Olympic Equestrian Scandal: Charlotte Dujardin Suspended Over Horse Whipping Incident

Olympic equestrian sports face scrutiny as Britain's top female Olympian, Charlotte Dujardin, is suspended by the FEI over inappropriate training methods. A video showed her whipping a horse's legs, triggering condemnation and calls for equestrian events to be banned from the Olympics. FEI's efforts to improve horse welfare are highlighted.

Olympic equestrian competitions at Versailles are under intense scrutiny after Britain's six-time Olympic medallist Charlotte Dujardin was suspended by the FEI for inappropriate training methods. The suspension follows the release of a video showing Dujardin whipping a horse's legs multiple times.

The FEI's Veterinarian Director, Goran Akerstrom, condemned the footage, stating that it was 'unacceptable' and 'stupid' for the horse's learning process. The scandal reignites concerns about horse welfare in equestrian sports, already tarnished by incidents at the Tokyo Olympics.

In response, the FEI has implemented an action plan with 37 measures to improve horse welfare, including regulating noseband tightness and designing safer obstacles. However, animal rights group PETA renewed its call to ban equestrian events from the Olympics. Dujardin's suspension and ongoing investigation are likely to keep equestrianism in the spotlight.

(With inputs from agencies.)