Should the Olympics drop dressage? One of Britain’s foremost sporting champions has been barred from competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics due to allegations of animal cruelty.
Banned for whipping horse 24 times
Should the Olympics drop dressage? One of Britain's foremost sporting champions has been barred from competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics due to allegations of animal cruelty.
For many athletes, it will be the greatest day of their lives. The top sporting stars from 206 countries will make their grand entrance by boat on the SeineFrance's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net. . Amid much pomp and ceremony, the 2024 Games will begin as the Olympic torch, a symbol of peace and unity, sets the Olympic cauldron ablaze.
But Charlotte Dujardin, a highly-decorated sportswoman in dressage - a sport where horses show off their moves in front of a panel of judges - will not be taking part in the celebrations.
Mere days before the opening ceremony, Dujardin has pulled out of the Olympics in response to a video which appears to show her striking a horse 24 times with a long whip during a training session.
Dujardin was set to be one of Britain's leading lights at the upcoming Olympic Games. She has won a multitude of equestrianRelated to horse riding. From the Latin "equus" or "horse". Olympic medals - three gold, one silver and two bronze - and was hoping to score a medal of any colour in order to become the most-decorated British female Olympian of all time.
Equestrian sports have long been controversial. They have had historically high rates of rider risk - 12 equestrian athletes died in a particularly deadly period between 2007 and 2008 - and animal cruelty allegations have repeatedly emerged in the community.
A series of strict bans have put an end to many unethical training methods over the last few decades. But experts say that the equipment that riders use on horses in equestrian sport, including nosebands, shock collars and spurs, are psychologically and physically harmful to horses.
Many say it is cruel to subject horses to rigorous training for something they will never understand or be rewarded for. But others see dressage as an important tradition - one with its origins in Ancient Greece - which should be preserved at all costs.
Should the Olympics drop dressage?
Yes: A horse cannot volunteer to take part in an Olympic sport. It will always take place against its will. We should put an end to such cruel practices.
No: There will be cruel sportspeople who mistreat their horses just like there are cruel pet owners. But they are the exception, not the rule. You cannot end an important cultural tradition over one bad apple.
Or... Most of us do not care about dressage at all. It is a preserve of the rich and wealthy which only they are interested in keeping. We should abolishEnd or stop a practice. it to make room for more equitable sports.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
Seine - France's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net.
Equestrian - Related to horse riding. From the Latin "equus" or "horse".
Abolish - End or stop a practice.
Banned for whipping horse 24 times

Glossary
Seine - France's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net.
Equestrian - Related to horse riding. From the Latin "equus" or "horse".
Abolish - End or stop a practice.