Grande Divina had great care the last couple of years since she was at Glenhill and Gen takes amazing care of the mares in her barn. She is one of the lucky ones!
[QUOTE=COTHalter44;6760596]
Wasn’t Grande Divina was sold nearly 2 years ago to another breeder in the area? I saw on FB recently she is now owned by the people in MO who bought a bunch of mares from JB.
TWF, thank you for clarifying re: Grand Affair’s breeding history.
Once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone who is stepping up to help by donating money, breedings or other services to help. It takes a village, but you all rock.[/QUOTE]
I had Grande Divina. I recently sold her to Rising Phoenix. There was nothing sneaky about it. I had been in contact with Joan Watt from the first day I had Divina. I sent her photos and updates. Nothing unethical at all with Grande Divina.
[QUOTE=genevieveg17;6760667]
I had Grande Divina. I recently sold her to Rising Phoenix. There was nothing sneaky about it. I had been in contact with Joan Watt from the first day I had Divina. I sent her photos and updates. Nothing unethical at all with Grande Divina.[/QUOTE]
I didn’t mean to imply that there was as I have not seen anything but good things from your program. The poster I quoted made it sound like there was something more to it.
[QUOTE=Daventry;6760571]
This is the part that is up in the air. Michelle was away for the long weekend, and had no access to her Humane Society email over the last 5 days. As you can imagine, she’s swamped today and I don’t want to bug her with any more questions. She did say she would answer them as soon as possible. I’m unfortunately not the one that can answer any of the questions, but Michelle did say this morning a court date has not been set yet. So it’s possible tomorrow is the deadline for Jill to comply with the requests of Marin Humane Society?!? Again, just speculation on my part. As soon as I hear anything, I will let everyone know.
I know Jill and her minions are reading this thread…so maybe they could just come on here and tell us! At the same time, I hope they all crawl back into the disgusting hole they came out of! I was on the phone with one of them last week and spent an excruciating hour listening to them defend Jill’s action and defend Grand Affair being in their care. Thankfully, I know when someone is blowing smoke up my ass. Unfortunately, it is an hour of my life I will never get back again! :no:
Sadly, I’ve spent most of the weekend taking calls and emails from people who have been burned. Just when you think you have heard the worst of the stories, someone else contacts you with something more horrible that the last person. I’m not the one to contact though…though I realize sometimes people just need to vent to someone who will listen. Everyone has been passed along to Marin Humane Society.
To Jill’s minions who are allegedly helping her move and hide horses right now so they can’t be seized, and giving her money to help her provide her horses with feed and other necessities at this time…that’s really gracious of you, but it’s like giving a cocaine addict money. You are only helping to feed the addiction and prolong the misery of those poor animals. If you are helping her, YOU ARE an enabler! YOU ARE part of the problem! YOU ARE an accomplice! Why not be part of the solution instead of part of the problem? Why not let the Marin Humane Society take the rest of the animals so they can all land softly in homes where they will be properly cared for and not treated like a means to an end? It’s time for Jill Burnell and Gray Fox Farm to retire from the horse industry. At the end of the day, no one is EVER going to respect her again anyways. NOT EVER! Why not just bow out now while there are tons of people willing to step up to the plate?
Honestly, the whole thing is just bloody DISGUSTING! :mad:[/QUOTE]
Well said. It has to be horrible for you to listen to all these new situations coming out of the woodwork…but then, that is what we all hoped would happen.
You’ve been the conduit with the straight scoop for all of us. There will be a special place in heaven for you for doing this, as arduous as it must be right now. :yes:
I too am concerned that while so many caring souls are spending time and money to help those burned – and especially get the horses out of there and in good hands – that somehow she’ll be able to get them back (and in better condition) and continue on.
That said, if that happens at least we will have done the best for the horses and tried to help those who were financially hurt.
Justice is sometimes not really done in the end. We’ve all seen that happen. That is my fear…some legal loophole. And this is obviously a very, very clever woman to have gotten away with this for so long.
I hope that the massive concern from this thread itself can be submitted as some sort of proof this gal is a real “dishonest broker” and animal abuser (re: neglect) – simply because so many seasoned horsemen – well known in the industry have piped up about standards of care for stallions, mares and foals.
I hope that can count for something in a judge’s eye who may not know a darned thing about horses.
[QUOTE=Daventry;6760571]
This is the part that is up in the air. Michelle was away for the long weekend, and had no access to her Humane Society email over the last 5 days. As you can imagine, she’s swamped today and I don’t want to bug her with any more questions. She did say she would answer them as soon as possible. I’m unfortunately not the one that can answer any of the questions, but Michelle did say this morning a court date has not been set yet. So it’s possible tomorrow is the deadline for Jill to comply with the requests of Marin Humane Society?!? Again, just speculation on my part. As soon as I hear anything, I will let everyone know.
I know Jill and her minions are reading this thread…so maybe they could just come on here and tell us! At the same time, I hope they all crawl back into the disgusting hole they came out of! I was on the phone with one of them last week and spent an excruciating hour listening to them defend Jill’s action and defend Grand Affair being in their care. Thankfully, I know when someone is blowing smoke up my ass. Unfortunately, it is an hour of my life I will never get back again! :no:
Sadly, I’ve spent most of the weekend taking calls and emails from people who have been burned. Just when you think you have heard the worst of the stories, someone else contacts you with something more horrible that the last person. I’m not the one to contact though…though I realize sometimes people just need to vent to someone who will listen. Everyone has been passed along to Marin Humane Society.
To Jill’s minions who are allegedly helping her move and hide horses right now so they can’t be seized, and giving her money to help her provide her horses with feed and other necessities at this time…that’s really gracious of you, but it’s like giving a cocaine addict money. You are only helping to feed the addiction and prolong the misery of those poor animals. If you are helping her, YOU ARE an enabler! YOU ARE part of the problem! YOU ARE an accomplice! Why not be part of the solution instead of part of the problem? Why not let the Marin Humane Society take the rest of the animals so they can all land softly in homes where they will be properly cared for and not treated like a means to an end? It’s time for Jill Burnell and Gray Fox Farm to retire from the horse industry. At the end of the day, no one is EVER going to respect her again anyways. NOT EVER! Why not just bow out now while there are tons of people willing to step up to the plate?
Honestly, the whole thing is just bloody DISGUSTING! :mad:[/QUOTE]
Daventry it IS DISGUSTING and those “minions” worked hard to block any news of a sinking ship a LOOOONG time ago - or attacked those questioning what the ^&** was going on…for anyone listening HARD, the unpaid bills started a very long time ago … and there were the local enablers swapping mares and doing support when the plug needed pulling a long time ago … may the horses be safe but may JB be banned from ANY horse related activity for a very long time - if that even possible.
If JB did not own GA… and if she sold her, she was basically stolen. Wouldn’t that mean that the current owner is now in possession of stolen goods?
[QUOTE=FalseImpression;6760830]
If JB did not own GA… and if she sold her, she was basically stolen. Wouldn’t that mean that the current owner is now in possession of stolen goods?[/QUOTE]
This. and in #2468 someone who seems to have owned the mare says that she retained the mares papers but was paid and gave a bill of sale. Very confusing that they would let the mare stay somewhere they thought was so horrible. Now the mare lands in a nice home and now it’s an issue. I do not agree with Daventry. I hope the horses land in good homes and I don’t care if that means someone who knows Jill. I would rather see horses go to individuals vs a rescue type with the humane society. Yes its a problem if Jill retains ownership but hopefully that will not be a problem. So if the horses are in good homes that is the point. Kudos to the stallion owners for donating to the auction and to those who have breedings they can not use. I’m sure you have made a lot of people very happy 
The problem isn’t the horses going to new homes directly from Jill per se, but rather what happens in relation to that situation. The concern is that this is a cover to hide the horses so that Jill can retain them and continue business as usual. And, that she is doing so with horses that should rightly go to others.
[QUOTE=horsenut93136;6760872]
This. and in #2468 someone who seems to have owned the mare says that she retained the mares papers but was paid and gave a bill of sale. Very confusing that they would let the mare stay somewhere they thought was so horrible. Now the mare lands in a nice home and now it’s an issue. I do not agree with Daventry. I hope the horses land in good homes and I don’t care if that means someone who knows Jill. I would rather see horses go to individuals vs a rescue type with the humane society. Yes its a problem if Jill retains ownership but hopefully that will not be a problem. So if the horses are in good homes that is the point. Kudos to the stallion owners for donating to the auction and to those who have breedings they can not use. I’m sure you have made a lot of people very happy :)[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=showjumpers66;6760880]
The problem isn’t the horses going to new homes directly from Jill per se, but rather what happens in relation to that situation. The concern is that this is a cover to hide the horses so that Jill can retain them and continue business as usual. And, that she is doing so with horses that should rightly go to others.[/QUOTE]
Understood. So I guess I amend that to if the court bans her from owning a horse I think there are plenty of people that can give the horses the best homes. I have not found (though I am not familiar with Marin) that the humane society can provide the BEST care. And then you have to worry about where they land after that. Anyway I hope they all find homes where they can thrive.
Personally, I would much rather allow a judge to hear all the matters (what a headache S/HE will have!) and rule that Jill must hand over ownership to the Marin County Humane Society so that then these horses can be adopted to homes that will care for them for the rest of their lives. There is no point MCHS confiscating horses and spending the gobs of money it would take to do this, unless they have the LEGAL authority to do so. To do that, it’s my understanding they need a judge to sign off on an order! The only way to ensure things are done right and permanently is to let the legal process already started by the MCHS do its thing. Once a judge signs off and applies a court order, Jill Burnell and all her ensigns related to Gray Fox Farm can do nothing to block it.
Let’s just sit tight and wait for the first hearing to finish. From there, we will know whether the deck is stacked in MCHS’ favor or not. This hearing coming up is step 1 of many, many steps to take. It will be a long and complicated process. So, hang onto your hats…
[QUOTE=genevieveg17;6760667]
I had Grande Divina. I recently sold her to Rising Phoenix. There was nothing sneaky about it. I had been in contact with Joan Watt from the first day I had Divina. I sent her photos and updates. Nothing unethical at all with Grande Divina.[/QUOTE]
Divina’s sale was legit. Divina was my daughter’s only horse. She birthed her and they grew up together…selling her was not easy for me. It was gut wrenching…as things unfolded.
Gen was so kind to Divina and to Grand Affair both. I thank you for being bigger than the challenges.
Joan Watt
[QUOTE=horsenut93136;6760872]
This. and in #2468 someone who seems to have owned the mare says that she retained the mares papers but was paid and gave a bill of sale. Very confusing that they would let the mare stay somewhere they thought was so horrible. Now the mare lands in a nice home and now it’s an issue. I do not agree with Daventry. I hope the horses land in good homes and I don’t care if that means someone who knows Jill. I would rather see horses go to individuals vs a rescue type with the humane society. Yes its a problem if Jill retains ownership but hopefully that will not be a problem. So if the horses are in good homes that is the point. Kudos to the stallion owners for donating to the auction and to those who have breedings they can not use. I’m sure you have made a lot of people very happy :)[/QUOTE]
Reading comprehension 101
NOT PAID. NO BILL OF SALE.
Seriously Horsenut Greenie…what a bunch of hoooooey!!
Don’t you think the REAL OWNER should get her mare back???
Jill Johnson MADE Grande Affair
- Loved and cared for her since she was 3 months old.
- Has been trying to re-gain her mare since before this situation became public.
Grand Affair needs to land back in PA …where she can "Rest on her Well Earned Laurels " … with the family who has owned and always loved her.
[QUOTE=JWB;6753223]
First of all - I think trying to sell a broodmare that is not breeding sound is unethical on many levels, however horses are sold without papers all the time.
I have papers sitting in my safety deposit box that I chose to retain for personal reasons, but the horse was sold without them. I do not claim to own the horse. I received a check and signed a bill of sale. Possession of a registration certificate doesn’t prove anything.
For the mare’s sake however, I hope she is allowed her well earned retirement.[/QUOTE]
TWF This is what I am referring to, I’m sorry you find it necessary to attack someone who is trying to clarify a confusing situation. I don’t know you and don’t know if the mare should be east or not. Just seems odd that after 4? years nothing was done until now. And again if the mare has a good home (I think the pictures I have seen of her show that) why bash now? Anyway I guess that is for a court to decide. But no need to scream that no one can read, seems the problem lies in presentation.
[QUOTE=horsenut93136;6761239]
TWF This is what I am referring to, I’m sorry you find it necessary to attack someone who is trying to clarify a confusing situation. I don’t know you and don’t know if the mare should be east or not. Just seems odd that after 4? years nothing was done until now. And again if the mare has a good home (I think the pictures I have seen of her show that) why bash now? Anyway I guess that is for a court to decide. But no need to scream that no one can read, seems the problem lies in presentation.[/QUOTE]
How could you call a home that clearly knows the mare is not rightfully owned a “GOOD” home?
Same women has pictures of the mare and foal standing in feces looking terrible and is gloating about the foal in them good home ?
I’m sorry but I don’t care who or what horse or what I paid for it the second I became aware of this situation I’d have been on the phone with Jill and Joan and trying to do what I could to either get their horse back or to make things right for both parties. NOT continuing to support JB by hiding mares. She has already posted to facebook looking for stallions …for a mare that she knows should not be bred and never should have been bred. If I were her I’d be horrified , the mare would be on a trailer back to PA and I’d have a hell of a Lawyer and have the cops beating on JB’s trailer door for selling stolen property.
[QUOTE=horsenut93136;6761239]
TWF This is what I am referring to, I’m sorry you find it necessary to attack someone who is trying to clarify a confusing situation. I don’t know you and don’t know if the mare should be east or not. Just seems odd that after 4? years nothing was done until now. And again if the mare has a good home (I think the pictures I have seen of her show that) why bash now? Anyway I guess that is for a court to decide. But no need to scream that no one can read, seems the problem lies in presentation.[/QUOTE]
Suspended Reality - Troll bait taken - Hook line and sinker -
You’ll need to read back a few years for that answer. . . At least my name is posted here…who are you Greenie?
FYI - Post #2469 was the post by the owner.
Of course this is going to be someone’s argument if they have Grand Affair in their possession. Not that the other mares are all shabby…but Grand Affair is certainly a special one.
I do understand your distress about the fate of your mare, but I am confused about a point. If you wanted Divina to go to a forever home, why was she in a public auction? Even selling privately, it is impossible to expect buyers to keep horses forever when they can live 30 plus years. Life changes for people. There are deaths, injuries, illnesses, divorces, drought and other natural disasters, financial pitfalls, etc. that can adversely affect the future of horses. If you want a horse to have a guaranteed forever home, you need to plan to keep it forever yourself.
I think it is amazing that Grand Affair had so much success on the line and that she has produced several offspring to follow in her path, but it doesn’t make her any more important than any of the other horses in that situation other than to the ones that loved her. There are others in the situation that should not have ever been bred due to debilitating injuries that keep them from being sound. There was a reason why Jill got many of these mares for little to no money. I do hope Jill Johnson and the others who have a beloved mare in this situation are able to see them safely back to where they belong.
[QUOTE=TWF;6761155]
Divina was sold outright through a public auction after JB backed out of a sale. GFF was to be a forever home for her. Divina was my daughter’s only horse. She birthed her and they grew up together…selling her was not easy for me. It was gut wrenching…as things unfolded. Tough to realize just where my girls eventually landed.
Gen was so kind to Divina and to Grand Affair both. I thank you for being bigger than the challenges.
Joan Watt[/QUOTE]
The sale of Grande Divina was legit. I am grateful to you Gen & sorry that anyone thought the sale of Divina was a problem. You were a saint for going above and beyond for both Grande Divina and Grand Affair.
[QUOTE=showjumpers66;6761471]
I do understand your distress about the fate of your mare, but I am confused about a point. If you wanted Divina to go to a forever home, why was she in a public auction? Even selling privately, it is impossible to expect buyers to keep horses forever when they can live 30 plus years. Life changes for people. There are deaths, injuries, illnesses, divorces, drought and other natural disasters, financial pitfalls, etc. that can adversely affect the future of horses. If you want a horse to have a guaranteed forever home, you need to plan to keep it forever yourself.
I think it is amazing that Grand Affair had so much success on the line and that she has produced several offspring to follow in her path, but it doesn’t make her any more important than any of the other horses in that situation other than to the ones that loved her. There are others in the situation that should not have ever been bred due to debilitating injuries that keep them from being sound. There was a reason why Jill got many of these mares for little to no money. I do hope Jill Johnson and the others who have a beloved mare in this situation are able to see them safely back to where they belong.[/QUOTE]
This to me is something everyone should remember… All of the mares are nice mares that deserve better than they’ve gotten. And this is the very reason that come hell or high water my Mumsy will always be owned by me. If it came down to public auction or putting her down to guarantee her not ending up out of my control, guess which I’d choose. And if anything ever happens that she shouldn’t be bred as it would put her life at risk, she would be spayed.
I’m hoping the mares get back to the previous owners that want them back, but harbor no bad thoughts toward those owners that don’t want them or can’t take them back. They did all go to Jill for a reason, hopefully they end up in better circumstances soon.
And I’d like to give kudos to the people that are busting their asses to make this nightmare come to an end for the horses and people affected. ( Those in the public eye, and those that prefer to keep their efforts and contributions out of the public eye… Remember that not everyone wants their involvement out there for scrutiny or praise.)
