The coach of scandal-scarred British equestrian star Charlotte Dujardin has spoken out in support of her protégé.
Carl Hester, one of Dujardin’s closest coaches during his three gold medals, spoke out about the shocking video that showed Dujardin repeatedly whipping his horse.
“That video is so blatantly clear that no one is going to stand for it. It just can’t be done.” Hester told The Independent:“But in the 17 years I’ve known Charlotte, I’ve never seen her like that. That’s not her.”
Hester added that Dujardin should be granted a pardon, given that four years have passed since the video was taken.
“This was four years ago. People make mistakes,” Hester said. “What do we do? Never forgive people? This is a long journey and a lesson for everyone in the horse world. We have to put the horses first and promote the horses.”
Dujardin, 39, withdrew from competing in the 2024 Olympics on July 23, just four days before the start of the Olympic equestrian events, when the disturbing video first began to surface.
She is a six-time Olympic medalist. Subsequent Instagram posts.
“What happened is completely out of character for me and contrary to how I train my horses and mentor my students, but there are no excuses for it,” Dujardin said. “I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example at that moment. I truly regret my actions and am devastated to have let everyone down, including the British team, our fans and sponsors.”
2024 Paris Olympics
Dujardin, from Enfield, Greater London, had finished on the podium in the dressage events at three consecutive Olympic Games.
Hester, considered one of the world’s top riders, himself placed third on the first day of the Dressage Grand Prix in Paris on Tuesday with a total score of 77.345 points.
The 57-year-old has won three consecutive medals in the team dressage event at the Summer Olympics and is now aiming to win more medals in the individual events.
