Kelsey Lefever of PA charged with 3 felonies

[Faverot]

Fairweather:

The email I posted (above) was first posted…en toto (names, addresses & all)…as a public comment…to/on The Paulick Report story entitled “Protect Your Horses: You Are All They Have,”…

by someone named…

…Phoebe Hayes (see for yourself)(were you the author of the comment?)!

I have no control over & was not privy to the decision to post the email as part of the public comment on The Paulick Report.

The/your comment is now part of the public-Internet record.

For my part, I am grateful you (or “Phoebe Hayes”) wrote & posted that email.

Ms. Michelson needs to address these questions about her & her role in this horrific matter.

[Faverot]

“dilligaff2”:

See my response (above) to Fairweather.

I categorically…reject your admonition.

I suggest you take up your “concern” with Phoebe Hayes & The Paulick Report (which, presumably, has editorial policies & checks in place & notwithstanding such editorial policies & checks, The Paulick Report published Phoebe Hayes’s comment with the embedded email from Sue Smith (Fairweather?).

[raineydupris]

Dont forget, the girl who had the horse Cedit Card and three other horses stolen from the Oklahoma college riding program, then had people kill Credit Card, while she watched… She is supposed to go to trial today, but heard it may be postponed till March.

[Faverot]

Fairweather:

Phoebe Hayes was one of the individuals listed in the address pane of the email…& apparently she exercised her prerogative to post the email…

…as she received it (without change).

I did acquiesce (just now) to your request to remove the other names in the address pane.

However, all names & addresses are there to see…for everyone…in the comment made by Phoebe Hayes.

I suggest you consult with Ms. Hayes if you have concerns.

[dilligaff2]

@Faverot;6092177

“dilligaff2”:

See my response (above) to Fairweather.

I categorically…reject your admonition.

And I catagorically reserve the right to call them like I see them.

Right now I see a pompus muck raker hiding behind an alter.

[FairWeather]

I don’t want to detract from the thread–but thank you for removing the names.
(I’m allie, not Sue)

[AlexS]

[QUOTE=Faverot;6092058]

I have tried calling Michelson at the farm she apparently owns, M & M Equestrian, but no one picks up.

Michelson, in addition to the M & Equestrian Web site, has a Facebook page & she lists as a “Friend”…

…Brandamore Belgians Farm, which is the “business” name of LeFever’s murderous enterprise.

Btw: The Facebook page for Brandamore Belgians Farm list only one “Friend”: Melissa Michelson.

I am hoping that we can get the media & press to confront Michelson & reveal what her role was in Lefever’s horse-for-butcher business.[/QUOTE]

That’s just silly, why do you think she owes you personally an explanation?

As far as her liking Brandamore Belgians, I don’t know why it showed up as her being the only person on that page. But anyone who is/was friends with Kelsey are going to be her FB friend or like her pages.

I am not saying that she isn’t involved in this whole thing - but that the example you are giving as proof is just asinine.

[Faverot]

AlexS:

Ms. Michelsn can address, resolve, & clear up any & all questions relating to this barbaric business of LeFever.

In fact, I have contacted several journalists, including The Paulick Report, & encouraged them (& provided them with her Web site URL & contact information listed on her Web site) to contact Melissa Michelson to address these concerns & questions about her involvement in the LeFever horse-for-butcher business.

I make this my business…& so do ALL of us in rescue in the Mid-Atlantic region who regularly travel to do battle with the horse-butchers of the world at New Holland, including…

…by her own admission in the affidavit, LeFever, who estimates that she sold 120 horses for slaughter.

I regularly make it my business to confront & question people like LeFever, Michelson, Rotz, Whiteside & others…& I will continue to do so.

In fact, I…relish the confrontation & the questioning!

You do not like it that I & others make it our business?

Take your dislike & $3.81 & go to Starbucks & buy yourself a Grande Latte.

[Faverot]

Looks like word has gotten out (from AlexS?) to Kelsey LeFever & Melissa Michelson about the increasing interest in & about her collaboration with Melissa Michelson.

Just minutes ago, LeFever deleted Melissa Michelson’s name from the “Friends” list on LeFever’s…

…Facebook “Brandamore Belgians Farm” page.

Now is that a coincidence, AlexS?

And why, if Michelson’s association with LeFever via her Facebook page is of no significance or import vis-a-vis Lefever’s horse-for-butcher enterprise would…

…Lefever rush to delete Melissa Michelson’s name from her “Friends” list on her…

…Brandamore Belgians Farm Facebook page?

Call me a natural-born skeptic but the extraordinary coincidence & timing of LeFever’s deletion of Melissa Michelson’s name from her Facebook “Friends” page seems rather…

…suspicious.

I am now going to get on the phone with these journalists I spoke with earlier today & advise them of this latest development–& encourage them once again to contact Melissa Michelson.

Let’s hear what Ms. Michelson has to say for herself.

[RedMare01]

…or maybe they’re reading this thread?

[AlexS]

Oh for goodness sakes.
As the crazy has appeared, I am out.

[horselover0113]

KELSEY LEFEVER

WOW I AM STUNNED. I was just looking at her facebook page the other day but now its deleted… First of all who thinks Melissa Michelson from M&M Stables is affliated with her? Because if you look on her youtube channel its all Kelsey riding all of “sale” horses. Yet she stopped selling horses in Nov when Kelsey got arrested. I think they were both in on it and they need to serve their justice! I hope Kelsey rots in jail :mad:

[hrsrdr37]

Melissa Michelson

I am Melissa Michelson, proprietor of M&M Equestrian. The incident involving Kelsey Lefever is sad and unfortunate. I am a professional equestrian and I am completely committed to the training and welfare of horses and have the highest regard and respect for horses and horse people. I have the highest standards and ethics and assume responsibility for trying to find a good home and an appreciative, loving, or caring owner for every horse I train or sell. My many customers know that they can count on me to take a horse back if the match is not a good one and I will find another suitable home for the horse. I have never had a horse go to slaughter. I would never allow a horse to go to slaughter if I knew that was its intended fate, and I would never knowingly work with anyone who would take a horse to slaughter. I love horses and I consider such behavior and actions reprehensible.
I was briefly associated with Kelsey Lefever and met her when she brought a very nice horse for me to sell on sale board with commission, which is a big part of my business. She seemed to have access to many OTTB’s through trainers at Penn National and other race tracks, that I did not have. At the time Kelsey seemed to care about the horses and finding them good homes. As a way of making it easier for trainers with horses for sale to contact us I had some pens and mugs made for Kelsey to give out at the track with the slogan, “Make your slow racehorse count, finding new homes for OTTB’s”. On May 22, 2011 I heard and learned for the very first time that there was a concern that some horses entrusted to Kelsey had been seen on a truck at New Holland thought to be for transport to Canada for slaughter. I have no knowledge of any of the horses on the truck or the trainers or the owners involved. Although I had no first hand knowledge of what actually happened for Kelsey’s possible participation, I did tell Kelsey immediately that I was suspending all further equestrian business and communications with her until this matter was resolved and her name was cleared.
For the benefit of those who have any issues regarding my participation in this affair, please be advised that I was contacted during the Pennsylvania State Police investigation and have been fully cooperative. As of this date I am not even fully aware if my testimony will be necessary should Kelsey Lefever’s case go to trial. In addition, I was also interviewed by Penn National Racing Commission investigators and voluntarily provided them with supporting materials documenting the successful placement of all horses entrusted to me.
Even today I have no additional information other than what I am now reading in the news or on the internet. I continue to conduct business with the highest standards, ethics, and concern for every horse. I can account for every horse that I sold for Kelsey Lefever and I can account for every horse I ever sold to any other buyer other than Kelsey. I am grateful that I was able to find a good home for every horse that I sold for Kelsey on consignment. I am just as surprised as many others to read these accusations. I feel awful in this situation because I can empathize with other owners and trainers. I truly care about every horse and take great pride in rehabilitating horses and giving them new careers and second chances. I assure you that if you trust your horse to me your horse will be in good hands. I stand on my reputation and am always eager to make new equestrian friends and colleagues.
Melissa Michelson

[AlexS]

How ‘brief’ was your involvement with her Melissa? As I bought my horse in Nov 2009, and I have pics of him being ridden in your arena.

[QUOTE=hrsrdr37;6092440]
I can account for every horse that I sold for Kelsey Lefever [/QUOTE]

Why were you selling horses for her when she sells them herself?

[wookie]

m$m

m & m equest…it is unfortunate that we operate in a world where it is guilt by association but we do.

i had looked at your website before because at one point a friend of mine was looking for a project.

i am not accusing you of anything but am curious…are you stating you only got one horse from this creature because that is how you make it sound. or did you have a constant flow of horses from this gal?

one time i did call you about a horse and you stated it didn’t turn out to be what is was reported as and it had gone back where it came from. i took this as a very honest response. that it was more than a handful.

the horses you had for sale always looked well-cared for. in fact i referred quite a few to your websight.

when i want a ottb…i go to the trainers or a trusted middleman. i try and support canter. have two from there. i have had a total of 5 ottb’s. currently own four and sold one. i do resell them at times if they turn out to be noneventers or better suited for another discipline.

perhaps if this was a deal that looked too good to be true with this gal…then it was.

[Faverot]

Thank you for addressing the questions of your association & involvement with Kelsey LeFever.

Your version of facts, events, & the chronology you present here (above) are consistent with what I/we know about the investigation in the deceitful & horse-lethal enterprise led by Kelsey LeFever that was overseen by TRooper Colleen J. Shelly of the PA State Police.

Going further than using this forum to discuss your experience with LeFever & using it as a platform to help all of us in Thoroughbred & other-breed horse rescue community protect & ensure the well-being of OTTBs & horses everywhere…

…would constitute a mature, thoughtful, & valuable response & contribution in light of what, after all, was your involvement in a terrible, abusive situation.

Simply disassociating yourself from LeFever, her horse-deadly enterprise, & her confederates might well be all that you think you can & should do.

However, going public with your experience, seeking out forums to discuss what happened, working publicly with horse-rescue organizations, & perhaps even sponsoring or participating in horse-rescue fund-raising activities, for Canter USA & other viable horse-rescue charities or…

…using your contacts with & access to Thoroughbred owners & trainers to support OTTB rescue, retraining, & rehoming…

…with no stake in or benefit from commercial profit…

…would constitute & reveal a sincere recognition of & commitment to OTTB & other horse-breed rescue & welfare.

I sincerely hope that you in the future you will be more selective in your choice of “friends” & business partners.

[Dispatcher]

Faverot, you are sounding like quite the zealot.

Doesn’t seem like Melissa is the one that needs to repent but rather it should be Kelsey.

[arabhorse2]

Agreed, Dispatcher.

Melissa doesn’t appear to need to ‘atone’ for anything, regardless of what Faverot thinks. :rolleyes:

Faverot, your crazy’s showing. It’s not a very good look.

[Linny]

Unless MM was involved in the fraudulent acquisition of horses then she has nothing to repent for. Even if she had a considerable business relationship with Lefever, it doesn’t mean that she was involved in fraud.
Horses often move from barn to barn before being sold. Barn 1 might have great turn out and be a great place for a racehorse to be rested and turned out then restarted. Farm owner may they opt to send them to Barn 2 because they have better jumping training/equipment etc. If horse appears to have (say) aptitude for the hunters, he may move to Barn 3. The ones that don’t get sound enough for heavy work might go elsewhere. A very quiet one may go to a barn with lots of children etc.
Assuming that every barn in that chain is “closely tied” to others is not always accurate.

Remember, this is a case of FRAUD. Selling horses to slaughter is not a felony, but fraud is. Unless a person was involved in acquiring horses under false pretenses with Lefever, having done business with her doesn’t make them guilty. Should be charge the guy who sold Lefever her latte too? Look, it sounds like people started to have suspicions but didn’t do anything. Lefever clearly had enough “legit” business to convince people that she was on the up and up.

[Susan_P]

Maybe breeders should stop breeding volumes of horses.

True Story Example:

Trainer/Breeder in PA says he bred 50 TBs in 2011 and he owns 10 acres and rents other pasture.

Same trainers now says he will breed less horses in 2012 and breed for quality.

My question is, “Why didn’t you do it that way sooner?” You can be sure some of those 50 horses will end up at the slaughterhouse.

Yes, I know this guy. :rolleyes:

@thatguy160;6086502

Oh, and you are most certainly correct as 154 horses as opposed to 4 would have been way less shameful to ship to canada. Perhaps everyone on the market should adopt a rescue instead of buying their dream horse if we’re all so concerned about their futures