For the record, I thought then and still feel now that firing Maria Borell the day after winning the breeder’s cup sprint was a crappy thing to do. If, as some have alluded to they fired her due to this I think that is an even crappier thing to do. They should have cut ties the moment they found out, not waited until she lined their pockets one last time.
Technically speaking it was the horse that lined their pockets not her. I was always told that most good horses are easy to train and make you look like a genius…but never having trained a good horse I would not personally know! But the corporate office staff trainer seemed to have also won a good race with him? He seems to win for everybody god bless him.
As an aside, I was wondering whether the groom was also responsible for his success as that seems to be one person that has stayed constant (or am I wrong about that?)
[QUOTE=LauraKY;8723189]
KY law enforcement is atrocious when it comes to protecting horses. They don’t want to spend the funds to take care of them in a seizure, so they just won’t do a seizure.[/QUOTE]
This is not a problem unique to Kentucky. Most local animal control officials have neither the training nor the resources to handle situations like this. Not in any way to excuse the lack of response in this case. Borell was also moving them from farm to farm, county to county which made it difficult.
Several good people are now involved with this situation and the horses will be getting the care they need soon.
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8723431]
LauraKY:: Having been involved in horse rescue for many years, I am so sorry that this is happening in your state. I recall reading early in this thread the animal control affidavit on Maria saying they found no problems at her farm and thinking to myself something is amiss. It appeared then to be malicious on the part of the accusers. I had no idea how terrible animal welfare enforcement is in KY and it spans all breeds and disciplines. Thank you for being so honest and compassionate. I have done some research on KY laws and they are truly lacking. Googling the issue is truly an eye opener. Atrocious is the perfect term.[/QUOTE]
Luvmytbs intimately knows the horse welfare situation in KY.
I’ve done my share of reporting, even one of my neighbors. LE, AC and the state vet never see anything wrong. There was a case last year with Larry Browning a hoarder/kill buyer…the animal cruelty officer from an adjacent county quit when Browning was offered a plea deal and allowed to keep horses. Kentucky really is the worst state in the country for animal welfare.
Maria Borell’s dad has been arrested and charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty. There is a warrant out for Maria’s arrest. Hopefully they nab her soon. She is pure trash.
[QUOTE=maunder;8724027]
There is a post beginning to go viral within the Facebook horse community that Borell is in Syracuse and at Finger Lakes Race Track looking for free horses.
I haven’t been able to find anyone yet that can confirm this. I don’t know the source of the original post as I haven’t been able to track it back that far yet.
Here is the post.
“ALERT I was just told the MARIA BORELL has allegedly been sighted at Finger Lakes racetrack inquiring about free horses there and is staying with her dad in Syracuse. Please alert anyone you know who runs horses here to be diligent in researching any new owners. She is alleged to be looking for a farm to rent in Ontario. The NY State Troopers are on alert for her as well. PLEASE SHARE AND TAG anyone who may be able to thwart her efforts to continue her criminal activities and abuse.”
More info: It appears stewards and others have been alerted at the track, just in case and trainers are passing the word around. I found the source of the Facebook post, but don’t want to put someone’s name here. Easy to find with a search.[/QUOTE]
I have three NY state troopers in my family and they all work out of the Syracuse area. Im going up that way next week to look at horses and visit family and will ask them if they have heard anything about this.
This whole story is horrifying especially since the horses who have made her career are suffering. At the end of the day I feel pride that I take care of my horses who have given their all for me. The horses who have helped me along the way are either sitting in my pasture or have great homes. My career is built by my horses and I honor them for that.
This woman seems like scum and I am sick that she has caused so much suffering to these horses. I believe in karma and I hope its going to bite her so hard in the butt that she cant sit down again.
