Team GB Horse Trainer Who Witnessed Brutal Whipping Speaks Out

A woman who witnessed a horse being whipped by Team GB dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin has broken her silence following the release of a shocking video. The footage, which shows Dujardin whipping a horse while someone else rides it, led to her withdrawal from the 2024 Paris Olympics and sparked an investigation by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). Dujardin has stated that her actions in the video were “completely out of character” and pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

Alicia Dickinson, who was present during the incident, has clarified her involvement via Instagram. She asserted that she did not film or leak the footage and that her business relationship with Dujardin ended after the lesson depicted in the video. Dickinson expressed the difficulty of processing the media revelations and stated she would await the outcome of the FEI investigation before commenting further.

The identity of the whistleblower who released the video remains unknown, but they are represented by Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing. Wensing conveyed that his client did not feel triumphant about releasing the footage but believed it was necessary to address issues in the sport of dressage. The timing of the video release has led to conflicting reports on when the incident occurred, with Dujardin stating it happened four years ago, while Wensing claims it was two and a half years ago.

British Dressage chief Jason Brautigam described the situation as “distressing news” and emphasized the paramount importance of equine welfare. He expressed disappointment at the timing of the video’s release, suggesting it was intended to cause maximum damage to the sport. However, Brautigam urged the dressage community to respond to the crisis by demonstrating their love and care for horses.