Sources:  Various

Eventing fans have been following the partnership of Henry Joter Hampton, known as Henny, and Peter Atkins for some time now, but particularly since Atkins began wearing a helmet cam on several cross-country runs.  A couple of these videos have been posted here on Barnmice (Richland Park and WEG).

There is obviously a very special partnership between these two, and they have inspired many loyal followers.  Henny has his own website and page on Facebook while fans have been able to purchase helmet cam DVDs, along with "Run Henny Run" t-shirts and hats to help support competition expenses for the pair.

Then last month news broke that Henny's 'owner', that is, current, former, or part owner, Linda Martin, had taken him from Atkin's barn without permission.  Following a hearing, Martin was ordered to return the horse while legal ownership was determined.

Ownership in this instance is a murky issue.  Henny, who is a 9 year old Selle Francais gelding, had originally been purchased by Martin for her daughter to ride in Hunter shows.  Atkins reports that he first saw Henny at a jumping clinic in 2007, and at that time the horse was "mentally fried" and wouldn't even go over a rail on the ground.  Martin arranged to leave Henny with Atkins with the goal of retraining and then selling him.  The deal that was struck, according to stories on the internet, was that Atkins would support and train the horse, then would receive half the proceeds from the sale.  There was apparently no written agreement.  This is, of course, the stuff that legal disputes are made of.

As Atkins worked with Henny, the horse's talent became apparent.  Instead of selling him on, Atkins brought him up to the top levels of the sport, culminating in solid rounds at 4**** Rolex and WEG this year.  Martin was not involved with Henny's care nor expenses during this period.  For several reasons, Atkins apparently placed his own name as owner on a couple of official documents, according to some accounts with Martin's knowledge.  At some point, Martin approached Atkins with a lease agreement, which Atkins refused to sign.  Atkins has also reportedly offered to buy out Martin, which she has declined.  

These are the basic elements of the story as reported on a couple of websites. eventingnation.com in particular has some excellent coverage and editorial.

This is a story which has brought out strong opinions on both sides in the virtual equestrian world.  Some argue that since Atkins has not only picked up all the expenses as well as putting in the training which brought the horse to the level of success he has now achieved, he has a legitimate claim to at least part ownership in the horse.  Those who support Martin point out that she is still the official owner, possessor of a bill of sale, and that her rights cannot be ignored or denied.  Whether she was justified in removing the horse from Atkin's barn, a judge at least did not think so and she had to return Henny to Atkins.  

One of the arguments to which the pro-Atkins sympathizers frequently refer is that a very special bond must exist between horse and rider to make it to the levels at which Atkins and Henny are competing.  Coincidentally, following the WEGs, the partnership of multiple gold medal winners Edward Gal and Totilas was dissolved when Totilas was sold to Germany, and eventer Michael Jung, eerily similar to Atkins and Henny, had his WEG partner removed from his barn by a co-owner (and also had the horse returned through negotiation following a judge's ruling).  

The most recent news is that Atkins, Martin and their respective attorneys met for arbitration this week, and were unable to achieve an agreement.  This means that the case will end up in court, to be sorted by a judge, unless a last minute out of court agreement is reached.  It will be interesting and sad to see how a judge, who is not familiar with the ins and outs of equestrian sport, will weigh out the factors which eventers are debating among themselves in cyberspace.