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Credit Card was killed after he and four other rodeo horses were stolen in November. Photo provided by SAU
by RMHP Staff
As 2012 approaches it is time take a look back at this year's top ten news stories as chosen by you. The stories evoked emotion regarding top show horses, the pain of loss, and seeking justice for these amazing creatures.
Oregon horse breeder Shaunda Voyles is no stranger to crime. She is a convicted felon and now charged with 18 counts of animals neglect and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
There can be a variety of ways a legitimate equine rescue accomplishes its mission. Rather than insist equine rescues conform to your personal ideal, find one whose mission statement reflects your values, preferences and what to look for before you donate.
The horse world went into mourning after the sensational Show Jumping stallion Hickstead collapsed and died in Verona just moments after completing the fourth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup. Preliminary post mortem findings showed the Olympic gold medal horse died of an aortic rupture.
Eric Lamaze and Hickstead in 2008. Photo: FEI / KIT Houghton
Snowman is the story of a plain grey gelding that had been used as a work horse and was the victim of neglect. He was broken down with sores from his harness. He was sold to a killer buyer at auction but saved by Dutch immigrant Harry de Leyer. The pair became an unlikely success and Snowman was a National Show Jumping Champion.
The Eighty-Dollar Champion: Snowman by Elizabeth Letts was released in August.
Snowman was the American Horse Shows Association Horse of the Year in 1958.
Video released in May by Denmark based EPONAtv called into question the practices of USA reining competitor Craig Schmersal and The Fédération Equestre Internationale. It caused an international stir and caused the FEI to open an investigation into the training practices at the World Reining Final in Sweden.
Verbal warnings were issued in Sweden at the May reining event for a number of violations including running a horse into the wall, overly aggressive use of the hands, overly aggressive use of spurs and attempting to train post-competition.
In August, the FEI concluded, "due to the lack of authenticated evidence such as original unedited video footage, no further action can be taken against any individuals." Rate My Horse PRO requested the names of those who received verbal warnings from officials, once the investigation was complete, however the FEI never responded to the requests.
Massachusetts horse trader Joseph 'Spud' Noone III was arraigned on a charge of larceny by false pretense in September. Noone is the man at the center of a horse giveaway gone awry. The victim was a Thoroughbred gelding named Munition whose fate is unknown.
Munition the summer before his story turned tragic. photo ©CB Photography
Tropical Storm Irene struck Schoharie County, New York in late September and reports flooded the media stating 22 of Leland Neff’s 26 horses were "swept away." The horse breeder stated he was exploited by those trying to help him although he knew information he wasn't sharing with the public.
In September, Rate My Horse PRO reported California dressage trainer and former Olympian Gwen Stockebrand was being investigated by Sonoma County Animal Control and Care. She has since been charged with one felony count of animal cruelty. She will be arraigned tomorrow.
Five rodeo horses were stolen from Arkansas college students in November. The case centers around a main suspect who was arrested earlier this month, Jaci Rae Jackson. False allegations of attempted rape are among some of the details revealed from court documents in the disturbing case that left a horse named Credit Card dead.
Jaci Rae Jackson
She wanted the horse killed and watched as Credit Card was shot in the head and his throat slit. The gruesome details have many shocked and asking for answers just a month after the horse was found dead.
To view criminal and civil cases and documents visit Equine Court. Rate My Horse PRO will continue to bring you news coverage and will follow active legal cases in 2012.
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