Charlotte Dujardin was sabotaged by one of her ‘many enemies’ ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, it has been explosively claimed.
The Team GB great was suspended on the eve of the Games by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) for six months.
It came after a video emerged earlier this week of Dujardin allegedly whipping a horse 24 times during a practice session four years ago.
The video was released by Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, acting on behalf of a whistleblower, whose identity remains unknown.
Speculation surrounding who leaked the video has picked up in the days since, with Alicia Dickinson – a dressage trainer from Australia – taking to social media to reveal it wasn’t her.
Dickinson was identified as one of the people inside the stable at the time Dujardin was seen whipping the horse.
Refuting claims she’s the whistleblower, Dickinson posted: “This week’s media revelations regarding Charlotte Dujardin have been difficult to process.
“I would like to make it clear: I am not the whistleblower, I did not film the footage, any online speculation is unfounded. Our business relationship ended after the lesson in the video.
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“I await the outcome of the FEI investigation and will not be commenting further at this moment.”
Before later adding: “Charlotte has many enemies. It could have been anyone but I got the backlash.”
It’s mooted that the timing of the release is intentional, given Dujardin was tipped to challenge for medals in the dressage events at Paris 2024.
And according to Madeleine Hill, a former dressage correspondent at Horse & Hound magazine, the leak could end up being an act of sabotage.
Hill told The Daily Mail: “The timing of this video days before the Olympics smells of sabotage. To me it is suspect.”
It’s a story that has rocked the world of sport, not least because Dujardin would’ve become the most decorated female British Olympian of all time, had she medalled in the French capital.
Instead, she’ll be forced to sit out the Games, with the 39-year-old reacting by saying in a statement posted on Instagram: “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session…
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment. 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.”
