The following statement was released by the IDRC on July 24 following the release of a video showing Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse with a lunge whip:
The Board Members of the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) universally condemn the actions of Charlotte Dujardin as seen in the video footage which was made public this morning [July 24] by Stephan Wensing from European Equine Lawyers on behalf of his client.
The Board members are resolute that equine welfare must always be placed uppermost and at all times. They promote only ethical training methods and practices and strive to encourage all their members to abide by the ‘International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse’ together with all FEI regulations which support and protect equine welfare standards both in and out of competition.
The IDRC Board supports the actions taken by the FEI, the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage to provisionally suspend Ms Dujardin. It notes that Ms Dujardin has stated she has no excuse for her actions and has also expressed her shame and regret. Due to the live and on-going investigations the Board will not make any further official announcements on this matter until the investigations are concluded.
Undersigned by the IDRC Board Members;
Isabell Werth, GER, President
Kyra Kyrklund, FIN,Vice President
Michael Klimke, GER, Treasurer
Klaus Roeser, GER, Secretary General
Carl Hester, GBR
Beatriz Ferrer Salat, ESP
Yvonne Losos, DOM
Hans Peter Minderhout, NED
Victoria Max-Theurer, AUT
Catherine Haddad, USA