Sally Etchells, a former director of the Arab Horse Society (AHS, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of fraud at Bolton Crown Court.
The court heard that Etchells, 45, of Church Street, Royton, stole almost £40,000 from her employer, vehicle bodybuilding firm Ken Rosebury, where she was office manager and had worked for 25 years.
The money was used to fund the upkeep of her horses, the court heard.
The court’s crown office confirmed the sentence of two concurrent four-year terms, handed down by Judge Clayson on Tuesday 19 February.
Etchells was due to return to court on 20 May, for further hearing to decide how much of the money would be repaid, a court official told H&H.
A spokeswoman for the AHS said Etchells had been the society’s honorary show director for three years.
“She is no longer show director, or doing anything for the society,” said the spokeswomen, who wished to remain anonymous.
