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Dec. 5 (UPI) -- British equestrian Charlotte Dujardin received a one-year ban and $12,000 fine after officials investigated her for excessively whipping a horse, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports announced Thursday. "I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation forEquestrian Sports, released today," Dujardin wrote Thursday on Instagram.
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Dujardin received a provisional six-moth suspension in July after the emergence of a video, which showed her interaction with the animal. The three-time Olympic gold medalist then withdrew from the 2024 Summer Games and said she was "deeply ashamed" and "sincerely sorry for" her actions.
The time Dujardin served under the initial ban will be credited toward her one-year suspension. She is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the International Federation for Equestrian Sports or held by other national federations. She also was suspended by British Equestrian and British Dressage.
Dujardin confirmed to officials that she was the person shown in the video, which they received in July. She fully cooperated throughout the investigation.
"It is regrettable that this case has put our sport in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially during a critical time leading up to the Olympic Games," International Federation for Equestrian Sports secretary general Sabrina Ibanez said in a news release.
"Yet, despite the challenges, the FEI acted decisively by immediately opening an investigation and imposing a provisional suspension.
"These significant sanctions send a clear message that anyone, regardless of their profile, who engages in conduct that compromises the welfare of the horse will face serious consequences. We believe this outcome reaffirms the FEI's commitment to equine welfare and to its role as guardian of our equine partners."
Dujardin, 39, won gold in team dressage and individual dressage at London 2012. She won another gold in individual dressage at Rio 2016, where she also picked up a sliver medal in team dressage.
She won bronze in both disciplines at Tokyo 2020. Dujardin also announced Thursday that she is pregnant, with her baby due in February.
"As the federation has recognized, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologize again," Dujardin said. "I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.
"This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time."
