Six months after returning from a suspension related to horse welfare concerns, Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has come under renewed scrutiny following a video filmed at the Amsterdam World Cup. The footage shows Dujardin riding the mare Alive And Kicking with a combination of strong spur use and tight rein pressure, creating conflicting signals that experts say cause the horse visible tension and behavioral conflict. Leading equine welfare authorities, including Mette Uldahl and Professor Paul McGreevy, criticized the riding as unfair and contrary to modern dressage principles, which emphasize harmony and clear communication between horse and rider. World Horse Welfare and other experts have called for better training of judges and stewards to recognize and address such welfare issues.

Despite the controversy, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has not publicly condemned Dujardin’s riding, citing the limited context of the video, and she remains part of the BEF’s World Class Performance program. Critics argue that mandatory rehabilitation should be required for riders returning from suspension, as is done in other equestrian disciplines, to ensure improved welfare standards. The incident has reignited debate about acceptable training methods and the responsibility of high-profile riders to model ethical horsemanship. Dujardin has declined to comment on the latest criticism, while welfare advocates emphasize the need for clearer rules and enforcement to protect horses in competitive dressage.