Amsterdam, Netherlands – Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin is once again facing allegations of horse mistreatment following observations made during a recent competition in Amsterdam. A Flemish veterinarian secretly filmed Dujardin’s warm-up routine, sparking a new wave of criticism and prompting concerns about animal welfare within the sport. This incident arrives less than 18 months after Dujardin missed the Olympic Games due to previous accusations of mishandling a horse.
Eva Van Avermaet, a veterinarian and founder of the animal welfare organization ‘Collectif Pour Les Chevaux,’ recorded Dujardin during her preparation with the mare ‘Alive and Kicking’ in January. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media – reportedly reaching 100,000 views – appears to show Dujardin simultaneously applying spurs and a tight rein, a practice experts describe as conflicting and potentially harmful to the horse.
“It’s as if you’re driving a car while constantly applying the brakes,” explained Mette Uldahl, former chair of the European federation of equine veterinarians, in an analysis of the footage. Van Avermaet initially raised her concerns with a steward at the event, but reported no visible change in Dujardin’s riding style. “After her suspension, she should have been more careful than anyone about how she treats her horse, especially in public,” Van Avermaet stated.
The video has drawn condemnation from several horse welfare organizations. World Horse Welfare described the footage as “difficult to watch,” noting that the mare exhibited “clear signs of tension and conflict behavior.” Professor Paul McGreevy, a leading authority on equine wellbeing, elaborated that the concurrent use of spurs and bit pressure can create behavioral conflicts within the animal. The core principles of dressage emphasize harmony between horse and rider, a harmony that experts say is conspicuously absent in the Amsterdam footage.
Uldahl specifically pointed to observations of tail swishing, an open mouth, and general oral activity during moments when Dujardin was simultaneously urging the horse forward with spurs and restraining it with the reins. This combination, experts argue, creates a confusing and stressful situation for the horse.
The controversy extends beyond the immediate observations in Amsterdam. Several publications, including the British newspaper The Times, have revisited Dujardin’s previous suspension and the surrounding circumstances. The Times published an article on Sunday criticizing Dujardin’s warm-up technique with Alive and Kicking, and the story has since been picked up by numerous media outlets across Europe, including publications in Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Some reports have characterized the situation as “possible mistreatment,” a claim Van Avermaet has distanced herself from, requesting a retraction from media outlets using the term.
This isn’t the first time Dujardin’s methods have reach under scrutiny. The incident in Amsterdam reignites a debate about acceptable training practices within the equestrian world and the extent to which pressure can be applied to horses during competition. The core of the issue, as highlighted by horses.nl, is the question of how far is too far when training horses, and what constitutes acceptable practice in a sport where pushing boundaries is often seen as essential for success.
The renewed attention on Dujardin’s training methods comes at a critical time for the sport of dressage. The incident raises fundamental questions about the welfare of horses and the responsibility of riders to prioritize the well-being of their animals. The debate is likely to continue as the equestrian community grapples with these complex issues.
Dujardin’s next scheduled competition is currently unconfirmed. Further updates will be provided as they develop into available. The equestrian world will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what impact it will have on the future of the sport.
Archysport will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as they become available.
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