Conference noted::equitation

    Yes, I saw that show on killing horses for insurance.  It made me
    ill.                 
    
    About three years ago, a major horse insurer investigated a death of a
    "syndicated" colt which was sold for $8,000 then syndicated for
    $300,000.  The company accepted the insurance premium for the $300,000
    with no question (at 3.75%).  Then about 6 months later the horse died
    at a well-known establishment in Minnesota of a ruptured stomach.  The
    horse was posted at the University of Minnesota clinic. 
    
    The insurer took everyone to court.  They could not prove foul-play
    and/or that the horse WAS NOT worth that much and ended up having to
    pay up.  We all thought foul-play might be involved (he definitely
    needed cosmetic surgery) but there was no way to prove anything. 
    
    A friend of mine owned the horse originally and was the one to sell it
    fo $8,000.  The detective interviewed quite a few of us (officers in
    the local club) and we couldn't help much.  He was intent on proving
    the horse couldn't have been worth that much and couldn't understand
    that horses are worth what people will pay.  He didn't seem to be as
    smart as the guy on TV. 
                                                 
    This situation certainly opened my eyes to what could go on when
    expensive young horses don't turn out to be as successful for their
    owners as they had planned.  I sure do wonder when I hear that a
    horse who has been highly advertised, produces a bunch of average
    foals, then dies suddenly.
    
    I think we are seeing insurance companies being more careful about
    accepting the values place on insured animals rather than just grabbing
    the premium and running.  

    As in any business, there are some people who care only about profit...
    
    I get a newsletter every so often from Rhulen.  I gather from these
    newsletters that most of their problems have been with Quarter Horses
    (spare the Arabs for now!).
    
    Remember the racehorse Swale, by Seattle Slew, who won the Ky. Derby
    and Belmont a few years back, and then died of mysterious causes?
    I never heard if the cause of death was definitely proven, but at
    one point there was speculation that Swale was lacking in the fertility
    department... so he was worth more if he died.  

    My mother saw the show and told me about it, and I asked her if
    the horses they used were Arabs (I suspected they would be used
    as targets).  I think that a major point that you have over looked
    is the methods they use to kill these horses.  Tennis balls shoved
    in the horses nostrils, plastic bags over their heads, and even
    the needle they use to cause intestinal infections.  The horse
    certainly does suffer from these methods as opposed to euthanasia
    where it is painless (although this method is obviously detected,
    therefore the suffering methods continue).
    
    I know of a type of fraud that does not require that the horse be
    killed.  A horse owner that has an expensive show horse will donate that
    horse to say a riding school, then deduct that that donation from
    his taxes.  The riding school will keep the horse for a few months
    then sell it for maybe 1,000-2000 (make a small profit), claiming
    that the horse just wasn't working out (dumping riders or biting
    people, etc.).  Then the horses papers and everything is destroyed,
    and the new owner later sells the horse back to the original owner
    for a small profit.  Complicated, but the horse survives at least.

    Re: .2
    
    Swale died while in training. The rumor of his infertility (which
    I never heard) was probably just that. Racehorses generally are
    not tested for reproductive problems until they are retired to be
    bred. A thorough autopsy found some abnormalities in his heart,
    though it could not be proven that the abnormalities caused Swale's
    death. I also don't think Claiborne Farms which owned Swale would
    risk its considerable reputation with insurance fraud.
    
    Just wanted to clear that up. 
    
    Vicky
    Vicky

    Thanks, Vicky for clearing that up.  I had read in several papers,
    and also heard on the radio, about the infertility rumor.  But then
    I never heard anymore after that.  I guess infertility and the
    possibility of foul play makes a more sensational story than a heart
    problem does...

    My wife & I watched that insurance fraud section also, she had to
    leave half way through, talk about upset. The allmighty dollar has
    struck the horse again. How can anyone be so cold. There is somebody
    out there that would buy the horse before their MURDERED....
    
    
                                           Steve
    
    
    
    

    I didn't see the show but heard about it and was almost ill just
    imagining what they did to those trusting animals. anyone that would
    treat an animal that way would probably not hesitate to off their
    immediate relatives for a profit. liesl

    Hi,
    
    I haven't seen this in any of the other topics I've paged
    through today, so I thought I'd ask.....
    
    Did anyone see DATELINE NBC last night?  It had an article
    on people killing horses for the insurance money.  I could
    only look at parts of it, as it was so gruesome.  Some were
    being killed for a $30,000 return, some were being killed
    for millions.  
    
    The only name they mentioned that I recognized was George
    Lindeman, Jr..  He has been accused of killing Charisma for
    a $400,000 insurance policy.  He has, of course, denied
    any participation, but the death of the horse does look
    suspicious. 
    
    I also saw a reference to an article in Sports Illustrated.
    And it was mentioned in this month's 'Practical Horseman'.
    
    Its all pretty terrible!
    
    Jan
    

    
    	Pretty terrible indeed... after watching with my husband last night
    I was really overwhelmed with the [fact] that especially the guy they
    interviewed who had CONFESSED to some of these brutal deaths - were
    horse "people".  What I mean is that they HAD to know what they were
    doing around a horse in order to accomplish what they tasked themselves
    to do... I can't imagine it.  I can't imagine ANYone doing this anyway
    but that's my inability to believe there are such people in the world I
    guess...................
    
    	I know there are all kinds of sick folks out there doing all kinds
    of sick things, it is incredible what the 'almighty dollar' does.  I
    certainly appreciate that these programs get this kind of visability
    and when there are "big guys" involved, all we can hope is that they
    are convicted for not only their illegal activities - but the pain and
    suffering they inflict on innocent animals.
    
    	Not to mention what it probably does to insurance rates!
    
    	oh well........
    
    	sign_me_disgusted
    
    	holly
    
    

    If the show was about the same thing I read a while ago, what
    bothers me is that the insurance co. paid out, even when the
    inspector proved foul play to the horse.  The insurance co.
    didn't want to get a nametag as "not paying".....

    I made a point of not watching it or reading the articles.  The whole
    subject matter is so heart-breaking to me.  But I'm glad it's getting
    publicity.
    
    Do you know which insurance company still paid out the money.  I'd like
    to write them a letter telling them what they've just done to their
    precious reputation...

    Also, the broadcast stated that many big-name, respected owners, riders
    and veterinarians will be named in the indictment.
    
    The other name that was mentioned was Buddy Brown - correct me if I'm
    wrong.
    
    In Lendemen's (sp) case, I can't believe money was the motive - this
    guy is rich - I'll bet he was trying to cover up a big mistake of
    judgement, in terms of the horse's abilities, on his part.
    
    Mary, you were wise not to watch - it was sickening.

    I didn't see the program but I did read the article out of Sports
    Illustrated.  They had it at the IAHA Convention last Fall.
    I had a real hard time with the article...couldn't finish it.  I
    don't think I want to see the broadcast.
    
    Kathie
    

    This may sound morbid but did anyone tape the show.  I totaly missed it
    and didn't even know it was on.  I usually keep up on these things for
    the purpose of keeping track of the bad guys in the horse business.  I
    know it is a strange request but if someone did tape it or can give me
    the magazine and date so I can try and find it.
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Virginia

    I saw the show but I did not read the article in Sports Illustrated.  I
    couldn't believe it myself.  What I found that was really scary was
    that when they mentioned the veterinarians involved they were the go
    betweens for this Tommy Burns and the people who wanted to have these
    jobs done.  George Lindeman and Donna and Buddy Brown were the only
    three people mentioned in last nights program.  Maybe the AHSA and some
    similar organizations can kick some of these people out like baseball
    and football do. 
    
    When they make all the names public I'm sure it will have a tremendous
    impact on the horse jumping/racing world.  Sponsors/owners and other
    clients will not want to be involved with such filth.  Most horse
    owners wouldn't take their business within 100 miles of people with
    morals like the ones I saw last night.
    
    KJ 

    What bothered me the most is that it is not even a very serious crime
    to kill a horse in a slow and painful manner!  The only "real" crime is
    collecting on the insurance money.  The prospect of paying a few extra
    dollars for insurance to cover fraud doesn't disgust me.  I was
    disgusted when the under cover agent watched people break a horse's leg
    with a crowbar, but didn't do anything because he wanted to catch them
    doing something *really* bad -- like take money from an insurance
    company. :-(
    
    Rick

Animals sure do seem to pay the price for our greed.  But then again, how
many times have you seen a totally objectionable thing happen to someone
and the camera crew keep on filming.  Without doing anything, but getting
a *really* great story (said with a sneer).

I think alot of the press are pretty contemptable.

I also think that the AHSA should be looking into this.  I get their
magazine and so far only a short blurb.  I can't believe they'd want
this kind of thing to continue.  Much less allow these people to 
be continued exhibitors.

Its all so horrible.

Jan

    What really surprized me with this show was at the start they said that
    they believe this type of thing happens with one out of every three 
    insurance claims.  I think thats what the figure was, that's a lot of
    horses.
    
    Sharon
    

    1 out of every 3?  Maybe that's why it happens, i
    if they pay off that often.....

This was in this morning's paper:

	23 ARE CHARGED WITH KILLING SHOW HORSES FOR INSURANCE CLAIMS

	CHICAGO (AP) - They represented much that was enviable
	about the lifestyles of the rich and famous: Graceful riders -
	some members of the U.S., Equestrian Team - cooaxing costly
	steeds over jumps at prestigious horse shows.
	    But prosecutors say that outside the ring, the beauty turned
	beastly: animals were being electrocuted, maimed, even burned
	to death for insurance claims.
	    "The bottom line? G-R-double-E-D," said Bill Graham, an insur-
	ance investigator who travels the country to scrutinize suspicious
	horse deaths. The accused "think they are going to live forever - 
	and take every dollar to the grave and beyond."
	    U.S. Attorney Jim Burns ticked off the charges at a crowded news
	conference on Wednesday: 23 people from such comfortable
	confines as Greenwich, Conn., and Palm Beach, Fla.
	    Their horses were named Roseau Platiere, Emili's Choice and
	condino, and they rode from stables called Castle Hill Farm and
	Country Club Stables.
	    Among them was George Lindemann Jr., the sone of cellular
	phone tycoon George Lindemann - worth $575 million by Forbes
	magazine's last accounting.
	    The younger Lindemann made his mark not in business, but in
	the show ring. He rode his way to a berth on the 1985 U.S.
	Equestrian Team and as recently as April, placed third in the
	American Invitational Grand Prix in Florida.
	    The charges against Lindemann resemble the charges
	against several other prominent horsemen: when his horse, Charisma,
	proved not to be the winner he had hoped, Lindemann through a
	friend hired a horse killer. For $25,000, according to the 
	indictment, a horse killer who went by the names Tim Ray and
	Tom Burns crept into Cellular Farms, Inc., and electrocuted
	Charisma.
	    No one answered phones at the farm or at a Greenwich, Conn.,
	residence listed to Lindemann yesterday,.
	    Graham said that electrocution frequently can be masked as 
	colic, a not uncommon killer of horses. Most of the 15 horses
	mentioned in Wednesday's indictment died that way. But one
	is alleged to have had its leg broken with a club as it was
	unloaded from a van. Several others ddied when one man, Ronald
	Mueller, simply set fire to a horse trailer, the indictment
	alleges.
	    The rarefied world of show horses can also be a lucrative
	world. Vikki Karcher Siegel, a trainer at Snowbird Acres Farm
	in Schooley's Mountain, N.J., said riders in Lindemann's league
	can win $200,000 a year.
	    It wasn't always that way, said Graham, owner of International
	Insurance Investigations Inc.
	    Before World War II, show horses belonged only to "the very
	very very rich" and insurance was unheard of. But in the '50s,
	show horses became big business.
	    "It was no longer a hobby," said Graham. "People started
	putting their life savings up...When a horse went down, these
	people could see their whole lives going down the tubes. That's
	when greed came into play and it got sinister."
	    Another man charged, Paul Valliere, "runs one of the best
	show barns in the east," Acres Wild Farm, said Siegel. "His
	horses are absolute straight-A circuit."
	    Valliere, of North Smithfield, R.I., is accused of hiring Ray
	to kill his barn's $75,000 horse, Roseau Platiere.
	    Graham said he rarely sees cases in which unscrupulous owners
	themselves kill their horses.
	    "They'll get some thug that's man enough to shed the blood,"
	Graham said.
	    There was no answer at Valliere's farm yesterday.

	<warning - I blow off a little steam here...>

	Re: last - I saw something in yesterday's paper, as well, which
	seemed to indicate that the case of a missing heiress is also
	related to this - I guess she found out and was going to blow the
	whistle. I don't remember her name or where the money came from
	(Kmart or something like that - I'll try to remember to bring it
	in).

	At any rate, the first note in this stream is April, 1987. IT'S 
	MORE THAN SEVEN YEAR LATER and these guys have been SHOWING! WHERE
	IS THE AHSA???? As a member I'm going to send them a serious letter.
	I can't believe they haven't been suspended. AND I'm going to Attitash
	this summer - I hope Lindemann isn't riding. I don't know what I'd do.
	I know Cellular Farms sends a lot of jumpers there.

	True, you can say not guilty until proven guilty, but if they've
	been collecting evidence for 7 years, and have filed charges, there
	has to be something there, and I believe that he, and anyone else
	these charges have been filed against, should be suspended from
	AHSA until the thing has been adjudicated.

	And Valliere Farm is another one! These people and their students
	ride the hunter circuit in this area: I am buying a horse this winter,
	and  Valliere is one place we'd look - NO WAY, NOW!

	I guess that what bothers me the most is that these people have been
	doing what they damned please for 7 years. And you know that this is 
	going to drag on and on. 

	Grrrrrr... I'd say they are pretty fortunate we have the legal system
	we do have. 

	-julie

    Wasn't the missing heiress from the Brach family (as in the candy)?
    
    Personally, I find it very hard to hear about things like this.  That
    kind of treatment of any animal is incomprehensible to me.  I hope that
    the guilty parties are not only banned from competition for life but
    punished to the fullest extend that animal abuse laws will allow. 
    Honestly, I'd like to see (once proven guilty) their careers in the
    horse world ruined permanently. 
    
    I also hope that the publicity this seems to be getting does not give
    the many responsible, caring horsepeople in the show jumping a bad name.  
    So many aspects of the horse world already have 'bad' reputations with
    the general public (racing, Saddlebred enthusiasts, to name a few).
    We all know that there are 'good' and 'bad' people in all aspects of
    the horse industy, I for one would like to see the good make the news
    once in awhile, too!
    
      

>    Wasn't the missing heiress from the Brach family (as in the candy)?

    Yes, you're right - my apologies to kmart!
    
    I expect that any sport/recreation can have nasty people in it; I happen
    to have a problem with hunters. I know that most of them are very
    careful, well-behaved, etc., and abhor some of the things that a very
    small percentage of them do. But I expect them to do more to ensure
    that the "bad ones" are taken care of appropriately - either to police
    their own areas, see to it that crazies can't get licenses, see to it
    that all licensed hunters can pass certain tests - whatever it takes.

    And I think we ought to do whatever we can to see that the bad ones
    are taken care of w/r/t equestrian pursuits. We have vehicles - the AHSA.
    And I'd bet Valliere is an NEHC member, so there's another. Some of us
    don't have a lot of time to join clubs and espouse causes, but I guess
    I can write a couple of letters.

    At any rate, I'm posting the names and address of AHSA, NEHC and MHC.
    Also a "blank" letter, like the one I'm sending. Feel free to use
    any of them.

    -julie

	
AHSA:	American Horse Shows Association
	220 East 42nd Street
	New York, NY 10017-5876


Letter:	July 29, 1994

	To the Board of Directors:
	
	On Wednesday in Chicago, 23 people were charged by U.S. Attorney
	Jim Burns with maiming, killing and burning horses for the purpose
	of insurance fraud.

	This investigation began seven years ago, and the same names
	which came up then are now being charged. However, some of these
	people have continued to compete in AHSA sanctioned shows and
	to retain AHSA membership.

	I respectfully request that any member of the AHSA named in these
	charges be suspended at this time, until the cases have been
	adjudicated, and only if the findings are in their favor.

	Regards,

    Julie,
    
    I agree with you whole-heartedly but I think your letter is mistaken or
    misleading. For example, you say:
    
    >This investigation began seven years ago, and the same names
    >which came up then are now being charged.
    
    That's not strictly correct. I don't think all these names came up 7
    years ago. Until the Nov. 1992 in Sports Illustrated article, I 
    never heard Lindemann's name, for example, in this context.
    
    Certainly those names don't appear in this note until the
    discussion of the Sports Illustrated article. The first part of
    this note was in response to a 1987 TV show about killing Arab show
    horses(among others) for insurance. It may well have been a different 
    case.
    
    It is correct that the investigation of this case began 7 years ago 
    but, as I understand it, this investigation started as a "missing 
    persons" case when Helen Brach disappeared. She was presumed murdered 
    with the primary suspect being a boy friend believed to be involved in 
    killing horses for insurance money. The theory being that she found out
    what he was doing and was killed to keep her from talking.
    
    >I respectfully request that any member of the AHSA named in these
    >charges be suspended at this time, until the cases have been
    >adjudicated, and only if the findings are in their favor.
    
    Is there a word missing in that last line? Should it read something
    like: "adjudicated, and only [reinstated] if the findings are in their
    favor" ????
                              
    Actually, your letter seemed quite calm and respectful considering the
    steam you were blowing a bit earlier! Wish I could act that cool when
    I'm steamed up!

Cut and crossposted from:

Article 42928 of rec.equestrian:
Newsgroups: rec.equestrian
From: neal.lavon@his.com
Subject: WEG,DAY 2, BAD NEWS
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 94 16:35:35 


Now for the bad news.  The Associated Press reported today that a circle of
horse breeders have been accused of conspiring to kill their own show horses to
collect huge insurance payments.  Their names and the indictments came up as a
result of the investigation into the disappearance of candy heiress Helen
Vorhees Brach, missing since 1977, and declared dead in 1984.

Brach's boyfriend, Richard Bailey, was charged Wednesday (7/27) with arranging
her killing after defrauding her in some horse sales.  He pleads innocent.

But in that investigation, 23 people were indicted for charges of
electrocution, starvation, and clubbing deaths of animals insured at values
greater than their worth.  Among them:

George Lindemann Jr from Connecticut who finished in third place at the
American Invitational Grand Prix for show jumpers this past April.  He was
charged with hiring somone to kill the horse Charisma in December of 1990.  The
horse did die due to electric shock.

Barney Ward of Brewster, New York, is charged with 19 counts of arranging the
killing of four horses to collect 570,000 dollars in insurance payments.  Ward
on Rapier won the 50,000 dollar grand Prix of Florida in March.

Donna Brown of Palm Beach, Florida, was indicted on charges of pahing 5,000
dollars to have a 6,500 dollar horse killed.  The horse was insured for some
25,000 dollars.

U.S. Attorney Jim Burns said *Those charged represent a virtual who's who of
the nation's equestrian industry.*  He said it was a *wake-up call for the
equestrian industry to put its house in order.*  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve
Miller said: *Ths is the dirty little secret of the industry.  It has now come
out of the closet.*

Horse owner Robin Douglas, city not identified, said, *It's still going on. 
When Helen died, there was a shock wave went out to people who knew too muich
about the horse industry to keep quiet.*

Brach's body has never been found.  Bailey is presently in police custody.

Stay tuned.  If there's more on this, I'll post and I'll post Friday's results
of the WEG, but then I"m going on a long-planned vacation.  Back on 8/6, and
I'll summarize and post again.  Sorry...

	I phoned the AHSA and spoke with Eric Strauss, who is officially
	handling the AHSA party line for this (phone: 212/972-2472).

	As expected, he gave me the standard "innocent until proven guilty"
	lead-in. And I can understand that; I'd do the same if I could be
	objective about this, but the situation really p*^*es me off!
	I told him how I personally felt and that I'd make an issue
	of this at Attitash if any of these people are there.

	At any rate, he told me that all 23 are going to be called to
	a hearing by the AHSA, and the findings will determine whether
	they're suspended or not. He expects the hearing(s) to start 
	within the next 6 weeks. (This brings to mind the US IOC and the
	Tanya Harding hearings.)

	If a person is suspended, they may not attend an AHSA affiliated
	show - not even be on the grounds; nor may any horse owned by
	them compete.

	Strauss said there would be an official statement in the papers
	tomorrow about this.

	-julie

    

	FYI, there was a large hunter/jumper show at Fieldstone Farm
	this past week. The organizers asked Paul Valliere not to 
	attend; he stayed away. I personally think this is the right
	thing to do until these charges have been cleared or proven.

	-julie

>>	within the next 6 weeks. (This brings to mind the US IOC and the
>>	Tanya Harding hearings.)

    I'd expect a repeat of that show.  If convicted they will be 
    thrown out ... the legal ramifications are so large and expensive.....

    Bill

    	Last week's NEWSWEEK had a full page article on this.

    Apparently, Barney Ward wasn't at Attitash yesterday...he pleaded "not
    guilty" in Chicago district court.

	I went to Attitash last weekend - Barney Ward was there; all of
	the horses he, his students and his son rode were "owned by"
	McLain Ward. In past years, of course, they were owned by Barney.
	I have some thoughts on that one...but rules won't allow me to type
	them here.

	George Lindemann was not there; Paul Valliere was and had horses
	entered.

	There was a large horse show at Stoneleigh Burnham all last week,
	and it was generally rumored that Paul Valliere has admitted
	guilt, and allowed the FBI to wire him in order to tape conversations
	he had with Barney Ward and George Lindemann.

	Things seem to be heating up...

	This is from the September 1994 issue of the Northeast Equine
	Journal, "Keeping Track" section, without permission (all typo's
	are mine). It's pretty mild, using a lot of words to say "we're
	going to have our own hearing". :

AHSA Responds to Indictments:

Statement from AHSA President Jane F. Clark concerning the federal criminal
indictments announced on July 27, 1994 in the equine insurance fraud
investigation:
    "I am very pleased to learn that the FBI and the United States Attorney's
Office have announced today that indictments have been issued by the
Special Federal Grand Jury sitting in Chicago in connection with the equine
insurance fraud investigation which has been ongoing since February, 1991.
While I am saddened that among those indicted are well-known horsemen and
horsewomen, it is reassuring to know that with care and patience the federal
authorities have followed through on theis matter to the point where federal
criminal charges have now been issued.
    "The American Horse Shows Association has always maintained and
enforced strict rules against abuse, cruelty and inhumane treatment of horses,
and in keeping with this tradition, the AHSA has given and will continue to
give law enforcement authorities its full cooperation in connection with the
Grand Jury proceedings and the pending prosecutions. We have been greatly
disturbed and shocked by the allegations that anyone would intentionally
kill or harm horses for purposes of insurance fraud or for any other reason,
and thus have taken and will continue to take great interest in the progress
of these matters within the criminal justice system.
    "Additionally, the necessary steps have been taken today to commence
formal rule enforcement proceedings within the AHSA with respect to these
cases. First, as soon as copies of the indictments themselves are available,
they will be delivered to the Office of the Executive Director of the AHSA,
who under our rules will review the content of each indictment and deter-
mine in her discretion whether indicted individuals are to be accused and
required to defend formal AHSA charges of rule violation respecting the alleged
incidents complained of in the indictments. If it is the opinion of our
Executive Director that the AHSA's rules against cruelty and abuse have bearing,
she will prepare and issue formal charges forthwith.
    "Secondly, the chairpersons of the AHSA's Hearing Committee have been
asked to stand at the ready to call the Hearing Committee into session at the
earliest possible time and to conduct prompt hearings on notice to those
accused with respect to any charges which may be issued by the Executive
Director. Under our rules the Hearing Committee has jurisdiction to invoke
penalties including exclusion, suspension and/or expulsion against any indi-
vidual who has been criminally indicted for acts of conspiring or participating
in acts of cruelty or abuse to a horse, whether or not the indicted individual
is a member of the AHSA, whether or not the alleged acts were engaged in at
AHSA recognized events, and whether or not the alleged acts were in conjunc-
tion with or an element of some other alleged offense, such as insurance fraud,
pending resolution of those charges.
    "In closing, I would like to emphasize that we are fortunate in our sport to
have a long standing tradition of enforcing strict rules prohibiting the
abuse of horses. We are also well-served by a strong and distinguished Hearing
Committee with a perfect record of successful rule enforcement while fully
respecting the rights of individuals in hearing and deciding many difficult
cases over the years. Our sport's record in this respect reflects the tremendous
care and concern that horsemen and horsewomen in the United States have for 
the well being of their horses. Though I am saddened today that our
internal disciplinary procedures will be invoked where applicable with respect
to those indicted, it is reassuring to know that the AHSA's rules and
procedures are in place for serving the best interests of our sport."

    
    Thanks for typing that in.  It is nice to know that the ASHA isn't
    going to remain silent forever on this awful development.
    
    As much as I might admire the skill and talent of some of those indicted
    I must abhore the greed that drives *anyone* to even think of doing
    something like this!
    
    Sue
      

    Another sad thing to come out of this is McLain Ward's situation -
    the kid's only about 16 or 17, extremely talented and only at the
    very beginning of what could be a brilliant show jumping career. I
    hope he's not directly involved in any of what went on, but his father
    looks to be very much involved; he can't help but be affected by what
    goes on.

    I'm very sorry that he has to go through this.

    -julie

(fyi) The inside front cover of this month's Pedlar devotes the
entire page to this subject; it also lists all 23 people charged.

Also, from the Sunday Telegram (Worcester, MA) 8/26:

"	Woman Pleads Guilty to Insurance Scam Role

	Chicago - A Virginia woman has pleaded guilty in a plot to kill
	show horses for insurance money.

	    Nancy Banfield pleaded guilty Friday in Chicago to having her
	horse electrocuted to pay off a $16,000 debt she owed Rhode Island 
	native Barney Ward. Banfield, 36, of Mathews, Va., testified at her
	arraignment that Ward, owner of an equestrian facility in Brewster,
	N.Y., introduced her to Tim Ray after learning her horse, Rub The
	Lamp, was insured for $50,000.

	    Ray, also known as Tommy Burns, has admitted killing 20 horses
	since 1985. Banfield said she wrote Ray a $2,500 check as a down
	payment and Ray drove the horse to Oregon, Ill. and electrocuted
	it.

	    Banfield's lawyer, John McMahon, said she will testify at Ward's
	trial on a 19-count indictment connected with the killing of four
	show horses. Ward is currently free on $200,000 bond, awaiting a 
	Dec. 20 hearing in the case.
"

It look's like Barney is going to get his...

-julie

    While I'll be glad to see some convictions in these cases, the problem
    is that they are being tried for fraud(i.e. getting money from the
    insurance company under false pretenses). For us, the real crime is
    that they (allegedly) killed healthy horses for no reason! If a horse is
    terminally ill or terminally nasty, most of us wouldn't have a problem
    with putting the horse down. But, these cases were murder, pure and
    simple. Therefore, anybody convicted ought to be hung, right? At least
    that's the penalty for murder here in WA state...well, the criminal
    gets a "choice" of hanging or lethal injection...

    IME, if a murderer is to be offed for his/her crime, the means of
    execution should be the same as the method of the murder.  If s/he
    electrocuted the horse(s), then electrocute 'em.  Hanging them is
    too good and may even be an insult to the rope.
    
    Better yet, execution by being trampled by a herd of horses!!
    
    Carl-who-has-no-mercy-for-horse-murderers
    
    P.S. -- yes it *was* a Clint Eastwood movie.

    Yes, I'll be glad to see convictions, too- and hanging would be too
    good for them! Well...hanging by the neck. The other problem is that
    if they were tried for killing, or even maiming the horses, the maximum
    penalty would be less than that for insurance fraud. This would be
    a good cause for animal rights activists - increase the punishment
    for crimes against animals - and more effective than trying to get
    us to heat our barns.

    I think I'll bring in the Pedlar article next week; it's pretty 
    interesting in that it lists each of the 23 people charged and what
    they're charged with. I seem to remember some annotation by the
    reporter about what they actually did - and it was NOT humane in
    most cases.

    I only recognized the 3 names we've already mentioned here - Ward,
    Valliere and Lindeman. But you may recognize others - especially
    considering that a couple of veterinarians are involved!

    -j

	The AHSA publication "HORSE SHOW" contains some official notices,
	this month - here are excerpts:

	...suspension pusuant to Rule V1, Article 608 [plan or conspiracy
	to commit any act of cruelty or abuse to a horse]...in which
	hearings have been continued to a future date:

	Richard Bailey, Chicago, IL
	Nancy Banfield, Mathews, VA
	Donna Brown, East Norwich, NY
	Robert Brown, Chicago, IL
	Ross Hugi, DVM, Mundelein, IL
	Donna Hunter, Mundelein, IL
	Michael Hunter, Mundelein, IL
	Paul Valliere, North Smithfield, RI
	Barney Ward, Brewster, NY

	...notice of penalties following hearings:

	Jerry Farmer, Augusta, GA
	Tammie Glaspie, Walker, MI
	Marion Hulick, Sterling, MA
	James N. Hutson, Winona, MN
	Herb Kroninger, Bolingbrook, IL
	Alan Levinson, Highland Park, IL
	George Lindemann, JR, Greenwich, CT
	Ron Mueller, Harvard, IL
	Phil Sudakoff, Chicago, IL
	Steve Williamson, Plainfield, IL

	...notice regarding cases awaiting disposition:

	Tim Ray, a/k/a Tommy Burns, Gray's Lake, IL
	Scott Thompson, residence unknown
	Johnnie Youngblood, Naperville, IL

	[this doesn't look like 23 to me...unless the aka was counted, as
	well?]

	And the penalties, etc: "denied, until further notice, the privileges
	of membership in the Association, including the ability to hold or
	exercise office in the Association, attend or participate in
	Association meetings, hold license(s) as an AHSA or FEI judge,
	compete in international competitions or receive AHSA automatic
	insurance coverages or participate in AHSA group insurance programs.
	...also found not in good standing and are suspended from competing
	or taking any part whatsoever in recognized competitions and are
	excluded from all competition grounds during recognized
	competitions as exhibitors, participants or spectators, and any
	horses, completely or in part owned or leased by them or of their
	stable, are suspended from competing or taking any part whatsoever in
	recognized competitions, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August
	29, 1994 and until further notice."

	In other words, they can't SET FOOT on the grounds of an AHSA
	recognized function, nor can any horse they own. Their AHASA insurance
	polices are lapsed, as well.

	So, what does Lindemann do? He and Hulick took the AHSA to court 
	seeking $100 million in damages and a restraining order from enforcing
	their, and Cellular Farm's, suspensions. The court upheld the
	suspensions, but said horses owned by them could compete pending
	further investigation by the court. So the horses can continue to
	make money for them...[hmph].
	

    
    This was in my local paper last week.....
    
    
    Lindeman and another associate (don't remember it off it) were convicted 
    of insurance fraud in the case of his killing his $250,000 show horse 
    which did not perform up to its expectations for the insurance.
    
    Mary
    

    re -1  Cool!!!!  
    
    I was a little shocked to see Paul Valliere on the list -
    always thought he was one of the few "good ones"...I'd
    like to add a few of my own names to that list; I've
    seen this type of thing first hand and it sickens
    me.
    
    One of my instructors at probably the most well known
    Hunter barn in the country was threatened with
    termination if he did anything to prolong the life
    of a (heavily insured) 3 yr old.   He got so disgusted  
    he quit soon after.  Sobering experience.  I left much 
    sooner than I was planning to and never showed Hunter 
    again.
    
    /b
    

    Excerpts from the AP:
    
    A federal judge sentenced wealthy equestrian George Lindemann Jr. 
    to 33 months in prision for insurance fraud in the electrocution
    of one of his show horses. 
    
    U.S. Circuit Judge George Marovich on Thursday also ordered Lindemann,
    son of the founder of the Cellular One phone company to pay $500,000
    fine and $250,000 restitution to the insurance company.
    
    His horse trainer, Marion Hulick received a 21 month sentence.  The two
    were among 24 people indicted so far in a wide ranging insurance fraud
    scandal involving the horse show circuit.
    
    Under orders from Lindemann, Hulick hired Tommy Burns to kill Charisma
    in December 1990 on the family's farm near Greenwich, Conn after the
    animal had performed poorly on a national horse show circuit
    prosecutors said.  Both were accused of then lying to the insurance
    company about the animal's death.
    
    Prosecutors said Lindemann, whose family lives in Palm Beach, Florida
    should also be punished for his $100 million lawsuit against the
    American Horse Show assoc. which had tried to block him from
    competition.  Marovich said he was more lenient to Hulick because
    she cares for her two disabled children who are in their 40s.
    
    Lindemann and Hulick remained free on bond.  Lindemann, who is
    appealing, is to begin his sentence in 30 days at a location still to
    be determined.  Hulick will begin her sentence in 90 days.