Team GB’s golden girl Charlotte Dujardin has sensationally withdrawn from the Olympics after a video emerged of her making ‘an error of judgement’ during a coaching session.
The six-time Olympic medallist was among the contenders to be the flag bearer for Team GB at Friday’s Opening Ceremony.
But today she released a bombshell statement revealing that she has decided to pull out of all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigates the incident.
She was poised to make history and become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris.
A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of Laura Kenny, with whom she is currently tied on six medals.
The 39-year-old triple gold medallist said: ‘A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.
‘Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.’
Team GB ‘s Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin has withdrawn from the Paris Games over a video showing her making an ‘error of judgement’
Dujardin during a Team GB kitting out session for the Paris Olympics in Birmingham
Dujardin poses with her horse Pete (Imhotep), who she was due to ride in the Paris Games
Charlotte Dujardin with her Tokyo 2020 Olympic winning horse Gio (left) and former Olympic gold medal winner Valegro (right) in 2021
Dujardin hugs her horse Gio after competing in the dressage grand prix competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
She went on to say: ‘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 during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.’
Dujardin – who holds a CBE – has been described as the dominant dressage rider of her era.
She began riding at just two-years-old and achieved second place at her first Pony Club show jumping competition when she was three.
The Olympian took up dressage with a horse bought from an inheritance from her grandmother.
In 2007, she began working as a groom with Carl Hester. He asked her to develop novice gelding Valegro in 2011.
Her first medals came at the London 2012 Olympics, where she won both team and individual dressage gold medals on that horse. These were Britain’s first Olympic medals in the equestrian sport.
Charlotte Dujardin of Britain on her horse Gio at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The 39-year-old could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris
Dujardin, riding Gio, reacts after competing in the dressage grand prix freestyle individual finals during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Dujardin celebrates winning bronze in the Grand Prix Freestyle for her sixth medal
Dujardin and Valegro won double individual gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, making her the first British woman to retain an individual Olympic title .
And at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 she claimed bronzes in the team and individual competitions.
On top of that, she was briefly the most successful British female Olympian in history before she was surpassed by cyclist Laura Trott.
She would have been looking to reclaim the title at the Paris Games on Imhotep.
Speaking to The Telegraph about the possibility prior to the announcement of her withdrawal, she said: ‘If I achieve that, it will be incredible. Now to think I could be at the very top, how surreal is that?’
Her shock statement comes just a day after an interview in Horse & Hound on her preparations for the Paris games – where she was due to ride Imhotep – or ‘Pete’.
Dujardin with Gio during the Dressage 1st Horse Inspection at Equestrian Park on July 23, 2021
Carl Hester and Dujardin raise the Union flag in celebration of their medal wins in Tokyo 2020
Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medallist, (pictured in 2021) decided to pull out of all competition
Dulardin rides Valero in the Dressage – Grand Prix Freestyle for gold, Rio de Janeiro in 2026
Speaking about how many she’s trained, she told the magazine: ‘That’s a lot of horses, and it was only until someone pointed out to me how many top-level horses I’ve trained that I thought, ‘Oh God, I have actually done a really good job’.’
She went on to say she hopes to be a ‘good example’ for her daughter Isabella, who was born in March 2023.
Dujardin said: ‘Whether it’s in dressage or some other sport, I hope to be a good example.
‘That’s what it’s all about, inspiring the younger generations to be active and to take up and follow their dreams.’
MailOnline has not seen the video and it is currently unclear what the nature of the investigation is.
