Equestrian riders at Paris Olympics 'horr**ified' by video of Dujardin whipping a horse

Equestrian athletes competing at the Paris Olympics have expressed profound shock and dismay following the release of a video showing three-time gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin from Great Britain repeatedly whipping a horse during training. This incident has intensified the ongoing debate over animal welfare and abuse within the sport.
Boyd Martin of the United States, who is participating in his fourth Olympics, voiced his horror at the footage. "Horse welfare is incredibly important; these magnificent animals mean so much to us," Martin stated after the first day of the individual eventing competition. "An animal is as much a teammate in this sport as any rider, and what was depicted in that video is completely unacceptable."
The controversy was further fueled by a separate incident involving Brazilian rider Carlos Parro. The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) issued a formal warning to Parro after reviewing photos from the animal welfare group PETA. The images showed Parro allegedly engaging in a prohibited practice known as "Rollkur," which involves hyper-flexing a horse’s neck to the point where it impairs breathing. While this incident did not occur at the Paris Games, it has cast additional scrutiny on the treatment of horses in equestrian sports.
PETA’s senior vice president, Kathy Guillermo, expressed relief that the FEI had addressed their complaint but criticized the federation for not going further. "We are deeply concerned about the horse’s welfare. The rider should have been disqualified immediately by the safety team," Guillermo remarked.
Martin, who had not yet seen the controversial photos at the time of his statement, emphasized the need for positive reinforcement in training. "To get the best out of an animal, training should be about creating a desire to please, not about using punishment or instilling fear," he added.
The British equestrian team, already under intense scrutiny, faced additional pressure following the Dujardin video. Dujardin has withdrawn from the Games and is currently provisionally suspended from all equestrian events while the FEI conducts an investigation. "We stand 110% behind horse welfare," said Tom McEwen, another British rider. "This was a massive shock to the equestrian community, but we are committed to demonstrating the positive aspects of our sport."
David O’Connor, a former American equestrian star and current head of the FEI’s eventing committee, condemned Dujardin’s actions as “completely unacceptable” and affirmed the importance of maintaining rigorous ethical standards. O’Connor emphasized that public scrutiny is necessary for exposing and addressing unacceptable behavior in the sport. "We are committed to uncovering and addressing unethical practices wherever they occur," he said, asserting that any U.S. team rider caught in similar circumstances would face immediate expulsion.
In response to recent events, the FEI has announced new reforms aimed at promoting ethical training practices and improving horse welfare. For the first time at the Olympics, an equine welfare coordinator is on site. Goran Akerstrom, the FEI’s veterinary director, underscored the importance of recognizing both physical and emotional stress in horses.
Additionally, Emiliano Portale and his horse Future were eliminated from the dressage competition after blood was discovered in the horse’s mouth during post-competition checks. The FEI clarified that this was in accordance with welfare protocols and did not indicate any intent to harm the horse.
The safety of riders also remains a priority. Notable incidents include British rider Laura Collett’s near-fatal fall in 2013, which resulted in multiple serious injuries. The cross-country discipline, known for its higher risk of falls and injuries compared to dressage and jumping, continues to be a focus for safety improvements.
As the Paris Games progress, the equestrian community remains under close examination, with increased efforts to ensure the ethical treatment of both horses and riders.
For more information on the Paris Olympics, visit [AP Olympics](apnews.com/hub....

[@margarettodd1074]

It’s totally and utterly disgusting

[@mandyviv57]

What bullshit. They’ve all seen and probably done it. This is a tiny lil club. They had to have known.

[@TheRach11]

Rollkur is actually when the neck is hyperflexed so nose to chest basically and its super bad for their backs and necks; Unfortunately used to be common practice in european dressage training

[@debdavis8423]

I would like to see and hear sanctions prior to the games. Inspectors show up at training locations with No Notice. Evaluate trainer and rider, conditions, and care. Generate a code of conduct for sponsors, riders. Let’s let the Money STOP Talking and the Animal Cruelty Stop. Let’s see it takes $800,000-$1,000,000 to support an Equestrian Athelete. Place a CAP on sponsorships and big money pay outs . I have been watching these Equestrian Eventing and frankly, I am appalled at how the horses mouths were being “sawed” with the bit and in some cases 2 bits in their mouths. Horses can and are spirited, but it was VERY evident of the horses who were trained harshly and severely versus those who were trained with respect and it was mutual between horse and rider. The lady that was the color commentator during the events, was justifying the harshness. Ah NO! Unacceptable. I don’t care how many years you’ve been an equestrian, that acceptance of abuse was horrible. Then there was the rider who was using Electrical ly charged Spurs!!! OMG, that’s the “win at all costs” rider. Doesn’t really give a shit about the horse, only in it for the glam and money. Disgusting.!! If the FEI and the officials at all the other Pre-Olympic Qualifying events, can’t be concerned with the animals welfare, eliminate the Equestrian competition from the Olympics. Having been a competitive rider, I would never do the things to horses that those who have been caught being abusive have done. Shame on the Trainers, Riders, FEI and the Olympics committee. Equestrians reading this stand up to animal abuse. Look at go to auctions, look at some of the horses there that go to auction for slaughter because they are considered useless. Young horses, thoroughbreds, Arabians just “ Discarded”. Because they couldn’t get their horses to do what they wanted them to. So they beat and starve them and send to auction or sell to Kill buyers for Slaughter. If this is shocking you, Good it needs to. Stand up against Animal Abuse against horses. Lastly, you do realize that a lot of the horses will not live out a good life after their usefulness is over right? Many of them do not become a cherished pet or placed with good homes., they are discarded, like a used gum wrapper. And before you all start your hateful comments etc., etc, take a step back. Those who are good to their horses and livestock, if you’re PO’d, good stand up for a helpless animal(s). “If you see something, say something!”If you want to be hateful and spew crap, either you’re guilty of some type of abuse or, you think money buys everything, and are entitled to do what you want and sorry to burst your bubble, but no you aren’t

[@paintedblack2806]

A couple remarks: - If the rider is not capable to do certain exercises, the trainer gets frustrated and the horse gets beaten. I've seen it so many times at every level. Most of the times, people don't have to be helped with horse problems, but horses with people problems. - The rider allowed this abuse. Thinking (as a rider) this is normal is admitting you are naive or stupid. No punishment here? - The one that filmed this was laughing. No punishment here? - After several years and just before the games, this video surfaces. Coincidence seems to exist? - These kinds of abuse have to be tackeled, but as long as FEI judges give higher points to horses trained with rollkür, to horses that are beaten into obediance, to horses that are kicked into doing exercises than to horses that ride anatomically correct, abuse is rewarded. As long as FEI rules force double bridels in stead of favoring more gentle methods (I know, a good hand rides a double bridle as soft as a single one, but a frustrated hand does not), as long as spurs are the rule in stead of a point looser, ... Nothing will change. In this case, not only Mrs. Dujardin, but the entire FEI and the rider should face the consequences of their attitudes towards animals. But they will punish Mrs. Dujardin and then... bussiness as usual... lots of points for the next abuser who is for the moment still in a selfproclaimed chock about the CD video(as long as no one else has a video...)

[@annamariayannetta242]

So Disgraceful 💔😭😫💔😭😫🐎🐎 3:26

[@annamariayannetta242]

All for fame and glory, I don't think so 😭😭😭😭😫😫😫💔💔💔💔🐎🐎 3:51