Alicia Dickinson Denies Whistleblower Claims in Dujardin Horse Whipping Controversy

Alicia Dickinson, a dressage trainer, has publicly denied allegations that she is the whistleblower behind a controversial video showing Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse's legs. Dickinson, who previously had a business relationship with Dujardin, claims she has been unfairly targeted amid the fallout from the incident, which has sparked outrage in the equestrian community. She stated, “It could have been anyone but I got the backlash,” emphasizing that she did not alert authorities about the video. The video, which has led to significant repercussions for Dujardin, shows her striking a horse 24 times during a lesson. Following the release of the footage, Dujardin has faced severe consequences, including the loss of funding from UK Sport and her position as an ambassador for an equine welfare charity. The footage reportedly captures Dujardin expressing frustration about her technique, saying, “This is so s--- at hitting them hard,” which has raised further concerns about her training methods. Stephan Wensing, the Dutch lawyer who reported the video, has also denied that Dickinson is his client, further distancing her from the controversy. Investigations have confirmed that Dickinson was not the one who filmed the incident; the footage was recorded by the mother of a student seen riding in the video. As the equestrian world grapples with the implications of this incident, Dickinson continues to assert her innocence in the matter.