‘Stolen’ horses must be returned to Belgium

A judge has ordered that three horses stolen in Belgium must be returned to their original owners by a Derbyshire woman, who claims she acquired them in good faith from a dealer.

London’s High Court ruled on 16 June that Joan Whetter, 70, of Draycott-in-the-Clay, must return Mouche, Caretanne and Liago to Belgians Joelle Triplot and Mercedes Destine.

At one point in the long-running wrangle, showjumper Laura Newman, who rides for Mrs Whetter, was accused of stealing the horses and four others (news, 27 August 2009). All charges against Miss Newman were later dropped.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound

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