Olympian Charlotte Dujardin has been provisionally suspended by equestrian’s governing body after video showed her whipping a student's horse.

Dujardin has withdrawn from competing at the Paris Olympics over a video from four years ago showing her making “an error of judgement”, in her words, during a coaching session.

The three-time Olympic dressage champion, who was born in Enfield, has decided to pull out of all competitions while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigates the incident.

The FEI said it had received a video “depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare”.

The video shows Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse with a whip from the ground and the horse reacting by bucking and kicking. 

The suspension bars Dujardin from any competitions or events under the FEI’s jurisdiction and those run by by a national federation.

The FEI added: “On 22 July, the FEI received a video depicting Ms Dujardin engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare.

“This video was submitted to the FEI by a lawyer representing an undisclosed complainant.

“According to the information received, the footage was allegedly taken several years ago during a training session conducted by Ms Dujardin at a private stable.

“Upon receiving the video, the FEI promptly initiated an investigation. As part of this investigation Ms Dujardin, British Equestrian and British Dressage were informed of the allegations.

“Subsequently, Ms Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.

“On July 23, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Charlotte Dujardin said it was an 'error of judgement' after video emerges of her whipping a horse.Charlotte Dujardin said it was an 'error of judgement' after video emerges of her whipping a horse. (Image: Action Images)

After receiving a gold postbox in her honour outside Enfield Town station in 2012, a new street in Ponders End was renamed Dujardin Mews after the Olympic hero the following year.

In a statement to the PA news agency, Dujardin said: “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.

“Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place."