Thirty-nine year old Charlotte Dujarden, an olympic dressage medalist was suspended from the Paris 2024 Olympics for abusingly whipping a horse, the BBC reported on Tuesday July 24.  

The BBC said, Dujardin was “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare – during a training session conducted at Ms Dujardin’s private stable”. In which she was using a lunge whip. Says Lucy Mealing, a private horse owner. 

Mealing, who lives in England, said the whip should not contact the horse. Dujardin makes contact as shown in the video of her abusing the horse.  

It seems that Dujardin has upset many, including Dr. Stacey Jones, an animal vet at Green Pastures Veterinary Clinic, weston super mare, England. Jones strongly believes “she should never be allowed to work with or own horses or any form of animal.” 

When Jones and Mealing were asked whether or not the suspension from the Olympics was enough, both had very different opinions. Jones said that she should have her horse and permit taken away, but Mealing said that only the suspension from the Olympics is fair. 

Though many people have different opinions on this incident both can agree that what Dujardin had done was wrong, unfair, and inhumane. Hopefully, Dujarden has learned her lesson and in the future we will see no incidents like this. 

We hope we will see more regulations put in place for the safety of horses and their welfare in the Olympics . Currently there has been no changes to the Olympics dressage regulations or rules.