I paid £186k for a horse that is now worth £1,000

By Margaret Canning – 20 December 2007

Two Ulster equestrians are suing a vet for breach of contract over a lame horse.

Jayne Doherty, an event rider who lives in Armagh, yesterday confirmed that a claim form in which she and her husband Jonathan allege breach of contract by senior British Eventing vet Jenny Hall, had been lodged in the High Court in London.

It is understood the claim form, which was issued on 2 November but has not yet been assigned to a judge, details how the couple paid £186,000 for Glen Corran - but the couple allege it is worth £1,000.

The horse was recommended to the couple by another rider, who also suggested that the vet should carry out pre-purchase examinations to ensure the horse was fit for three and four star eventing.

In two checks carried out in October 2003, the vet found the animal was lame due to an "over-reach" and had a heart murmur.

The Dohertys did not go ahead with the purchase - but after another check in February 2004, the vet made a certificate claiming the horse showed no signs of disease, injury or abnormality and stated there was nothing "likely to prejudice this animal's use for eventing".

They paid £186,000 for the animal on March 20, 2004 - and soon afterwards, Mrs Doherty came second in a competition when riding Glen Corran.

However, according to reports, vets diagnosed Glen Corran shortly after his purchase as intermittently or permanently lame on all four legs and not safe or able to compete at the highest level now or in the future.

According to Horse & Hound magazine, the claim form says that Glen Corran has never been able to compete at high level eventing and has needed extensive veterinary treatment.

Mrs Doherty, who is training in England for event riding in the Beijing Olympics next year, said she could not comment on the case.

"I would like the focus to be on my Olympic training," she told the Belfast Telegraph.

Jayne Doherty is ranked at 92 in the world FEI Olympic rankings and 14th in the Irish superleague.

It's believed they could not claim on their horse insurance because of non-disclosure of the history of the horse's problems.

A spokeswoman for the vet in question said she would not comment on the matter.