Evan Coluccio Gets USEF Suspension for Changing Horse's Identity
Virginia hunter/jumper professional Evan Coluccio must bid the rated horse show life adieu for six months. The U.S. Equestrian Federation states it suspended the EMC International Stables owner for the misrepresentati...
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Are You Ready for Horse Ownership? 3 Considerations
There are a lot of moving parts to horse ownership. If your head doesn't join forces with your heart on this decision, it could end up being your worst nightmare instead of the realization of your fondest dream. ...
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In-Utero Foal Scam Leads to Grand Theft Horse Case
A self-proclaimed animal rescuer in California is facing multiple counts of grand theft for allegedly scamming buyers of in-utero foals. Susan Guillot has a criminal record that includes embezzlement. ...
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Decoding Horse Sales Fraud
The scenario is repeated all too-often in the equine industry. A private individual or entity purchases one or more horses, only to find later the horse has some sort of veterinary or behavioral defect that was not disclose...
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Horse Trainers Martin, Connor Sued for Shady Sales Practices
Plaintiff Lynn Kassem, of Georgia, is also suing Florida horse agent and trainer Debi Connor. The suit claims ‘many’ of almost $1 million in horses purchased by Kassem, with Matt Martin’s help, came through Debi...
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LYNN KASSEM v MATT MARTIN, DEBI CONNOR aka DEBORAH CONNOR dba DEBI CONNOR SALES, et al.
Tennessee hunter/jumper trainer Matt Martin is being sued for failing to disclose health and behavior issues of sales horses he recommended. The suit accuses Martin of fraud, breach of contract and negligent misrepresenta...
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Equip Yourself for Horse Buying Success
Set yourself up for horse buying success. A common practice in the equine industry is to mask the truth of the horse’s prior history of lameness, prior injury, or medical condition with half-truths about the horse’s mor...
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Show Jumping’s Holger Hetzel Sued for $1M-plus for Fraud, Negligence
A Florida lawsuit accuses show jumping’s Holger Hetzel of fraud, civil theft, and professional negligence. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in damages and injunctive relief for the return of one of their ...
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8 Pre-Purchase Exam Tips Before Buying a Horse
The prospective buyer should ensure that the vet selected to perform the exam is free from any conflicts of interest and/or undue influence and it will be an “independent examination”. If there are affiliations, those s...
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MARION MAYER Plaintiff, vs. LAUREN SAMMIS, individually, SAMMIS SALES, LLC, et al, Defendants.
The plaintiff alleges there was a lack of transparency when she purchased a $135,000 dressage horse through Lauren Sammis and her business Sammis Sales, LLC. Also included as defendants are two equine veterinarians from...
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How to Buy a Horse and Not Get Taken for a Ride
A lawsuit filed against Heritage Farm in New York alleges the stable and co-defendants, who were working on a pony mom's behalf, withheld key info. The $325K claim is a good reminder that equine sales agents have a duty ...
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Transparency in Horse Sales
In 2006, with significant support from Jess Jackson, Kentucky passed a law making undisclosed dual agency unlawful. In 2010, Florida’s Department of Agriculture enacted regulations governing disclosure in horse sales....
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The Truth: Horse Sales and Undisclosed Commissions
In 1997, the Neal family engaged internationally known dressage trainer Sjef Janssen to sell their horse. Janssen told the Neals that he could only get $312,000 for Aristocrat, but unbeknownst to the Neals, Janssen actu...
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