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Split over alleged cover-up
Cover-up?
5 December, 2009
A massive row has erupted in the Arab Horse Society (AHS). Members accuse the society of covering up an incident of cruelty at the national championship show at Malvern. But the society argues complaints were not made within its rules and that other eye-witnesses saw no cruelty.
Elaine Mann, the society's chairman of shows and events and council member, has resigned over the issue, saying: "I can no longer agree with the findings of the investigation committee into the abuse case at Malvern."
And now Carolyn Kokta, a member of the PR and membership committee, has left the society over the affair.
Several eyewitnesses told H&H about the alleged incident on 30 July. They say a colt belonging to AHS treasurer Heather Brown was beaten to the ground with a schooling whip by handler Barry Shepherd.
The two-year-old, Montgomery, was not seriously marked and won his futurity class the following day with another handler.
Producer and AHS member Elizabeth Turner says she challenged Mr Shepherd at the show. She is calling for an independent inquiry or vote of no confidence in the council.
"It wasn't just a couple of slaps, the whipping went on for about 10min — even when he'd fallen over — I've never seen anything like it," she told H&H.
Another eyewitness, Joanne Russell, told H&H "top people in the Arab showing world" had been shocked by the event.
And a stud owner, who does not wish to be named, also saw the incident.
"The horse was hit across his front in front of everyone — including his owner," she said. "The trainer has a very good record, so I was surprised."
Ms Turner believes that the incident has been "swept under the carpet" because of close links between the AHS and the alleged perpetrators.
"It's one big cover-up," she said. "Letters have gone missing or haven't been logged. Mine was the only letter they said they considered and I wasn't even interviewed."
The AHS released a statement on 24 August confirming that complaints had been received, but adding that most were discounted on the grounds of not being eyewitness reports or not having been submitted through the correct procedures.
The society says no-one officially objected at the time and claims seven letters were received from people who watched "all or part of the training session at which cruelty is alleged to have occurred but saw no cruelty".
AHS chairman Finn Guinness said the society "is not planning another investigation". He suggested Elaine Mann had launched an attack on the society after being asked to stand down from running the Malvern show for an unrelated matter. Mrs Mann denies this.
Heather Brown's solicitor, Sarah Webb of Russell Jones & Walker, said there is no basis for an independent investigation.
"My client was cleared in accordance with terms of the Arab Horse Society," she said.
Horse and Hound
5 December, 2009
A massive row has erupted in the Arab Horse Society (AHS). Members accuse the society of covering up an incident of cruelty at the national championship show at Malvern. But the society argues complaints were not made within its rules and that other eye-witnesses saw no cruelty.
Elaine Mann, the society's chairman of shows and events and council member, has resigned over the issue, saying: "I can no longer agree with the findings of the investigation committee into the abuse case at Malvern."
And now Carolyn Kokta, a member of the PR and membership committee, has left the society over the affair.
Several eyewitnesses told H&H about the alleged incident on 30 July. They say a colt belonging to AHS treasurer Heather Brown was beaten to the ground with a schooling whip by handler Barry Shepherd.
The two-year-old, Montgomery, was not seriously marked and won his futurity class the following day with another handler.
Producer and AHS member Elizabeth Turner says she challenged Mr Shepherd at the show. She is calling for an independent inquiry or vote of no confidence in the council.
"It wasn't just a couple of slaps, the whipping went on for about 10min — even when he'd fallen over — I've never seen anything like it," she told H&H.
Another eyewitness, Joanne Russell, told H&H "top people in the Arab showing world" had been shocked by the event.
And a stud owner, who does not wish to be named, also saw the incident.
"The horse was hit across his front in front of everyone — including his owner," she said. "The trainer has a very good record, so I was surprised."
Ms Turner believes that the incident has been "swept under the carpet" because of close links between the AHS and the alleged perpetrators.
"It's one big cover-up," she said. "Letters have gone missing or haven't been logged. Mine was the only letter they said they considered and I wasn't even interviewed."
The AHS released a statement on 24 August confirming that complaints had been received, but adding that most were discounted on the grounds of not being eyewitness reports or not having been submitted through the correct procedures.
The society says no-one officially objected at the time and claims seven letters were received from people who watched "all or part of the training session at which cruelty is alleged to have occurred but saw no cruelty".
AHS chairman Finn Guinness said the society "is not planning another investigation". He suggested Elaine Mann had launched an attack on the society after being asked to stand down from running the Malvern show for an unrelated matter. Mrs Mann denies this.
Heather Brown's solicitor, Sarah Webb of Russell Jones & Walker, said there is no basis for an independent investigation.
"My client was cleared in accordance with terms of the Arab Horse Society," she said.
Horse and Hound
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