Olympian Charlotte Dujardin and the truth about equestrian sports | SpectatorTV
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- With just days to go until the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the equestrian world went into meltdown last night. The first sign of any upset was a statement issued by Team GB equestrian star Charlotte Dujardin: ‘A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session’, she wrote.
As a result, Dujardin - who has won six Olympic medals - has withdrawn from all competitions, including the Paris games, until the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) complete their investigation. What's next for the sport?
The Spectator's Cindy Yu speaks to equestrian journalist Alice Plunkett and Dominic Dyer, animal rights campaigner.
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Please, please don’t pretend you didn’t know this occurs in the competitive horse sports. This is an open secret.
@@HorseLady1109 thank you for speaking the truth
I’ve owned stallions, both from eventing and jumping, that were clearly badly abused at various point sin their competitive lives. They were the ones that we’ve never been able to get a connection with. Those that weren’t abused were far easier to connect with. When I retire I will expose those riders and what they did.
It looks bad, but I really don't think the horse is going to feel it as severe as it appears. They are big strong animals.
@outoforbit00 horse is clearly in pain.
@@melgrant7404 I understand why you’d think that, but in fact the point at which the lunging whip cracks, is not actually in the horse. And the “rope” part of the whip doesn’t cause much pain win is lands on skin. Why silts rally about is the distress from the horse because he no longer understands what he’s being asked to do. Whipping from behind asks him to go forward, but whipping from the front is an instruction we don’t give to horses. Basically the idiot has lost her shit and just abusing him.
Darker than we will ever know. The sound of that whip and the laugh is so evil.
The laugh was the woman recording the video.
Heartbreaking.
YES!!! Very evil and even the first words we hear from Dujardin. She was evil herself too
@@lesleywilbourne7823 Shame on her!
@@lesleywilbourne7823 that’s what annoyed me. She thought king and hard about releasing the video yet was cackling during the filming. Disgusting.
He behaviour was obviously not an isolated event…she was very efficient at abusing that
poor horse, and was just sorry she got caught …horrible stuff…👎🏽
Why are you sorry she go caught? I guess you suggest more equestrians are acting like this?
@@katharinatrub1338 Read my comment..I said SHE was sorry she got caught. Anyone who abuses horses is a vile human…no matter how many trophies they own…😡
'we have always had a partnership with horses...in war', I am not sure if anyone asked the horses how they felt about their role.
You can’t make a horses do something they don’t want to. As the interviewee pointed out - they’re half a ton of muscle and bone.
@@matthewkeith8605 Ah, yes, so they checked with the horses first before getting them to haul cannons on the battle-fields of the Somme. Duh.
Many of them were left behind…disgusting..👎🏽
@@matthewkeith8605no horse chooses to be ridden or worked, it is only the method of persuasion that is in question.
@@matthewkeith8605 that is a fallacy. Yes, it’s true that some horses will, for example, jack the job of showjumping and refuse to go over a pole.
However, the GREATER reality is that horses are sensitive, emotional, empathic, generous and genuine animals that are WILLING to let us bond and work with them (a privilege that should never be forgotten)-but this generosity and sensitivity also means it’s far too easy to dominate horses into learned helplessness. We are also their predators, and we do tap into their natural instincts for our benefit.
That you can’t make a horse do something it doesn’t want to is just as untrue as ‘horses have thick skin’. But you CAN have a wonderful partnership with a horse that’s willing to try, and wants to.
Um, this expert ex-jockey lady is, imho, completely making excuses. This is NOT rare on a professional level (I'm not talking about most people's backyard ponies, who are loved like pets). When money and pressure to perform and people's livelihoods are at stake, common sense can go out the window. The FEI has turned a blind eye to rollkur for years - there are laws on the books but they aren't enforced. I do feel sorry for Charlotte but from the casualness with which she did this on the video it was not a one-time incident. Karma's a b*tch...
@@truepenny2514 the FEI looks the other way all the time. Constantly disappointed and disgusted with what they allow to happen in international endurance. Money talks.
My thoughts exactly
@@truepenny2514
Being in the horse world since 5yrs old and over 40yrs, I've seen the ugly side of people. High priced horses, or cheaper ones. Backyard animals are also abused. I've worked with equine vets. Know the ignorance & cruelty ordinary people inflict on their animals.
Not all professionals are cruel.
It's the individual, not the discipline. (Field)
@@truepenny2514 agree, but for the " feeling sorry for Charlotte" ? Whaaat? Oh, h*ll no!
My message seems to have been deleted. I tried to make the point that Dujardin’s use of the whip was not “inappropriate”; it was vicious , relentless and sadistic. It appears to me from the horse’s body movements that it was terrified.
SPOT on. Pure sadism. The horse in question wasn’t remotely doing anything that could be perceived as ‘wrong’.
That’s the problem. It wasn’t a knee jerk reaction, or CJD losing her temper. They were enjoying it.
@@spellywellyagree.what a bully.
And Alicia Dickinson the owner you can hear laughing and videoing is appalling took her 4 years to release this that’s his much she cares for her horse.
Thanks Chris and your correct. Totally heartless it was scarey watching it, hate to think what young lady riding felt. Not dressage it's bondage dominatrix type. Charlotte dud not seem disappointed in herself at all.
@@lizroberts1569is it verified that Alicia Dickinson was the owner?
I've been involved with horses all my life and have kept them for 20 years. I have nothing to do with the horsey set because it's full of abusive people. I've seen it again and again and again. It's a cultural norm in the equestrian world.
I stay away from them to, I’ve been told for years that I’m too soft and letting my sensitive Arab off by getting off him and leading him past whatever he’s scared of, most horsey people think it’s normal to hit their horses. I did wonder how they got a horse to do the piaff because it’s not a normal movement, now I know x
So true. Bogged down in outdated, dogmatic practices. I gave up competing years ago after seeing how little regard people have for their horses, focusing only on ribbons and other accolades. It’s unfortunately common in all disciplines; happy to be a happy hacker and adopt a more holistic approach. Appalled by exposes such as this most recent example but under no illusion that this is a one-off or “error in judgment”.
It’s the norm.
@@samanthasmile8150 totally agree with your method of dealing with a sensitive horse. Showing your horse the way when they meet something that worries them should be the norm not beating your horse against its inherited instinct to flee.
Don't use a whip on my Charlie he's terrified of them .
They reward learning abuse with certificates at the BHS, and people who ride at approved yards are also supporting the many hundreds of establishments that are treating horses appallingly with toxic grazing and worm burdens. HORSE AND HOUND, BHS, SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, SHOWING ASSOCIATIONS, RACING all guilty of promoting abuse and it doesn't stop there, 45 years ive had horses and majority of those years have been on a professional level and i have experienced everything from sexual & coersive abuse, financial abuse and livery management siding with abusive owners and threatening people to keep quiet or leave. I aswell don't get involved anymore because I hate who these people are, they have ruined my life and my passion and contributed to my mental health issues unless you are deaf dumb and blind or just cold hearted theres no way to be comfortable in that world. I used to breed but I stopped because people were refusing to keep in touch, and then id see my horses at auctions, or even worse they breed or compete from them and then sell them at 20! i used to compete but gave up because of the abuse i had working for 3 different employers 2 of which are well known and the other is manager in France for a well known British feed brand, its deep
I believe Charlotte Dujardin’s career is in tatters as her sponsors reject her. I don’t think this was her first offence either. Very sad.
The woman clearly did not understand what the interview was about. She seemed to deny that there were bad, abusive people in the sport and everyone shared her love of animals. The fact is racing and show animals are widely abuse and trainers and owners will do anything to win. Ever heard of "soaring". Stop denying it and also look at drug use among trainers!
She has a ignorant cat lady vibe about her.
No, what is "soaring"?
@@MsVictory1945 definately coke!
Bingo
Mark Todd was similarly exposed and so I don’t believe that this is as rare as portrayed here.
These are “common” way to train the horse, was more cruelty in 70’-90’
It isn‘t. As an equine vet I‘ve been told of a lot worse training methods, all by staff too afraid to come forward out of fear to never being employed in their job again.
@@lynnm6413always happens to whistle blowers I’m afraid
Surely, the danger of her actions is giving the same idea to younger trainers that this is acceptable, and this is what you do to get results is absolutely appalling.
@@janjames2120 agree.whole thing about cruelty in training needs to be addressed.
Too late. They're churning them out in Germany for example in dressage horse mills
All pro riders abuse horses, don't be fooled, they've been abusing horses for decades. Horses need to be removed from the Olympics. Period.
well said raleigh
What then about all other horse competitions? Just trying to control and stomp things out without learning from situations is not the answer. It would just create a backlash. regardless.
A horse wrote this comment.
Loads of people abuse horses everyday but dont recognise it as abuse. Im sick of the lot of them they dont love horses
The entire global Equine industry needs a Massive overhaul. People have lots their minds and have desensitized themselves to abuse. We need to stop and look at who we've become. 😮
Non horsey people have no idea what goes on behind the scenes in sports where the prizes are high. A lunge whip is not an instrument of torture, it is more for chivvying but the pressure put on the muscular/skeletal system is horrendous, especially when horses are forced to be overbent (head behind the vertical). To my mind competitive "dressage" has had its day. The "natural horsemanship" movement can achieve amazing results. Competition involving animals is just wrong, people get too obsessed over money and prestige and ethics get left behind.
Quite right in all you say. I have refused to watch The Grand National for 50 years on the grounds of cruelty and number of deaths
Absolutely.
NH is amazing, but sadly some of the biggest names in that movement give the rest of us a bad name too.
I agree. All horse sports should be banned.
Agree money is behind it all.
Wake up! This is total normal in the most dressage stables! When the doors are closed. Come on: stop lying about this! Everyone who works in this industry knows that.....
Sadly this is true. I have worked on Dressage,Showjumping, and Eventing yards from the lower level to the top. It taught me how not to treat my horses.
It's an open secret. The hypocrisy in the horse industry is disgusting!
That is really upsetting horse was clearly in pain and it was as if she was pleasure from it
Agreed she didn't seem upset about her actions Carried on talking as usual but what I thought was even more disturbing the people that were present laughing (I didn't get it), what was funny?!
The Treatment Of Greyhounds, Has Long Been Known About, But There Are STILL Cases Of Evil Treatment…
@@Excommunicated-ei1ep all the time. They are not treated as sentient. Beings but purely machines who win or not. If not they are discarded as easily as a torn wrapper
Yes and what about the people who pay for animals to be abused and eat them. Horrific abuse.
@@jonjonwp
You Know, The Day The WEF Gets Its Own Way And Forces ALL Of Humanity To Go Vegan Or Fake Meat Eaters? Will Be The Day? We Will ALL Be Responsible For The Single Biggest Mass Extinction Event In Both Human And World History? Next To That Of The Dinosaurs! Through An Act Of WORLDWIDE Mass Slaughter, OF ALL Domesticated Breeds Of Animals (For Food, Work Or Even As Pets), The World Will Has Ever Known?
Because The Very Moment That ALL Of These Breeds Of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats, Horses, Poultry: Chickens, Turkeys, Geese, Ducks Etc, Etc…Will No Longer Serve A Purpose? Not Even For Dairy Produce: Milk, Eggs, Cheese Or Butter Either?
The WEF And Their Global Corporate Marxist Puppet: Politicians And Governments, Will Then Classify ALL Of Those Breeds Of Domesticated Animals And Poultry As…”Useless Eaters”! Producing NOTHING But Methane And Nitrogen (Remember The “EU/UN/WHO” (WEF!) Policy On “NetZero”?)…
…What do You Think That ALL Of These WEF Puppet Governments, Would Do With Those BILLIONS Of Animals And Poultry? Let Them ALL Out? Wander The Earth, Like Cattle Do In India?! All Roaming Around Towns And Cities? While You’re On A Bench With Your Soy Latte And iPhone…A Little Cute Calf, Will Come Up To You? With You Stroking Its Head Going “Ohhh My Little Mate!”?
Klaus (Anal) Schwab Is ALREADY On Record, Calling For The End Of Having ANY Pets…Even Worse Than That? Has Openly Called For Putting Down Any/ALL Pets That You Already Have?! So What Do Really Think He’ll Have Done, To The Whole World’s DOMESTICATED Animals?!
Remember, They’ll Be BILLIONS Of Them! Too Many To “Put Down” Humanely. So They’ll Probably Be Mass Slaughtered Openly On The Spot? Or Hunted Like Wild Animals, Until The Very Last Animal Is Killed…I Think That’ll Qualify As “Abusive”, Wouldn’t You? So Be Careful What You Wish For…And Also The VERY Naive Narrative, That You’re Pushing…
…Because The Only REAL Narrative That You’re Serving? Is The WEF’s, Which Has NOTHING But Malevolent Marxist Intentions, Not Just To 83% Of Humanity? But To ALL Of Domesticated Animal Kind Too? THINK ABOUT IT…
Alice Plunkett is not being totally honest. The blood rule that Charlotte was eliminated for was definitely not in the mouth it was from her spurs and the horse Freestyle who is going to the olympics this year with a different rider. She also defends racing, the horses live in a completely manufactured environment, they suffer with ulcers because they have to be fit and therefore are not turned out to graze but fed a controlled diet. I love dressage but the abuse has got out of hand and the public do not know the half of it. The showing world is barbaric, as is showjumping evening etc. This man is spot on in everything he says. At the end of the day we are very lucky to be able to ride horses and we should treat them with humanity and respect.
Agreed. I trained for 12 years approximately in dressage, non competitivly. Never ever did I see or hear about this stuff it's all top level competition. It's meant to be an art and when trained well it's beautiful. Read the Seven Deadly Sins of Dressage.
If all this continues with the uproar, all competitions with horses will be banned everywhere and if the animal activists would have it, people would not be allowed to ride horses and they'll need to be kept just as pets. This will drill way down to pony club level because inexperienced people also train horses and could inadevertently cause distress to horses. It's not just at the top levels. People can be just as driven to get a ribbon.
Yup!!!
@@maggsm3392 I totally agree but there would not be a public uproar if horses were not abused, if we the equestrian community got our house in order the antis would not have ammunition but unfortunately the instances of poor practices stretch far and wide and therefore we are our own worst enemy
@@anneleisebrown6850 Unfortunately this is not a perfect world and people make mistakes, have a bad day or are either ignorant, impatient or untrained in more humane ways to train horses. Human's are competitive beasts and it's not only horses that can be treated badly in high level (or low) competitions for the sake of glory. There'll always be cheats. The Olympics is full of them.
Sorry but I’ve owned a horse for many years, this lady is lying, whipping horses is normal in this community, I have been criticised for years for not hitting my horse x
Yes she is ,she also skipped answering the blood on the side of the horse caused by over use of spurs, this got CDJ eliminated at the European dressage finals in 2021.
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x she is clearly an apologist for the industry. She seems only the "ideal" behavior, not the reality.
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x she attempted to justify it as a bitting issue, as if strapping mouths shut with double bridles on is ok?! So tired of this rhetoric.
@@MsVictory1945yes, she is more concerned for Dujardin’s well-being and the negative publicity discouraging young equestrians than for the welfare of the horses. I would have preferred someone appear who talked about how this cruelty damages the horse, how craven and unnecessary it is.
@@MsVictory1945 Yes you are right, watched her normalising race horse deaths on the flat and over jumps, her answers and comments were jaw dropping.. Am so pleased that Carl Hester CDJ team mate trainer and sort of business partner really condemned what she had done.
I feel so terrible for the poor horse and all the other horses she's likely abused over the years. And, the person laughing while taping the abuse is extremely sick and disheartening.
Why on earth is the woman holding the camera laughing? Whoever she is, she should be punished, too.
😅
She doesn't sound horrified by what's happened. Why is she defending Charlotte as if it's an unfortunate accident that this has come out?
The laughter from the person taking the video is telling.
The relationship with horses is always one sided. Millions of horses died in both World wars, none returned home, they were slaughtered to feed to POWs. Racing is an appalling industry. If you truly cared about horses you would never compete in any of the disciplines at top level. Just look at three day eventing. No one sees the 99% who don’t make the grade in racing and frequently end up in the slaughterhouse.
@@pearlsimmons6197 indeed: 112 deaths in racing in the first 6 months of 2024, scandal after scandal in dressage, jumping, eventing, polo....thousands sent to slaughter for not making the grade"....
@@pearlsimmons6197 The majority of those involved with horses do not do so to compete (other than maybe occasional local fun competitions - similar to local fêtes and certainly not money relates). Most people ride/do ground work for the experience of communication with a phenomenal animal... And retraining OTB (Off the track thorougbred racehorse) is very common now ie most ex racehorses are still very young and not slaughtered. See some good examples on YT.
I bought 20 kill pen horses.
@@ritawing1064 Can you enlighten me on the scandals in Showjumping 🤔
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x 2004, 2008 olympics doping, 2024 Max Kuenher....come on, you can use the Internet! Mark Todd, James Smith....
Disgusting!! More vids have emerged showing this is her standard. Ban for life. If she does ever compete again, she will thankfully face public condemnation. But there is abuse in all equine competition, at all levels.
What other videos are there.
Yeah, I went to a local horse show and in the stable area they had the horses heads tied back such that their mouths got sore so they keep there heads down....I gave them dirtly looks and the woman threatened me, it was happening it multiple places...my only recourse was to go to the show office and tell them it was happening. They looked at me surprised and said they would look into it, doubtful they ever did.
Though regarding this Charlotte incident...I am not condoning what she did but this is an industry wide problem, so just scapegoating her feels very hypocritical.
I know nothing of horses or horse training but it is clear from the video that Dujardin is used to treating horses that way; she wasn't caught in the heat of the moment and taken aback by her own actions, as evidenced by her body language, imo. What's more, the person recording her clearly thought nothing of the abuse either as, not only did they not stop recording but can actually be heard laughing in the background. All this suggests that this was another Tuesday for Dujardin and that it, her being at the top of the sport, just points to what is tacitly considered acceptable for the industry. The Alice lady seems naive or in denial at best, or hypocritical at worst.
Charlotte Dujardin appeared adept at horse-whipping. She had certainly done it before from her level of ‘expertise’ handling the weapon/whip. It is so sad for Charlotte and the industry. Her passion for a medals, winning, at the cost of hurting the horse is beyond understanding. July 2024 will be remembered for opening the world’s eye to this abuse.
Agree. Money is the motivation for her cruelty.
Hopefully one good thing to come out if all this..
See how Alice Plunkett wouldn't answer the blood caused by the over use of spurs. She's also married to William Fox Pity, one of the worlds best 3 day event riders and a very well respected horse man.
Maybe controversial opinion, but as bad as this may be, these horses aren't suffering to 1 tenth the extent _billions_ of animals are, right now, in factory farms. Which almost everyone reading this comment probably eats the end result of regularly. I don't mean to practice whataboutism, horses involves in equestrian sports should still be cared for. It's just that it seems to me to require an insane amount of cognitive dissonance to think _this_ is utterly unacceptable, but normal farming conditions are fine.
Yes, completely agree, been trying to make this point all day. All this finger pointing and virtue signalling and nearly everyone guilty of some eggregiousness relative to animal welfare. Even feeding your dog is problematic. Not that we shouldn't try and do better but it is this 'high horsing' that bugs me.
Charlotte needs to be charged with ANIMAL ABUSE.
So does the laughing owner Alicia Dickinson the owner of the horse! So much for care.
@@lizroberts1569 that laughing woman should never be allowed near a horse either.....
Look up Cian O'Connor and his antics, still working in the equestrian world. You could not make it up !
What antics ?
You should see what he did with the girls working at his place………..
The reason why horses in these “sports” (like Dressage, horse racing, etc.) continue to be abused is because those judging these “sports” and Vets, and the Justice System, turn a blind eye to the abuse, and the abusers, and refuse to ban these “sports.” Just like with any torturous gear designed to cause pain; for example, tie downs, whips, spurs, many kinds of bits, and certain types of face gear(chains) that horses are abused with, the usual statement of “it’s how the item is used” is what the establishment hides behind, and so the horse abuse continues. Finally, Dressage should have been banned as a “sport” a long time ago.
Dujardin's barbaric behaviour does not reflect the standards or values of the people of the U.K.. Therefore she should no longer be permitted to represent the United Kingdom in any way.
Dressage looks like it hurts, burn it down... a figure of speech.
Violence to correct violence ??
Dressage in its purest form works with the horse’s natural movement. It aims to bring about balance and lightness in the horse’s body. All movements can be seen at liberty in the field. Unfortunately, it has turned into a circus. Look up Reiner Klimke or Alois Podhoysky.
Let’s not be fooled, this behaviour is rampant in the horse world from low level local events to Olympic level. Everybody starts for the love of the horse but the culture of “needing to show the horse who is boss” is there right from the beginning. It’s normalised from the start. Those of us with morals and real care for the horse quit competition riding early and enjoy our horses quietly at home. Honestly, the sooner it loses its social licence for competition the better.
BIG THANKS for exposing this disgusting animal abuser!
She is a total disgrace..👎🏽
Most at that level act similarly, so, my beef with this scandal is scapegoating one person when it is an entire industry that is complicit.
@myronschabe now things may change now the lid has been lifted.
@@myronschabe 100% most who aren't won't compete anymore nor judge because of this behaviour and treatment. It's all about money being the root of all evil and I'm not churchy but this is so bloody true!! EFI had their hands really pushed to act on this one or any reports made with proof
@@myronschabe yes i agree this needs some putting under the microscope. Suspect outing of CDJ was for a competitive advantage/payback.. but we must now take the opportunity to scrutinise all in this sport as to which side of the fence they are sitting on. Or if they are sitting on the fence give them a gentle tap to get off it and sit one side or the other. They either walk the walk or talk the talk its as simple as that.
Alice Plunkett: you are not saying the truth. And you know that....
Of course she's not she's a worshipping fan of CDJ. At least Carl Hester CDJ team mate and trainer of her and her horses has condemned her actions.
She‘s shown her disregard for horse welfare by claiming the FEI has high standards…..laughable!
She also claimed the BHA had high welfare standards, and in the next breath normalising racing deaths and the treatment if them when they can no longer do the job.
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x CJD was Hesters protégé she learnt this 'training method' from someone...is he blameless? or trying to save his own skin? As people make the link and turn their focus on Hester and question this... not saying he is... but the questionable link as to where did she get such 'training methods' from is obvious as she is quite confident doing it according to the video so its not an isolated one off occasion.
@@olwenrose2780Yeah let's wreck someone's career because someone else beat a horse. Shame on you.
People have no idea what goes on behind closed doors in the horse world. Whether the abuse happens at the hands of a trainer (competitor) or regular horse owners. Many people in the horse industry are rotten to the core, and many are not. I am glad she was exposed, and I hope her competition and trainer days are over. I worry for her own horses.
At around 17mins Alice states that she has never seen an elite (equestrian) athlete come down on a horse like she has seen in the Dujardin footage. But Alice, to start with - you had never expected Dujardin to be caught during her years long summit. So, if you could not have imagined this scenario 5 days ago; how can you be so sure there is not more in the (elite) industry. Since you have been in the industry for a long time; I do not believe you have not seen instances of abuse by other measures than a whip or any sort.
I fear Dujardin has staked a nail directly into the equestrian coffin.
She did yammer on and on, didn't she? You don't need to go looking for abuse in the horse world; it will find you. I felt that she was just protecting all the people she knows, doesn't want to cause trouble at the next get together.
As an equestrian, the sports are not inherently cruel, but the governing bodies like the FEI are absolutely corrupt and abuse has become institutionalized because it is super rare for them to permanently ban riders. Charlotte is in a sense a scapegoat, not because she doesn't deserve punishment for what she did, but because there are tons of others who have done the equivalent and are still competing in the olympics.
Agreed! 100%
Why has the British Horse Society not said anything plus are the RSPCA & Police investigating
RSPCA and the police’s expertise runs out where the streetlights do.
@matthewkeith8605 rspca needs to show their teeth here.otherwise they will also lose my respect.
They are now investigating.
@@olivere5497 Not to be making light of this but - The Police? Surely the police have more important issues to deal with than a woman with a lunging whip.
I don't think RSPCA has much power and remember...rich people will fight tooth and nail to keep doing what they're doing. I'm not optimistic that any changes will come from this. They might just isolate her and pretend it's a once-off. 😢
As for your guest mentioning Mark Todd, who was suspended for beating a horse with a tree branch, she failed to add that he is now training racehorses.
Abuse is rampant in horseracing. Probably why he is doing it now. Disgusting.
It makes horse racing seem a better lot for the horse. The only time my horse is ever hit is when racing, and that is only briefly as he loves racing, the rest of the time he enjoys the attention of the lovely gentle people at the yard where he is loved and respected. I have never seen anyone using a whip while going up the gallops because the horses love what they are doing.
I personally would do away with the whip in racing and feel that is the right way to go to make it acceptable to the public.
@@HorseLover-hl4kw I agree. If the whip were banned on the track there would be no argument about 'correct' use. It would also improve riding standards. I think a darker problem in the racing world is the care afforded to the many horses that don't succeed, or even have any chance of success on the track.
@@auldburdlaughin Well said
I am a retired rider and I was taught to use a crop as a riding aid. I never carried one and fail to understand where a whip fits into a partnership arrangement. Isn’t it time to ban a whip in competition riding. Just because its use is historical does not make it correct. I also don’t condone releasing a video on the internet with the purpose of trying to destroy another persons career. There would have been plenty of other avenues to pursue accountability. I have seen riders bully horses countless times.
If it isn't brought to light, it'll just carry on, as it has done for decades (at least). Most people have no idea what goes on in the equestrian world. Yes, as you've observed, horses are routinely bullied and abused. People need to know, so that maybe something will be done about it. I truly hope this is a turning point.
As a rider I still can't fathom how the horse was supposed to know what the trainer was trying to communicate? I can't figure out what is being asked, how can the horse?
The Equestrian world seems to attract sadistic personalitys as born out by this Video, Its absolutely endemic as anyone who has been on a Yard knows.
No, it is not that it is the equestrian world that is particulary sadistic, is it a human pattern for an ego to lose its cool when it is frustrated and wanting to control something especially when something/someone is more vulnerable than it.
Agreed the success of dominance over a 500kg animal makes some wee people feel very strong and in control. Pathetic and repulsive.
BIIIGGGGG MAAANN (little man/or woman) 😂
That woman should receive a lifetime ban from keeping horses. Never mind just competition. She's cruel and horrible.
Sad thing is, people tend to tar others with the same brush. She has brought the sport in to disrepute.
@@kepnjem exposed it for sure.
Clearly this is normal practice in the sport. The trainer, rider, horse and spectators seemed to see no problem with this behaviour.
Nobody complained including the horse.
Are they all to be banned?
The horse showed displeasure and annoyance by kicking out, unsurprisingly.
Yeah, as pointed out in another comment, the horse did complain by kicking out. They can only communicate to us through their body.
Andy, if Charlottle chased you around the room with a whip, and tried climbing on your back for 30 minutes with a saddle im sure you would beg for mercy.
@@olivere5497 He might pay for it...Dujardin can probably branch out.
All but the horse....all 3 humans present complicit in the horse torture & bullying..
Sorry, she didn't make a mistake. She has done this sort of thing OFTEN. There are other videos of her riding a horse with a blue tongue. She clearly (on a regular basis) does not treat her horses lightly as they should be treated
Blue tongue is a different rider. Get your facts straight.
@@andtrrrot My facts are correct. Charlotte Dujardin has also been seen ridng rolkur and with a blue tongue. You need to research a bit more!
@@andtrrrot czcams.com/users/shortsbFqsxSppDbU?si=kRgBAUk7BE3QBjw6
I have worked as a groom for many years I see to much ego and not enough horsemanship every day.
That is appalling, but so is the slaughter and consumption of any animals, and what about the child rapist who should be banned from the Olympics too!!!???
He's not a cannibal though.
@@olivere5497 no he's a child rapist!!!
@@olivere5497my God its getting spicey who's talking about who
@@maggsm3392 was that comment to me!!??
@@GojoChCh no sorry. I meant to fix it but had to go out.
The only positive thing of this is that it will raise more awareness!!! Behaviour like this must ALWAYS be reported no matter who it is that is doing the evil deed!!!!
We all know that this is normal behavior in the horse world and absolutely not an isolated incident!!. Most people have no idea of the daily abuse these horses endure at every training session. All of the equestrian sports involves abuse and the welfare of the horse is non existant. Dressage is one of the worst and should not be in the Olympics. All of her medals should be taken away and she should be prosecuted and banned from ever owning another animal.
10:30 Dujardin's elimination at the Euros was due to blood on the flank, not from the mouth.
Yes it was and Alice Plunkett skipped around the subject, typical.
Ban her from any contact with animals, fine her and rescind previous accomplishments.
@@alistairpop1278and ban her from owning a cardboard box factory too!
Enlighten me please, how can you draw blood on a flank, spurs, are they sharpened
@@GojoChCh Hi, Gojo.
The spurs are not sharpened. But the rider was very violent
Dressage judges reward the fruits of this abuse. It will not disappear until judges start rewarding relaxation above all else. Rhythm and relaxation are the base of the training pyramid, but they are not prioritzed in the judging.
THIS, absolutely! Anyone remember classical dressage, almost beyond living memory now.
Let’s rewind to the days of Reiner Klimke. One can view videos of his beautiful soft dressage performances, the horse is relaxed, and rhythmic. He could achieve advanced movements using a simple snaffle bit. A true partnership.
Time to ditch the apparatus of double bridles and spurs for dressage competitions as they can be misused as we have seen.
It is also possible to lunge a horse without using a lunge whip.
@@HorseLover-hl4kw Well said. Thanks for the reminder about Dr Klimke. Many dressagistes today are a blight on the centuries-old art of classical dressage. And indeed the lunge whip... it's a "pointing stick" and should not touch the horse. I lunge by voice, and horses respond very well to it. True partnership must always be the objective!
I've heard from eventing circles that the rider who is replacing Charlotte treats her horses abusively, even more poorly than C. Rough, cruel treatment of all horses has to end.
That is totally untrue. Shame on you for spreading malicious gossip.
What is the riders name ? All the eventing world would know who she is and would have openly told you if it were true, stop making things up , you're a liar Blanche a liar you've always been a liar..😱🤣
What's the riders name ? Who ever told you would have said who she is and probably the name of her horse too. Please don't make things up ,as this could have dire consequences.
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x the name of CDJ's replacement and name of the horse has already been announced, I'm just choosing not to name names.
I'm not making things up, nor am I lying or gossiping, just telling the very ugly truth about this inarguably elitist sport where some of the big names use disgusting, outdated training methods on horses who, needless to say, can't speak for themselves. There is a code of silence partially caused by the lashing whistleblowers receive.
I'm sure Andrew Gould hope I got the name right is replacing her not a women
This shouldn’t be shocking to anyone who understands animals roles in making money for people. This equestrian journalist is lying when she claims she doesn’t know. This behaviour will be the norm. And I am the most sentimental person over animals and even I can see this is not an example of animal cruelty as we know it. The horse wouldn’t even be injured with the force being used. People talking shit about a non event
Yeah, look I am a PETA member, vegan, horse person, and honestly, this video while certainly overkill is just not THAT bad. Did she give the horse welts? I mean worse are when there is too much pressure on the mouth with heinous bits and horse tied up and whipped etc., I wouldn't consider it a non event but it does seem a bit overblown to me...Charlotte for sure, should know better, to be at her level and be this lazy and ignorant, is certainly disappointing but it is not the worst offense ever to be sure.
I just hope it is has some positive impact ultimately for horse welfare.
@myronschabe this is still animal abuse .can't see how people need to play it down. The horse still clearly felt pain.this has caused a considerable amount of anger for a non event. A non event where the horse was struck more than 20 times. People who condone animal abuse are as bad as the ones doing it.
@hansiesma16 if you are sentimental about animals you certainly don't show it.
@@melgrant7404 this overreaction is idiotic. I think buying a French bulldog is more cruel than this
@@melgrant7404 this is not animal abuse. How on earth can you see that the horse was in pain? That horse weighs 600 kg. I weigh 60 kg and that whipping wouldn’t hurt me. Police horses suffer fear on a regular basis. Farm animals are tortured every day in their millions. Domestic pets suffer hideous abuse. Get some perspective.
FEI allows Rolkur gear in training dressage horses (fixed reins forcing the horse’s head behind the vertical - rather than taking time to train and develop proper muscle to carry themselves in that way) resulting in many dressage riders winning points when their horses hold their heads behind the vertical. You see many horses with blue tongues and stressed out faces that win the FEI approved dressage events. The abuse in the horse world is much more wide spread than this outrageous example. There need to be horse welfare standards adopted.
Who are the "many" horses with blue tongues who are winning?
@@andtrrrot Kittel and Helgstrand to name but two
If the person who was filming this was so concerned why was she laughing throughout the filming. I would have thought she would have said something to Charlotte right then. I don’t agree with Charlotte’s actions but I think there is more to the reason for releasing this video. Perhaps a revenge issue?
Thank you for covering this topic with insight, compassion, and a balanced understanding of what goes on in equestrian sports. This is the best discussion of the subject that I have seen produced since the footage was released. Thank you for explaining to non equestrians about how whips are used and about the blood caused by the bit, (or spurs for that matter.) I am saddened by how this video surfacing puts all equestrians in one box. People who have not had the opportunity to share their lives with horses are sometimes quick to judge simply riding a horse as abusive. Those who have had the gift of spending their lives with horses cannot explain the beauty of the connection, the trust, and the amazing sense of teamwork that we get to experience. It is all of our responsibility to treat horses respect and appreciate what they bring to our lives, and to educate others.
Hello! - just stopping by to say thank you for taking the time to organise and post this quick little discussion on the topic. I'm looking forward to seeing how the industry will begin to change and how we all need to allow space for thinking and changing cultures to normalise improving welfare standards.
In 2019, she was eliminated for blood due to her spurs, not the bit.
That cow is not just tapping that poor horse, she is absolutely belting it with all her strength!!!!!! She should never be able to own any animal again …. Ever!!!!!! She is absolutely disgusting!!!!!!
If someone did that to a dog, they'd be banned from keeping a dog ever again
I don't deny that what charlotte was doing was awful, but it's absurd to me that suddenly the whole equestrian world is up in arms about this incident of whipping when the FEI are regularly dishing out ribbons to riders who are riding horses around pro standard dressgae arenas hyperflexed, with blue tongues and trailing hocks... THIS is also shitty abusive training but it gets applauded time and time again for looking flashy and any lay person watching thinks is fabulous... heart breaking really.
I guess whipping is the quickest way to get the horse to trot in an unnatural way. I wonder if we should be using any animals for sport and entertainment?
Good question.
I don’t think we should. Just thinking of rodeos and how many animals are abused there. Same with circuses.
This is a question like should we eat animals. Unanswerable
We shouldn’t. No question.
If you don't know the difference between a trot or a canter, perhaps you shouldn't be commenting.
Bringing the debate and opening it up is a must.
No matter what, you don’t use abuse or cruelty or anything that can physically or mentally hurt to train a horse, a dog, a cat, a child, an adult, or any living being. It’s cruel period. It also can and actually does often cause worse reactions that can last long and/or permanently. Reactions like anxiety, fear, aggression that always escalate the more you use cruel methods and/or don’t get them the professional help they need. Reactions that can cause them to in turn hurt others and have to be euthanized or if human, put in jail. It’s scientifically proven and historically proven that you should never use cruelty to teach and/or train. Human and animal cruelty is against the law for many important reasons. The mind and body are fully connected. Both should always be treated only with great care and kindness, but especially to the innocent.
SHE GOT CAUGHT
SHE SHOULD BE SENT TO PRISON FOR CRULTY
SHE SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF HER MEDALS
Alice Plunkett saying that the relationship between horses is one of "partnership and not domination" is nonsense. It is one of utter domination. Working horses are our slaves. We break their will and then force them to do whatever we want them to do. Whips have always been constantly at our sides when dealing with horses and for good reason. Horses know what a whip can do. They have experienced them first hand. If not, they why do riders carry them? It looks to me that Alice Plunkett is doing a PR job for equestrian sports and we should be aware of that.
I grew up around horses, I can tell you didn’t. In some cases you find men (it’s a very macho approach) who have the whips and spurs mentality you do but here in the UK at least it’s predominantly female lead.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
@@matthewkeith8605 this is categorically untrue. I’ve seen plenty of female riders drawing horses heads between their knees with draw reins, sawing on their mouths with elaborate bit/combination set-ups, and flogging horses that won’t do what they want. This is not an exhaustive list. Even on the lower end of the scale, if we can call it that, the prevalence/overuse of training “aids” (spurs, whips etc.) is marked and should have no place in our relationships with horses.
It has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with compliance and the obsessive pursuit of it in order to achieve some arbitrary objective which the horse has zero concept of.
If anyone tries to defend this woman, they are as cruel as Dujardin is.
People who participate in the Olympics have a choice whether to participate, the horse does not, the horse is a victim of circumstance. Sad
This is not shocking to anyone with a passing familiarity with equestrian sports. These people are being disengenous.
Sorry but this lady is in total denial of the facts of cruelty in equestrian.
The male speaker was spot on. I have been involved with horses my whole
Life and have seen first hand the cruelty in horses with sport. That’s why I did not compete! Racing is a cruel industry, the numbers of racehorses sent for slaughter is there! The abuse is well recorded.
Why have that woman on the show to drone on and on about her emotions and self-centered soliloquy about nonsense? Get people on who are logical and who have the ability to discuss the actual subject matter concisely. She's also clearly too emotional to be able to focus on the analysis of that one video and how that should be viewed (as a mere snapshot) in totality.
Above all: how was the horse actually injured, was it injured at all?
Absolutely! She would not even face the topic of the interview. She kept leading away and deflecting to truth of animal abuse!
Handling horses isn’t like operating a machine, horses are emotional and you have to be in touch with their feelings as they are with yours.
So of course she talks about feelings and her experiences.
Horse clearly was in pain .that is the point here.
@@melgrant7404 Was it though? Was it really? Or did it just get scared of it and avoid the unpleasant feeling? And how soft are you? I get hurt in many sports.
Horses can get scared of crowds, should all events be cancelled?
Cows are scared of electric fences, should they be banned?
@@pistonburner6448 so you condone animal abuse I get it now.
Horse was scared so it's abuse.
This is not an isolated event with Charlotte. Someone reporting on this has said there are other videos of her abusing other horses. She needs to be investigated. The entire industry needs to be investigated and the abuse must be stopped. Yes ZERO tolerance.
This made me tearful. The full video showed the poor horse jumping and kicking his leg when being whipped and trying desperately to get away from the whip by trotting close to the walls So heartbreaking. They don’t have a voice they don’t voluntarily perform They are used and clearly abused. So so sad 😢 and the absolutely disgusting sniggering evil sound coming from the video taker. The rider should have also objected so she is just as cruel and heartless
Anyone familiar with show horses at an elite (and not so elite) level is well aware of the scandals and cruelties of the sport. 1995: Lindemann v. Am. Horse Assn where you have horses being killed for insurance; 2004 Olympics, Cian O’Connor, stripped of gold medal and received a three month ban from competition for doping his horse with human sedatives; 2008 Olympics, Denis Lynch barred from competing in the show jumping final because his horse tested positive for a banned substance called ‘capsaicin’. And claiming ignorance won't cut it.
omg and the laughing
Love horses, had horses growing up and I have always hated dressage!
what a evil man vine is look at what he did in the alex befield trial
Why didn't the rider stop and say they don't want their horse to be treated like that? Who let's someone whip their animal?!!
Feeling the Pressure of preforming is not an excuse
Ban all horse sports. End of ...
That isn’t the answer because it isn’t an achievable goal. There’s just too much money involved. Also, take away human use for the horse and the horse as we know it will cease to exist, relegated only to a meat animal.
I think the best way forward is to advocate for achievable changes-tighter regulations and a zero-tolerance abuse policy. 6 month bans are ridiculous, pointless and change nothing.
Effective public outrage, advocacy and objection could, I’m certain, go a long way to accomplishing that. Nothing will ever touch horse racing but for the other sports, public perception matters.
@spellywelly obviously people will always ride horses for pleasure so horses will always be loved and have a use.maybe there will come a time when racing has more regulation like banning of whip use and maybe tighter regulations in horse training.
@@melgrant7404 right. The best immediate change I’d like to see would be stopping all 2y/o races. But that’s unlikely, because it means a further year to pay for keep and training, and racing is big business.
But we have the same idea. I’d love to see the double bridle outlawed. Then I’d love to see how many top dressage riders could ride one side of their horses without it!
I am shocked and never imagined that these horses could be treated this way. I thought it was about a bond between owner and horse through constant training. I thought the horses were enjoying the experience and well cared for. However after almost 70 years ob this earth I have discovered that everything is tainted by lies and corruption. I have zero interest in the Olympics anymore but I think the dressage should be completely cancelled in Paris. I could never watch it again.
I've trained and had horses my entire life. A horse that loves you will break it's heart 4 you. Never had 2 hurt a horse. I learned a long time ago that a loved trained horse is easy to train. A horse that you train fast through fear and pain will train faster, but it is simply a controlled runaway. The first chance he gets he'll take that bit, because vicious bits make a hard mouth and will rid itself of it's abuser. I've watched this happen. You can't stop it and you will be run into a fence, or even worse rear over and shatter your back. Pain or hunger is never a tool and it's faster. True equestrian bring their horse along slowly. Poor equestrian have to resort to torture. Their torturer will be dead or worse a child. The horse at that point is quite insane and will grow up a danger to everyone. They can be brought back with love and patience, the little horse from California is a perfect example. However the cost is enormous of a world class racer or jumper, Tennessee walker etc. It's time to support the good equestrian and should be required to train their own horse imho. Damn shame all the way around. Just my opinion. True horseman would just be patient and our teams must be supported financially as well ASAP. Ty.
She should be stripped of any other medals she's had and banned from ever having Horses again!!!....Remember that this is Animal Abuse! Horses are so in tune with you if you simply take the time ...and drop the whip.
She is "shocked and appalled" ,that's lie number 1...they know this cruelty is rampant in the sport. A sport predominately for rich people
A posh woman hitting the horse.
A posh woman riding the horse and allowing it.
And a posh woman giggling and filming it ( sounds like)
Middle to upper class people being cruel as usual, that's what it looks like.
I'd like to hear Monty Roberts views on this whipping episode on this poor horse
Animal abuse is normal wherever animals are used for human entertainment, food, scientific experiments. Whoever says that they are not abused is a liar.
The rider allowed this whipping too! The one filming is guilty. This ex Olympian should be held accountable! We never hit or whipped our horses. It's a privilege to own a horse! ❤
If you think about it, all sports are abuse , even on humans .
Blood rule doesn't only apply to bit causes and many have been eliminated using g the blood rule caused by spurs. Not virtually impossible to cause blood by whipping (what next), ask the horses in the Para, Helgstrand scandals.
Of course it defines her.she did it to herself.
Good discussion. Alice was an excellent choice to participate. Did not know of her prior, she seemed to be the experienced voice of reason.
Only know a little about this but I'm wondering is the person who released the footage the 'owner' of the footage, as in is it the person laughing as the horse is whipped? If so, then I find it a very strange case indeed, and 'morality' would be a dubious excuse.
On the issue itself - horses, especially Dressage, do movements unnatural to them. In a sense they are forced to become 'human', to dance. So, it's obvious, they have to be 'trained' to do the unnatural. Anyone who suggests dressage trainers do all that with treats and 'Good Boy', well, they are and have been fooling themselves. My point IS, Charlotte Dujardin herself was TRAINED, by her own experiences. She acts like this because she has seen others 'Teach' this way. It's natural, it's second nature, she's not unique. Others just haven't been filmed and will still compete.
Hester handled her dont think he isnt the same as her for one second. Another dirty mason
Please save us the hypocrisy and go back to turning a blind eye to the 'Grind' that occurs on the Faroe Islands - which is part of Denmark and as such is accepted by the EU.
Tell me more about this please 👍
@@user-tg5vs1xz5x : If I described it graphically my comment would immediately be deleted - Google it.
At last the treatment that is given to horses is being evaluated. I hope the public will consider what race horses have to endure so that humans can make money!!
Charlotte in common with a mass of other producers are running a buisiness . That fact can take over unfortunately
The abuse shown in the video is bad but do these people screaming animal abuse pay for animals to be be abused and eat them? The cruelty. is horrific.
Shocked at a history of abuse in equestrian sports? When I started riding, people put chains on their horses feet to train for dressage, why is there shock that people haven't learned much in 40 years?
The problem starts with "breaking" a horse in order to do something totally unnatural to it - carry a human and live in comparative isolation.
Is this over done?
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Brought to the fore just at the start of the Olympics !!
No doubt the timing is not coincidental....looks like person filming was part of all this till it was delayed and used to their advantage....we also need to know who filmed it was and who the rider was.. not condoning CDJs actions one little bit quite the opposite but I fear this was not done for animal welfare but for more nefarious reasons...that part also needs outing!
She'll never compete again because the general public would not allow it. She'd be crucified by social media! Also it would not be good for the sport or its image.