I have always loved the Olympics and part of that is because of the platform it gives Equestrian to the general public. Other than racing, our sport rarely makes it in front of normal poeple. But the Olympics is different. During the Olympics the public get behind athletes from a number of different sports, especially sports we are likely to win a medal in. And we have won a lot of medals over the years in Equestrian. But this year is different.
Just days after the positive news stories around Charlotte Dujardin potentially breaking the record for the number of Olympic medals one by a female British athlete, the Equestrian Poster Girl came tumbling down. In a formal statement, Charlotte withdrew herself from the Olympics after a welfare complaint was being investigated by the FEI. The following day, the video was everywhere causing arguments within the equine world and casting a dark shadow over equestrian as a sport.
I have seen comments range from “she’s done nothing wrong” to calls for her head. I’ll be honest, the first short clip of the video I saw, I cringed but I didn’t think it was awful. I compared it back to the Mark Todd controversy a few years ago and thought it probably looked worse than it was. But when a longer video started doing the rounds, I couldn’t see how anyone could defend the video.
I know I am not a professional rider. I have never, and likely will never, train and ride horses to the level Charlotte is at. I don’t truly know what goes into training top level dressage horses. But from my experience of working with and training horses, I do not believe the level of force in the video is needed. If I am wrong, and that level of force is needed to train certain movements, then I do not believe we should be asking those movements of our horses.
This isn’t coming from a “pony patter” mentality. I believe in the use of whips and spurs as training tools. I have no problem with someone cracking a whip on the floor to motivate a horse forward. I understand the principle of touching/tapping a schooling whip against a horses legs to encourage lift. I do not believe either of these things cause the horse harm and can help give the horse clear messages as to what we are asking of them.
Charlotte’s actions in the video were wrong. I don’t see how anyone can argue anything other than that. I trust that the FEI will investigate and hand out a fair punishment for her actions. Because no matter what punishment they decide, her reputation is ruined. She will no longer be the British poster girl for Equestrian. She has already lost most, if not all, of her sponsors and partnerships. While I am sure she will return to dressage at some point, mud sticks. I can see this preventing her from being picked to represent Team GB in future, especially for the Olympics in the full view of the general public. I feel that is the price she will have to pay for her actions. It’s sad for many, perhaps unfair. But it is the stand we have to take to show the world horse welfare is important.
I am a big believer in that a happy horse is a relaxed horse. I think you probably can use forceful training to get a horse to the top of any sport. But I don’t believe a horse trained using these methods will look happy and relaxed in competition. I think this is especially true in dressage. Yes there’s always going to be an element of competition nerves or movements they are less confident in. But on the whole, I think most of us can spot a happy, relaxed horse vs a tense, anxious one. Going forward, we should focus on rewarding the relaxed horses vs the impressive but tense movements.
With this belief, I can look back at some of Charlotte’s success over the years, in particular the superstar that was Valegro, and I can say on the whole, her horses were relaxed and happy. Both Carl Hester and Charlotte have shown how top level horses can go perfectly well in a snaffle, challenging the need for double bridles. Their horses were turned out, some even living out. I think between them, they’ve done a great job of challenging the norm of how dressage horses should be kept and trained and their horses flourished.
Does this make up for her actions in the video? No. Does this prove that the actions in the video were a one off? Also no. But it suggests that she has also done a lot of good work with her horses. Hopefully this week has made her question her training methods and she will change for the better. Because whether she wants to or not, people are going to be watching her closer than ever.
I have also seen a lot of negative comments aimed at the person who released the video, particularly the timing. To an extent, I agree. The time does feel planned to make the maximum impact. But equally I can understand someone being blinkered by their idol to not come forward at the time. I can understand a young girl, working for her hero, perhaps not understanding how wrong the actions in the video are. I can understand someone taking years to build the courage, perhaps being inspired by those speaking up against Helgstrand to finally speak up. The only thing that makes me pause slightly at their intentions, is the giggling you can hear on the video. I found the giggling very uncomfortable.
And now, with the Olympics here, I hope we can find a way to break out of the shadow of this week and show what equestrian is really about. Let’s stop arguing about who is wrong or right in this situation, because the answer is and should always be Charlotte is in the wrong. Her fate now lies with the FEI and instead we should turn our attention and efforts to celebrating the good in Equestrian sport.
Let’s use this Olympics to highlight and reward happy horses who love what they do. Let’s showcase the dedicated teams around them who adore the horses they work with. Let’s demonstrate the incredible bond between horse and rider and why we deserve to be in the Olympics. And if anyone shows a lack of respect, care or consideration to the horses in our sport, it is our duty to challenge that behaviour. It is how we will continue to protect our horses.
Last Updated on 26/07/2024