However, the 39-year-old athlete, who was a leading candidate to carry the flag for the British team at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, will no longer have the chance to extend her achievements. On Tuesday afternoon (July 23rd), Dujardin officially withdrew from the Games and received a 6-month temporary suspension from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

The suspension was issued after a video showed her instructing a 19-year-old rider. While discussing the technique of galloping, Dujardin repeatedly “whipped the horse more than 24 times in a minute with a long whip, like treating an elephant in a circus.”

The rider did not speak up because those around her advised that “this is common in the UK.” However, encouraged by many suspended athletes for horse abuse, she decided to authorize a lawyer to file a complaint with the FEI on July 22nd, just one day before the penalty was issued.

According to FEI Executive Director Jim Eyre, Dujardin’s actions were “very serious” because in equestrian sports, “ensuring the welfare of the horse is paramount.” Dujardin herself admitted she was the person in the video and stated that she felt “extremely ashamed” and had “no excuse whatsoever” for her actions.

Not only is she barred from the 2024 Olympics, but Dujardin is also banned from all FEI-authorized events. The loss of the 39-year-old star is a significant blow to the British equestrian team, as she was expected to win medals in both individual and team events. Becky Moody, the reserve athlete, will now replace Dujardin, joining the equestrian team alongside Jagerbomb, Carl Hester, and Charlotte Fry.