CHARLOTTE Dujardin, Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, has pulled out of the Paris Games after a video emerged showing her repeatedly striking a horse with a lunge whip during a training session.

The 39-year-old said it was an “error of judgement”.

“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” she said in a statement. “I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment. I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.”

“I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.”

The dressage star, who has won six Olympic medals, including three golds, was due to compete in individual and team events in France.

She will be replaced in the team by alternates Becky Moody and Jagerbomb.

Disappointed

The FEI has provisionally suspended Dujardin for the duration of the investigation into the matter. FEI president, Ingmar DeVos, said: “We are deeply disappointed with this case, especially as we approach the Olympic Games in Paris. However, it is our responsibility and crucial that we address any instances of abuse, as equine welfare cannot be compromised. Charlotte has expressed genuine remorse for her actions, and we recognise and appreciate her willingness to take responsibility.

“Despite the unfortunate timing, we believe this action reaffirms the FEI’s commitment to welfare as the guardians of our equine partners and the integrity of our sport.”

British Equestrian and British Dressage issued a joint statement confirming they have also provisionally suspended Dujardin. BE chief executive Jim Eyre said: “As the guardians of equestrian sport, we must uphold the highest standards of equine welfare – the horse’s wellbeing is paramount. The allegations made are serious and the consequences far-reaching but upholding the integrity of our sport remains our priority – we are privileged to enjoy the company of horses; we must never compromise on their wellbeing.”

The board members of the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC), which includes Dujardin’s Team GB team-mate Carl Hester, said they “universally condemn” the actions of Dujardin.

“The board members are resolute that equine welfare must always be placed uppermost and at all times,” they said on Thursday.

“The IDRC Board supports the actions taken by the FEI, the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage to provisionally suspend Ms Dujardin.”

Dujardin said the incident in the video happened four years ago. However, the whistleblower’s lawyer Stephan Wensing said it was recorded two-and-a-half years ago.

“Charlotte Dujardin explained to the student she wanted to lift up the legs of the horse in the canter more - and then she used the whip as you saw on the footage,” he said. “She took the long whip and she was beating the horse more than 24 times in one minute. My client was warned against speaking out in the UK. But last year my client saw others suspended in the UK and elsewhere. And this weekend, she eventually made a decision to let me admit the complaint to the FEI.”

Questioned

Olympic and Paralympic dressage trainer Pammy Hutton questioned the timing of the complaint.

She told Sky News: “The timing is suspect. It has to be suspect. If they really believed the validity of this video, why sit on it until the horses were leaving for France?”

However Peta’s US senior vice president, Kathy Guillermo said the video hinted at a wider trend of animal abuse, and that it was time for the International Olympic Committee to step in.

“The message to the IOC should be clear by now: remove equestrian events from the Olympic Games,” she said. “Yet again, an Olympic rider has been caught on video abusing a horse to force the animal to behave in an entirely unnatural way, simply for her own glory. Horses don’t volunteer – they can only submit to violence and coercion. It’s time for the Olympics to move into the modern era.”

Modern pentathlon has already decided to scrap the equestrian element of the sport after it was heavily criticised in Tokyo when German coach Kim Raisner, who was seen punching the horse Saint Boy, was sent home.

Dujardin could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris, if she had won a medal of any colour.