Is it true about Charlotte Dujardin withdrawing from the Olympics?

[Freakwave897]

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.

But the fact still stands - you weren't in this specific situation at this specific time, were you?

The only reason why we are all here on this thread is because someone HAS spoken up!

The only way horse welfare can improve is if people speak out.

The sooner the better.

Charlotte is to blame.

AND (NB and not or) we all have a collective responsibility to call out cruelty where we see it.

I don't know where it was filmed. Alicia Dickinson has stated that she was neither the whistle blower nor the rider but that she was present at the time.

She has also, in the last day or so, said that she ended all business relationships with CD after this particular lesson. Whether that is true or not I have no idea.

It may be that Dickinson is connected in some way with both the rider and the whistle blower who, according to the Dutch lawyer, had also received lessons from CD.

What @Floppy12 said above seems to be very likely indeed.

Although there do seem to be conflicting reports in different media. It would seem that the whistle blower was either the mother of the rider, who herself had had lessons from CD in the past and then arranged for lessons for her daughter, or it was another former student of CD.

No I wasn’t with CD on this dreadful day.

I am certain how I’d respond, categorically certain. Trained for it in both my professional career and a voluntary capacity.

The only reason why we are all here on this thread is because someone HAS spoken up

Yep, I'm well aware of that. Yet that person is still being slandered across social media for not speaking up "properly" at the time. Do you really not see the connection between all this criticism and people's reluctance for not speaking up about these things?

Actually I wasn't (at this end of the thread anyway) asking about the timing.

I mentioned the laughing witnesses because I was trying to establish the facts of where and when it happened and in whose presence, in response to a Daily Fail link posted below.

One of my pp's lists why a young person might speak out later. At first I thought the reasons for the delay was for competitive reasons, given the timing of the Olympics, but I don't think that is necessarily the case now.

I wasn't just referring to you, but all the comments on here (and across social media in general) criticising the witness(es).

I have certainly never slandered the person who spoke out.

I have also said that everyone on here who witnesses cruelty to a horse should try and speak out.

That’s a very different thing to victim blaming.

And I have said countless times on this thread that CJD is to blame (please count them. It must be approaching twenty five times.)

Oh sorry sunsetsandboardwalks

I had to change devices quickly and missed this post of yours^

Understood. Apologies.

I’m turning in. (Horse friendly hours 😀.)

Despite the back and forths, I think we are all on the same side, that is, putting the welfare of the horse first and foremost whatever equine activity we do.

If someone wouldn’t mind posting again where we write to, to speak up for high welfare standards in dressage, and in the eventing, I’d be really grateful, as I can’t scroll back on this old screen. And hopefully lots of posters on this thread will send an e-mail to the relevant body this weekend. Thank you.

And yes HornungTheHelpful

missed your post too; totally agree with your point about monetarisation of horse sports and sponsorship which introduces a completely different commercial pressure , often in opposition to horse welfare.

I don’t know how you reconcile amateur v professional either

Good for you, but most people haven’t

I’ve found the post:

BodenCardiganNot · Today 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.

It would be great if everyone who commented on this thread could also follow suit. Our words are meaningless if they are not presented to the powers that be. A quick email will mean all the difference, it could really help move the dial.

I’d suggest writing to the Secretary of State for culture, media and sport or at least copying them in to the BD email.

[email protected]

@AnnieSnap , what’s your problem exactly? I responded to people telling me I was merely a keyboard warrior, I am categorically not merely a keyboard warrior.

Thanks @GradGirl , that’s a good idea.

Thank you, good idea. FEI too

What are you asking for in the emails? It would be interesting to see one

@Collexifon
That’s a good question.

I mean, CdJ has lost everything, nothing else anyone can do.

I wouldn't want to ban dressage completely or horse sports so just wondered what you were asking for in the emails?

She is still a rich woman. If she is suspended and not banned, she could be back in competition. She can still keep animals, still give coaching if anyone would go. I don't call that losing everything.

So is that what you are asking for in the emails? Something to stop that? Aren't the FEI looking into it?

The more I read about elite dressage the more I think it should just disappear as a sport. The same could be said for horse racing and show jumping too of course. The abuse of horses seems to be widespread and there are very few sanctions imposed.
Always the case when bodies are self regulated- look at BD querying the timing of the release of the video.

Good question!
What does everyone think?

This is a bit waffly… Please feel free to edit!

Suggest we keep emails succinct …

“Subject: Preventing cruelty in dressage and all equine sports

Something along the lines of:

Dear (need to look up how to address Cabinet Minister)

Congratulation on your Cabinet appointment (maybe)

As a horse rider/owner/lover/fan of equine sport

(choose one or something similar)

and following the recent allegations against CJD, I would like to ask you please to bring as much influence as possible to this issue in your role as Minister for Culture and Sport.

It is important that abusive training methods in dressage be investigated and banned, along with any tack that causes pain, and that judges award points for fluent balanced movement and eliminate any incidences of painful tack or unnatural head carriage.

Imho, a full review of the sport of dressage should be carried out, at every level, up to the highest governing bodies to ensure that horse welfare is placed at the centre of this sport.

With thanks for your help,

Sign off “

Something like that?

Or do we need to be more specific with bullet point list?

It is important that abusive training methods in dressage be investigated and banned

They already are. Rolkur is already banned by the FEI. Horse welfare standards are high in the UK. There is a blood rule in all equestrian sports. CjD is currently banned from competing.