Three-time Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin plans to return to competition following a one-year ban imposed by the FEI for “excessively” whipping a horse, a sanction that was backdated to July 23, 2024. The ban, which also included a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs, came after video footage surfaced showing Dujardin striking the horse repeatedly. During her suspension, she was ineligible for public funding, lost sponsorships, and ambassador roles. From Thursday, she can reapply for British dressage membership to compete in affiliated events, though the timing and location of her return remain unclear.
UK Sport is currently reviewing her eligibility for public funding, which will influence whether she can rejoin British Equestrian’s World Class Performance Programme. While Dujardin is not among the initial British entries for the upcoming dressage European Championships, discussions between her representatives and British Equestrian and British dressage about her comeback are ongoing. The final British squad for the championships will be announced later this month.
