallible or consistently enforced. This year, the Paris Games will be the first to have an equine welfare coordinator on-site, which itself highlights the lower priority of animal welfare in this context.
Paul McGreevy, a professor of equine behavior and welfare at the University of Sydney, maintains that technology could accurately monitor the tightness of nosebands, tissue damage from whips, spurs, and bits, and even the sensitivity of rein cues. Yet, it’s not utilized during the Olympics.
“If technology can reliably uphold rules and integrity in elite soccer and cricket, it should suffice for ensuring horse welfare and reducing subjective judgment in equestrian sports,” McGreevy argues.
Willoughby advocates for stricter penalties to deter wrongdoers and demonstrate to the general public that horse welfare is being taken seriously in the sport. However, she questions the necessity of entirely removing equestrian events from the Olympics, given that riders engage in competitions year-round. In her experience, she has confronted poor practices, yet has seen others remain silent. “There’s a reluctance to speak out,” she reflects.
According to Willoughby, fostering a cultural shift starting from the grassroots level among prospective equestrian participants is essential. The dissemination of footage, like that of Dujardin, could expose unethical practices, she suggests. “I would have no issue with cameras recording my activities 24/7.”
Until equine welfare can be unequivocally ensured, some contend that the pursuit of Olympic glory is not worth the associated costs. Wagner, from Equine Advocates, emphasizes that the recent allegations of mistreatment are “far from new” for the Games, “and are taking place under the world’s gaze.”
