Thousands of pounds worth of tack stolen from well-known stud
Thousands of pounds worth of tack has been stolen from a well-known stud in Wiltshire.
Saddles, bridles, bits, girths and breastplates were taken from Landford Common Stud, near Salisbury, overnight on 5-6 July.
The stud is run by Kirsty Johnston and her father, John, and is home to Opposition stallions and progeny.
Five saddles — two Devoucoux single-flap 17.5in cross-country saddles, a black Devoucoux dressage saddle, a brown 17in Devoucoux dressage saddle and a 17.5in Pessoa saddle — were among the items stolen.
The thieves also took Pessoa training aids, 20 sets of reins, Kate Negus, Butet and Devoucoux stud girths, bridles, stirrups and a distinctive new Devocoux breast girth.
Some of the tack stolen – including a double bridle – belonged to Kirsty’s late mother Debbie.
The stud was founded when Debbie bought stallion Fleetwater Opposition in the 1980s. The horse went on to sire Opposition Buzz, Nicola Wilson’s London 2012 silver medal-winner.
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Wiltshire Police confirmed they are investigating a burglary that took place between 7pm on 5 July and 7.30am on 6 July.
A spokeswoman told H&H: “Offenders forced entry into a storeroom and gained entry into tack rooms.
“They stole saddles, bridles and other tack estimated to be worth several thousands of pounds.”
She added they would like to hear from anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in the area at the time.
Sussex Police are also appealing for witnesses after a stables in Ewhurst Green, near Northiam, was burgled.
Between 6.30pm on 4 July and 12.30pm on 5 July, thieves took two horse-drawn jog carts from a property in Lordine Lane.
One was a white two-seated cart made of metal with a seat rail and grey padded seats, and the other was red with a new metal footplate and grey padded seats with no seating rail.
Police do not know how the burglars stole the carts.
Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information on either of the burglaries.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.