Sources:  Various

On December 27, 2008, seven horses disappeared overnight from a stable in Belgium.  Four of the horses were owned by Joelle Triplot-Leonard, one by Mercedes Destine, and two others by a horse dealer, Guy Jacobs .  The animals have been described as high-level show jumpers.  

At first, Ms. Triplot-Leonard accused Laura Newman, an up-and-coming British show jumping rider, of being involved in the disappearance.  International warrants were issued for Ms. Newman's arrest and for her extradition to Belgium.  

However, Ms. Newman came forward voluntarily to help the Belgian police in their enquiries, and was able to locate and return one of the horses.  The warrants were all dropped.

It is not clear what happened to the horses belonging to Jacobs, but he apparently sold the three belonging to Triplot-Leonard and Destine to a woman in Derbyshire.  

The purchaser and current owner is 70 year-old Joan Whetter.  She runs a stable in Breaston, and   Newman rides for her.  She maintains that she bought the horses in good faith from Jacobs.

The Belgian women have sued Ms. Whetter for return of the animals.  There is no allegation that she was involved in the disappearance. 

Jacobs has allegedly been arrested in Belgium.