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Chamber and committees

Condemning the Charlotte Dujardin Horse Whipping Incident

  • Submitted by: Christine Grahame, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 05 August 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-13953

That the Parliament strongly condemns the reported actions of Team GB equestrian and Olympic gold medallist, Charlotte Dujardin, who is seen to repeatedly strike a horse with a whip during a coaching session in a widely circulated video online; believes that this is irrefutable evidence of animal abuse, and urges the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) to urgently investigate the incident; is concerned that what it sees as this disturbing behaviour, displayed by a renowned Olympic rider towards a clearly distressed horse, may be an indicator of a wider problem of animal abuse in equestrian sport; understands that, whilst Dujardin has admitted to and apologised for her behaviour, this was only after the footage was released, and emphasises its belief that there is never any excuse for mistreating animals.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Kenneth Gibson, Rona Mackay, John Mason, Audrey Nicoll, Mark Ruskell, Tess White