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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Is it true about Charlotte Dujardin withdrawing from the Olympics?

1000 replies

Freakwave897 · 23/07/2024 16:21

Or is it fake news?

It’s so disappointing if true…

I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe what I am hearing.

OP posts:
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29
Toastandmarmaladeisdelish · 26/07/2024 08:55

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I thought the same ..

Toastandmarmaladeisdelish · 26/07/2024 08:55

Standupcitizen · 26/07/2024 08:37

I think it's quite clear British Dressage will be sweeping this very firmly under the rug.

Agree

Astonmaid · 26/07/2024 08:58

Bing123 · 25/07/2024 23:01

It wasn't just this video - there's another one of CD competing with a horse who's tongue has turned blue due to lack of oxygen. Seems that for a long time traditional horse (and dog) training methods seemed to involve pain if the animal wasn't compliant.

Interestingly the Queen's main horse trainer for a very long time for her young race horses (Monty Roberts) and her main working dog trainer both use training methods that don't involve physical pain. I know dogs don't get whipped but plenty of dog trainers use/d choke chains. Also, Prince Phillip with his carriage competitions was known for carrot rather than stick with his horses when introducing them to new obstacles.

The Carl Hester aspect is interesting, he trained with CD, he owns her yard - he appears on social media to have put his horses welfare first....As a PP said, it could well be the tip of the iceberg.

Edited

Monty was never the Queen's 'main horse trainer', and his methods often involve pain. Here's his advert for his 'buckstopper' (gumline). https://montyroberts.com/montys-buck-stopper/
His Dually halter can often be seen in videos from him and his associates fitted low enough to be putting pressure on the sensitve cartilage in the nose.
You can read the true story of Monty in the book Horse Whispers and Lies that was published by his family. A lot of verifiable facts in there.

What we see in that video is awful, and anyone who has been around horses for a while knows that it isn't uncommon. Not just in the dressage world. Go to any local show and see children in the warm up being told to 'give him a smack' if their pony - currently having their teeth pulled out with an iron grip - is slow going forward. How many times do you see the child being introduced to their first pony, with a lovely gift pack that includes a sparkly whip?

Monty's Buck Stopper

To order Monty's Buck Stopper Kit, please call Monty's office: +1-805-688-6288 or email: [email protected]. This kit cannot be purchased online. If you cannot see this video you will need QuickTime player installed - click here for QuickTime

https://montyroberts.com/montys-buck-stopper

oakleaffy · 26/07/2024 09:13

Standupcitizen · 26/07/2024 08:37

I think it's quite clear British Dressage will be sweeping this very firmly under the rug.

''What whipping? CDJ was merely trying to remove a troublesome horse fly from the horse's hind legs''. {Sarcasm}

Floppy12 · 26/07/2024 09:18

I really wish they would withdraw the GB team from the dressage in the Olympics.
What possible pride and pleasure can there be if GB win any medals with the undercurrent of possible widespread horse abuse.

The signed letter yesterday was not enough, whilst it stated they did not condone the abusive practices in the video they never actually stated categorically they had/have never resorted to the same practices.

The statement from Jason Brautigam BD CEO is woeful. He is undermining any credibility the British Dressage had left.I notice he is responsible for the monetary side of things with the BD.

Where is the care for the horses which is central to this whole mess, where are the pledges, what new guidelines are they working on to ensure the safety of these horses.Give us some hope that things will change, admittedly new measures take time but inform us.

I think a lot of us can see what the "whistleblower " was up against.
Accusations flying around the Dutch team are behind the leak, it,s frankly incredible the implication is even being spouted instead of the BD owning the fact their care towards horses is not what it should be.

I want to hear how they are going to move forward and lets hear how they are going to protect the horses.

Toastandmarmaladeisdelish · 26/07/2024 09:19

Floppy12 · 26/07/2024 09:18

I really wish they would withdraw the GB team from the dressage in the Olympics.
What possible pride and pleasure can there be if GB win any medals with the undercurrent of possible widespread horse abuse.

The signed letter yesterday was not enough, whilst it stated they did not condone the abusive practices in the video they never actually stated categorically they had/have never resorted to the same practices.

The statement from Jason Brautigam BD CEO is woeful. He is undermining any credibility the British Dressage had left.I notice he is responsible for the monetary side of things with the BD.

Where is the care for the horses which is central to this whole mess, where are the pledges, what new guidelines are they working on to ensure the safety of these horses.Give us some hope that things will change, admittedly new measures take time but inform us.

I think a lot of us can see what the "whistleblower " was up against.
Accusations flying around the Dutch team are behind the leak, it,s frankly incredible the implication is even being spouted instead of the BD owning the fact their care towards horses is not what it should be.

I want to hear how they are going to move forward and lets hear how they are going to protect the horses.

Totally agree

Toastandmarmaladeisdelish · 26/07/2024 09:20

I hope they're reading these threads too

DizzyBumble · 26/07/2024 09:29

I don't think withdrawing the British Team will help though, I don't think any other team is innocent either

godmum56 · 26/07/2024 09:29

PandaCubCurriculum · 26/07/2024 08:35

I do think with these public 'take downs' that we see so much of now (like Philip Schofield, Kevin Spacey etc.) - you do have to bear in mind that there is a human being behind the scandal.

I don't think anyone condones what CJD has done (she admits her wrongdoing). I hate this current fashion of the public pile on though.

Whatever she has done, she has gone from being a 'darling' in the eyes of the British public to an absolute pariah within hours. To the extent that her personal safety is probably at risk. This must have a massively traumatic and detrimental impact - not just to her but to her family. I often think there must be suicide risk in cases like this.

I hate the way she treated this horse but I also hate the way that social media has become so venomous and toxic - with the ability to completely destroy people at whim and so viciously. It is like a public execution.

in this case its not on a whim, the dressage horse abuse scandal has been boiling for years, and none of it would have happened if she hadn't abused the horse and been filmed. Where its done on little or no evidence, I completely agree with you....that its a terrible thing for her child to have to live with....agree....but nobody did this to her. She is the author of her own downfall. She lived in the public eye, made her money in the public eye and is now reaping the consequences.

bluewanda · 26/07/2024 09:43

About 12 seconds into the video it sounds like she says, “this is so shit at hitting them hard” as she lashes the horse. Hideous.

OneReformedCharacter · 26/07/2024 09:48

Personally I think all top level dressage and equestrian events are problematic - I wouldn’t be upset if equestrianism is removed from the Olympics. From CDJ to the blue tongues and frothy mouths, persistence of rolkur, the photos already coming out of warm up arenas showing unhappy horses, event riders like Oli Townend (who I know isn’t competing) but whose heavy handed callous disregard for his horses is ignored because he wins - and now this story about the rider found to be rapping his jumpers. If the pressure of being at the top leads to this widespread abuse then there’s an easy way to solve it. Remove it from this world stage entirely.

oakleaffy · 26/07/2024 09:49

bluewanda · 26/07/2024 09:43

About 12 seconds into the video it sounds like she says, “this is so shit at hitting them hard” as she lashes the horse. Hideous.

That is what is allegedly said ~{These whips} are so shit at hitting them hard.

BodenCardiganNot · 26/07/2024 09:49

British Dressage is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
BD's email address is [email protected].
I am going to email them now.

OneReformedCharacter · 26/07/2024 09:49

That is what she says

Floppy12 · 26/07/2024 09:59

@DizzyBumble I am sure there is abuse in other teams.

However we all know change is slow to happen so if we never make a stand how will things get better.
If no-one is brave enough to put the horses welfare above money and medals then the cycle of abuse will continue.There needs to be repercussions.

Some one has to put their head above the parapet, GB needs to use the abuse scandal to make serious committed changes to horses welfare.For them to do that sacrifices have to be made, otherwise we end up with a "signed letter" like yesterday,s, which was pitiful.
One way of doing that is to make a very big stand, an action which will not go unnoticed.
We cannot be responsible or worry what other teams are doing for now, GB needs to lead by example. Hopefully then other people from different countries will speak out.
The whistleblower was very brave and the BD needs to change its mindset and see it as a positive for horses welfare instead of releasing petulant meaningless statements.
Horses safety and well being must come first.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/07/2024 09:59

PandaCubCurriculum · Today 08:35
I do think with these public 'take downs' that we see so much of now (like Philip Schofield, Kevin Spacey etc.) - you do have to bear in mind that there is a human being behind the scandal.
**
I don't think anyone condones what CJD has done (she admits her wrongdoing). I hate this current fashion of the public pile on though.
**
Whatever she has done, she has gone from being a 'darling' in the eyes of the British public to an absolute pariah within hours. To the extent that her personal safety is probably at risk. This must have a massively traumatic and detrimental impact - not just to her but to her family. I often think there must be suicide risk in cases like this.
**
I hate the way she treated this horse but I also hate the way that social media has become so venomous and toxic - with the ability to completely destroy people at whim and so viciously. It is like a public execution

She grudgingly admitted her wrongdoing with a nonsense about a “lapse of judgement”. That video shows someone employing their regular training method.

Yes, she is now a pariah. Rightly so and she brought it entirely upon herself. No-one is destroying her “on a whim”. Had she not behaved so cruelly, this would not be happening.

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 10:05

Toastandmarmaladeisdelish · 26/07/2024 08:55

I thought the same ..

Don't be ridiculous.

This is why joining in with mobs on the internet is always a bad thing - making up scenarios in your head and accusing people when you know fuck all about anything.

Read Jon Ronsons book "so you've been publicly shamed" for a really intelligent insight into how people get so caught up in things on the internet they say awful things to innocent people.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/07/2024 10:09

Wendycoping
Read Jon Ronsons book "so you've been publicly shamed" for a really intelligent insight into how people get so caught up in things on the internet they say awful things to innocent people“

Sounds interesting. Enjoy his podcasts. Doesn’t apply in this case though. CdJ is not innocent.

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 10:13

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/07/2024 10:09

Wendycoping
Read Jon Ronsons book "so you've been publicly shamed" for a really intelligent insight into how people get so caught up in things on the internet they say awful things to innocent people“

Sounds interesting. Enjoy his podcasts. Doesn’t apply in this case though. CdJ is not innocent.

But I am!

Also she is not innocent, I totally agree, but the vitriol is off the scale. She's lost absolutely everything - rightly - but that won't be enough for people.

SweetAda · 26/07/2024 10:15

@bluewanda

CDJ wishing she could hit that horse harder* *is pretty revealing about who she is as a person.

She is someone who uses her social status, reputation and influence to casually intimidate, humiliate and coerce.

She abuses her position of power over the horse, its rider and perhaps the rider's family.

She is someone who has whipped horses before but with utensils that are not as shit at hitting them hard.

She is used to not being challenged due to her position of authority and influence in the equestrian world and being revered in her local community.

She shows zero empathy for the horse or rider, just seems to enjoy her dominance over her victims of abuse, the horse and its rider.

She speaks like someone who believe she's untouchable. She is surrounded by powerful people and sycophants, minimising the chance for anyone to call out her toxic behaviour.

Here is an interesting article about power abuse
https://www.business.com/articles/psychology-of-power-abuse/

Good idea to bear in mind that not taking action to stop abuse is a form of abuse itself. This is relevant in all settings not just in the equestrian world. Pay particular attention to individuals who seem to be revered and a culture of DAVO 'deny, attack and reverse victim & offender'.

In this case, they can't deny due to the video evidence but they are downplaying what she did. According to some on this thread 'all riders abuse horses, especially overweight, middle aged women mothers who should get back in the kitchen to cook healthy meals to lose weight rather than discussing how shocked and angry they are online.

People are so strange.

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 10:16

SweetAda · 26/07/2024 10:15

@bluewanda

CDJ wishing she could hit that horse harder* *is pretty revealing about who she is as a person.

She is someone who uses her social status, reputation and influence to casually intimidate, humiliate and coerce.

She abuses her position of power over the horse, its rider and perhaps the rider's family.

She is someone who has whipped horses before but with utensils that are not as shit at hitting them hard.

She is used to not being challenged due to her position of authority and influence in the equestrian world and being revered in her local community.

She shows zero empathy for the horse or rider, just seems to enjoy her dominance over her victims of abuse, the horse and its rider.

She speaks like someone who believe she's untouchable. She is surrounded by powerful people and sycophants, minimising the chance for anyone to call out her toxic behaviour.

Here is an interesting article about power abuse
https://www.business.com/articles/psychology-of-power-abuse/

Good idea to bear in mind that not taking action to stop abuse is a form of abuse itself. This is relevant in all settings not just in the equestrian world. Pay particular attention to individuals who seem to be revered and a culture of DAVO 'deny, attack and reverse victim & offender'.

In this case, they can't deny due to the video evidence but they are downplaying what she did. According to some on this thread 'all riders abuse horses, especially overweight, middle aged women mothers who should get back in the kitchen to cook healthy meals to lose weight rather than discussing how shocked and angry they are online.

People are so strange.

What action are you taking? Genuinely interested?

Standupcitizen · 26/07/2024 10:18

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Standupcitizen · 26/07/2024 10:20

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 07:41

what good will it do to give your horse a cuddle and a treat instead of joining the voices calling for better horse welfare standards in the industry?

Why does it have to be one or the other? Perhaps both are possible. Certainly my horse would prefer the first option, as he knows he's already the best looked after horse in the world.

Edited

As you've demanded from someone else, what action are you taking to call out horse cruelty then? Apart from cuddling your horse.

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 10:20

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What? Are you talking to me?

And to stoop to your level, no, I have never hit any of my horses with a whip 24 times in a minute.

And if you really think about it, its a bit odd that you would assume that I have.

Standupcitizen · 26/07/2024 10:21

Wendycoping · 26/07/2024 10:20

What? Are you talking to me?

And to stoop to your level, no, I have never hit any of my horses with a whip 24 times in a minute.

And if you really think about it, its a bit odd that you would assume that I have.

Then why are you so keen that we think about CD being a mum instead of what she did in a work capacity?

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