Charlotte Dujardin, the triple-Olympic gold medallist in dressage, is set to complete her one-year suspension on July 23 following a ban imposed after a leaked video showed her whipping a horse 24 times. The timing of the video’s release, just before the Paris Olympics, forced her withdrawal and severely damaged her reputation, leading to lost sponsorships and support. Despite widespread criticism and intense scrutiny from animal welfare advocates, Dujardin, 40, remains determined to resume her career, though she has yet to announce where or how she will make her comeback. The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has reportedly tried to contact her to facilitate her return, but communication between them appears strained.

While some view her return as a “royalty returns” narrative, others argue she was not punished harshly enough, especially since much of her suspension coincided with her pregnancy. Dujardin’s camp is focused on rebuilding, supported by backers like Ulrike Bachinger, co-owner of her top horse Alive and Kicking, with plans potentially involving a Gloucestershire stud farm. However, the BEF has already selected the British team for the upcoming European dressage Championships without her, reflecting uncertainty about her readiness. Ultimately, Dujardin is poised to fight her way back to elite competition on her own terms, amid ongoing controversy and heightened scrutiny over horse welfare in the sport.