Rita Crundwell Released Early

[roseymare]

So I think the US Marshals did a terrible job with the Crundwell sales. They obviously did not have anyone advising them. The online auction groupings were haphazard. Lots of mixed sizes and mixed disciplines. The trophies were an afterthought and sold as a lot. NO decent hunter equipment made it into ANY sale. There was maybe a few hunt coats and one pair of boots. And they were nothing special. In my opinion so much money was left on the table.

She was actually quiet and reserved at shows leaving her money to talk for her.

I believe she was showing AQHA in the mid 90’s when I was helping out in the show office at a IL facility.

[roseymare]

They did at least get a good company for the in person sales.

[Paint_Party]

Thanks, that is all interesting info. Not sure why I find this case so fascinating. Maybe it’s the wanton hubris of thinking she’d continue to get away with this, or the manner in which she spent her ill-gotten money so openly.

[oldernewbie]

I was fascinated with the case because I have always wondered what it would be like to spend as much money as you wanted on your horses. So now I have a glimpse of it, and it was amazing. However, it did come with a bit of a downside for the person doing the spending!

[roseymare]

I will never forget when I heard of the arrest. I immediately called my husband and honestly figured we’d get a call from the FBI for information gathering because of our role with the AQHA affiliate. I did endorse at least one or two checks from her for deposit into the youth account. RC probably wouldn’t have known us from Adam by sight but may have recognized our names. But we didn’t get a call and had no real info anyway. She donated money to the youth once or twice and that was the extent of our involvement. We never actively solicited from her like other states did or ours had in the past. Maybe we had a Spidey sense or maybe as I said before I’m just an old school 4-Her who thinks kids should work a bit and ask for their own fundraising donations.

Hubby had just been to her farm a couple of weeks before the arrest for a combined youth college judging team workout. I can’t remember if she was there or if it was just the barn managers. As I said she wierdly kept a low profile. It’s hard to explain. She was at horse shows, winning tons, and spending lots of money but when seen she was mainly just smiling and nodding and not really conversing. Maybe if one was invited to the large parties at Congress they got a different view but for most of us she was just quietly there and not a social butterfly or anything.

[Paint_Party]

Maybe it was a guilty conscience? Or worried that if she got too gabby she’d blab something she’d regret? Or perhaps she was enjoying it all: the pageantry, the winning and the pretty horses-- soaking it all in, as it were-- because deep down inside she knew that eventually it was going to come to an ugly end.

So much speculation. Guess we’ll never really know the Whole Scoop. Yet again, I find it all fascinating from both a human and equestrian perspective.

[trubandloki]

I can imagine that even an introvert would like to have fancy things and win lots of pretty ribbons and awards.

[jvanrens]

Am I the only one wondering if her boyfriend is still in the picture? Or at least I think he was her boyfriend? Heavy set guy, a trainer if I recall correctly.

[roseymare]

He is still in the horse industry. Other than that I have no idea about whether he is still involved with her. He did intervene in the suit against her for board bills owed. Never heard the outcome. I think there were some others mainly vets who also were seeking part of the recoups from the sales.

[jvanrens]

Thanks roseymare. I haven’t followed the QH business for a few years. Not enough time for work and life and the Standardbreds when you’re racing. I just remember the ads with him sitting on the donkey. I’ve wondered off an on for years if he ever knew what she was doing?

[roseymare]

Well I have my own opinion on that. LOL

I love Standardbreds btw. Hubby and I have toyed with the idea of owning one but the industry has taken a tumble here in IL.

So instead we do some TB buying and selling with a friend and have two old QH pasture puffs.

[jvanrens]

I have a 28 year old appendix QH (retired horse in my avatar) and a 17 year old STB that I’m hoping to ride more this year if his health and mine align. Last year he found a nail in his paddock that went right though his hoof, came out above his heel. Fortunately it healed beautifully, but with the stinking hot summer we had last year, I had one nice ride on him before fall hit us hard.