Thieves steal £20,000 of show tack from Jo Bates’ yard

Tack thieves struck in Oxfordshire this week, stealing around £20,000-worth of tack from a yard shared by showing rider Jo Bates and event rider Pip Taylor.

The break-in happened overnight near Banbury on Tuesday (11 November).

Among the haul were two black Albion dressage saddles, a Jaguar gold buffalo leather jumping saddle, a Sattlerei straight cut saddle and a Berney Dublin show jumper saddle. Many other items, including show and double bridles and a number of reins and girths were stolen, too.

“They forced the lock on the tack room which is in an internal barn,” Jo told H&H. “We have security lights, but they must have been watching the place because they parked in an area which isn’t covered by lights.”

The break-in was discovered at 6.10am by yard staff on Wednesday morning (12 November). Although none of the tack is postcoded, Jo told H&H most of it is highly distinguishable.

Thieves also took tack belonging to owners and liveries, a quad bike and a trials bike and trailer.

If anyone has any information, please call Thames Valley Police on 0845 312784.

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