An owner who doesn’t understand the system, and a trainer who hasn’t communicated such an understanding although not necessarily their fault, are not a new issue in equestrian sport.
A couple of bad breakup stories …
Does anyone remember the story of HJ Hampton “Henny”, promising elite-level eventer brought up the ranks by Peter Atkins? The long-running drama was followed closely on COTH if anyone can find threads.
Atkins was/is an Australian eventer based in the U.S. Henny was originally purchased by the aunt of one of Atkin’s lesson students for her neice to ride about 2006-2007 (I think). But Peter saw talent, and Henny ended up in training with Peter for progress up the eventing levels. Peter felt the horse was legit for targeting the Australian Olympic team (at the time in some disarray), and he was getting positive feedback from team connections.
Atkins was a SM pioneer among eventers, promoting Henny. He was one of the first riders to go viral on youtube with a helmet cam of a cross-country run in competition. He showed the power of SM to attract positive attention.
Peter was paying all of the horse’s expenses, and I think was a half-owner in return. The owner, not an eventer or a sophisticated horse person, and not someone who had ever considered such a project, was going along with Peter as he progressed Henny up the levels. The goal was that at some point Henny would be sold as a 5* (then 4*) horse for a very high value, and she would share in the proceeds. I am not sure if there was a written contract more than some emails, and maybe a handwritten-on-notebook-paper variety.
But somewhere along the line the owner began to feel completely over her head and out of place, as she was attending the KY 3-Day and other elite competitions. She became convinced that Peter would sell the horse and cut her out. So one night she ‘kidnapped’ Henny from Peter’s barn and disappeared with him. Massive legal situation, question of her right to take the horse as she was essentially a 50% co-owner, Henny’s location – and quality of care – unknown, and weeks to get the horse returned to Peter’s care.
Henny was finally returned to his home barn and care routine with Atkins. But by then he was out-of-shape and soon in a serious colic that he barely survived.
Many more legal documents and a court appearance or two later, the Atkins family bought the co-owner’s share of Henny, to stay with them as both a family pet and a competition horse for Peter. At a price set by a judge.
In the aftermath there were questions among the gp about the completeness of Henny’s recovery, although eventually he did return to competition with Atkins.
But the dream of the Olympics, and a high-dollar sale, was over. For the co-owner as well as for Atkins.
At least Sensation FOD didn’t have a journey like Henny’s. There are other such tales out there in the wilds. It happens.
