Would you want to know?

[ayrabz]

Ok...I suppose this could apply to any of the forums here....in a discussion of any organized horse event that requires membership or registration.
However, this particular person (at this time) is active in endurance and trail riding, so I thought to begin here.
In a nutshell: I was a victim of tack theft -- In 2006-someone broke into my parked horse trailer at my then boarding barn. Stole my show tack. Two months later my tack was sold on ebay! turned out, THIS WAS SOMEONE AT MY BOARDING BARN. Who of course, all along, was feining concern for me, what she could do to help, yada yada yada.... Case proceeded. Grand Jury (!!!) INDICTED same person on felony charges. It was to go to trial here on Sept. 4....but as we know often happens, suspect plea bargained and for the guilty plea, instead pled out to two larceny misdemeanors...and is ordered to pay restitution to 4 victims (myself and the 3 buyers on ebay!)
Ok..now we have a convicted, guilty plea and the case is over. My question is this !....When you sign up for an equestrian event, be it an organized trail ride, or endurance ride, or even maintaining 'good standing' in an equestrian organization that you submit dues to.....If you KNEW a fellow participant/member had pled guilty to stealing and reselling another member's tack (!!) would you feel they should be allowed the same priveledges of membership and participation?
Not that I have any (!!) idea of how any of this would be 'policed' for members/participants...but IF a participant/member brought it to manager's attention, would you feel it should have the ability for any action, suspension, refusal of entry, etc?

[jazzrider]

In most areas, the horse world is small and words gets around, so I would think that leadership in the assorted groups would use caution when considering her for roles in their activities. But as far as just registering for events or shows -- unless they have formal rules about folks with a record (also clarifying petty larceny vs. felony actions) there isn't much they can do.

I know this is something that riles you -- you've posted about it before. Sounds like she got her due in the justice system, to the extent possible. It looks like you're working to be sure she gets her due in the horse world too. I just hope not to the point that it's impacting your own happiness. :)

[ayrabz]

hey, jazz...
no not impacting that 1:winkgrin:
And not after anything other than opinions of people's outlooks on their horse events and memberships---its a rare situation, and one that hopefully (!!!) hardly ever comes up. Yet, somehow seems kinda simple to include in membership perameters if the organization wanted to......
I know in one of my own horse associations, some BNTs have been suspended...and I wondered, how posters who were members of associations/etc would feel if a crime (involving their horse experience) was commited and proven incourt against another member...if for their membership fees, priveledges, they would feel that there should be something in place.
No biggee...just an interest in others opinons.

[pines4equines]

I volunteer for a small riding club that has 3 shows a year and 3 play days. We are totally volunteer and if the word did not get around or it wasn't in the papers, I do not know how we could police such a thing. Each show/play day, we have different volunteers who if there was someone may not recognize or know that person.

And, as long as I've been a volunteer, we've never had to police anyone. So far, we are so small that we don't seem to attract a bad element but you never know...

Let's hope you are an isolated incident.

Terrible for you and what a heartless, moralless person that you have to share a barn with. I hope she no longer boards near you and I hope you don't have to see her at events.

[LuvMyNSH]

As another poster said, the horse world is small. Word gets around.

Honestly, I think this idea would never fly. Where's the cut-off? Felony convictions? Horse-related felony convictions only? What about DUIs - don't want a known drunk careening through ridecamp, taking out trucks and trailers left and right either. Sex offenders? Violent crimes? Animal abuse? And do you run a full formal background check on every person entered, to be fair - can you imagine the crap that would hit the fan if rider #1 gets kicked out and rider #2 stays in when he's got a worse record?

It comes down to this - you have no idea who the people around you really are. Be careful who you trust, and keep your stuff secure.

[ayrabz]

LuvmyNHS---never meant it as a discussion of the MANAGEMENT having to police the entries. Meant it as the participants being able to bring something to their attention IF they knew of a conviction, and ONLY horse related...
that was all. Just should (?) there be parameters of suspensions/rejections IF there was a conviction of a crime against another member in an equine association that was horse related. I'd like to think, as horse owners, tack owners, while we are at an event, that IF we've never stolen a horse, or someones tack or trailer, etc....that OUR entry was more important and more protected via someone who has and who is still on probation(!) Just seems to me the priveleges of the participation could be more protected in the separate bylaws.--Just something in place.

that was all...

[Gestalt]

But I think the logistics of it would make it impractical. We were at a show that was about 3 hours from our home. No one at the show warned us about the 2 young ladies that had "sticky" fingers. We lost a couple of show bridles and later learned that people there figured it was those girls, but no one gave us a heads up.

And even worse, I worked with a guy for over a year before I found out he was an ex-con. Convicted of murder and had spent 10 years in prison. That totally pissed me off. There are some things that (in my book) are unforgivable, and murder is one of them.

[carp]

Ayrabz, I think that putting up as many separate posts as you've done on this subject is a little, um, obsessive? As to your actual question, I think there's a difference between registration for an event and membership in an organization. I'd handle the situations differently.

Regarding an event, I expect and accept that crime is a possibility. I do not need to be told that someone at the event is a criminal. It makes me sad that a fellow participant might target me, but even if she stayed home it's possible that some local drug addict might swipe my stuff instead. Or my stuff could be stolen out of my own driveway; it's certainly happened to me before. Crime happens.

Regarding whether an organization should allow a tack thief to be a member, well, that's up to the membership. Clubs can establish any rules they like within legal limits. If the members don't want criminals, they can ban them. If you don't like the membership criteria, you can lobby to get them changed or you can leave the organization. People do both. I personally wouldn't want a tack thief in my club. On the other hand, I wouldn't be having kittens after the fact if the organization had never bothered to include a morals clause in the bylaws in the first place.

[Guilherme]

Horse shows, trail rides, demonstrations, etc. are private events vice "public accomodations" and, within reason, management can set entry rules as they see fit.

If a management said "no entry by persons convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude" they could probably do so. Of course "policing" such a rule can be difficult and if you set a rule then you've either got to enforce it or erase it. An unenforced rule is worse than no rule at all.

If I knew that a convicted thief was in the area at an event I attended I'd double-check my own security, notify my "neighbors," and form a small scale "neighborhood watch." I may or may not notify show management; it would depend on circumstances.

G.

[LuvMyNSH]

LuvmyNHS---never meant it as a discussion of the MANAGEMENT having to police the entries. Meant it as the participants being able to bring something to their attention IF they knew of a conviction, and ONLY horse related...


That would make it worse, I think. The amount of malicious gossip at some shows is already at critical mass, now you're basically asking people to step it up a notch. Suddenly every non-popular person or anyone having a spat is going to have a string of "felony convictions" behind them. And who wants to pick up the cost of vetting out all the claims? "Because so-and-so said so" isn't going to hold up in court when the show gets sued, and background checks aren't cheap.

Having your stuff stolen sucks. Being a vigilante doesn't make it better. Lock up your stuff and move on.

Personally I worry less about the people I know that are thieves than the people I know that have multiple convictions for violent sex crimes. And if you think there aren't any people like that at horse events....:lol:

[chicamuxen1]

arabz,
I hope that you do not continue to "warn" event managers about this particular person. It could be seen as harassment and persecution. You could find yourself in the position of being sued by the very person that you took legal actions against. If this person was a child molester and had signed up as a coach or boy scout leader then I'd have more tendency to agree with you.

Just move on, you've gotten restitution. It's healthier for you to let this go.

Bonnie S.

[ayrabz]

umm, 'moving on' is exactly what I'm doing, really. It was just a discussion, and for the most part, I agree with most all of the posts.

[chicamuxen1]

Good, life's too short as it is.

Bonnie

[Auventera Two]

Ok...I suppose this could apply to any of the forums here....in a discussion of any organized horse event that requires membership or registration.
However, this particular person (at this time) is active in endurance and trail riding, so I thought to begin here.
In a nutshell: I was a victim of tack theft -- In 2006-someone broke into my parked horse trailer at my then boarding barn. Stole my show tack. Two months later my tack was sold on ebay! turned out, THIS WAS SOMEONE AT MY BOARDING BARN. Who of course, all along, was feining concern for me, what she could do to help, yada yada yada.... Case proceeded. Grand Jury (!!!) INDICTED same person on felony charges. It was to go to trial here on Sept. 4....but as we know often happens, suspect plea bargained and for the guilty plea, instead pled out to two larceny misdemeanors...and is ordered to pay restitution to 4 victims (myself and the 3 buyers on ebay!)
Ok..now we have a convicted, guilty plea and the case is over. My question is this !....When you sign up for an equestrian event, be it an organized trail ride, or endurance ride, or even maintaining 'good standing' in an equestrian organization that you submit dues to.....If you KNEW a fellow participant/member had pled guilty to stealing and reselling another member's tack (!!) would you feel they should be allowed the same priveledges of membership and participation?
Not that I have any (!!) idea of how any of this would be 'policed' for members/participants...but IF a participant/member brought it to manager's attention, would you feel it should have the ability for any action, suspension, refusal of entry, etc?

I really think you should just let it go. The offender paid their dues via the justice system. That's why we have it. If you harass this person too much, they might just come back at you for harassment and stalking. There is no way you can expect show/event/club management/officers to alert the membership of every person who has paid or served restitution under the law. The number of crimes a person may have committed are vast and may give clues to how trustworthy (or not!) a person is, but it's not necessarily your duty to point that out for the rest of your life. You'll drive yourself crazy.

I think it's a good idea to mention it to people IF you see this person at an event and your friends are heading out on the trail while leaving a trailer full of tack unlocked. I'd just say - hey, if I were you, I'd lock your horse trailer before you leave camp because blah blah.... But I wouldn't run around talking about it to anybody and everybody that will lend you an ear.

By not letting it go, this crook is still controling you.

[katarine]

You need to let it go.

I act the same everywhere I go to trail ride: I lock the truck and trailer up, and I have insurance. I don't leave purses/cell phones/tempting items in plain view. I take my keys with me and go enjoy the day.

It doesn't matter who I'm riding with, who might swing by from Planet Jupiter while I'm out riding, etc: I've taken reasonable measures to protect my stuff and I just go ride.

let it go.

[ayrabz]

"Planet Jupiter" :D--- guys, I've tried to express that I 'am' 'letting it go' !
This was something that now the judicial proceedure had just been completed, (completed in guilty plea/sentencing, but no restitution paid yet) that I wondered, how others would feel in a GENERAL sense of this same situation for themselves and their events and experiences.
It was nothing more than that, and I have listened to, and appreciated each response. I know now, the opinion is this is a crime that events and memberships should/can not worry about. And reasons were given for it. I thought they had merit to hear, and to discuss.
I'd like to stop the 'train' of thought that is overtaking the original topic with now directing to my own personal reactions. This was meant to discuss if there should or shouldn't be any ramifications in the horse world following a horse crime conviction in general. I think the points brought out here, in feasibility, etc. are GOOD ones.
I know what I personally will do from now on...that truly wasn't my reason for this discussion. I will choose to avoid any event this person attends, and I will not hold any event responsible for policing anything. I will just vacate. Thats my personal choice based on my personal experience.
I have always locked my trailer, and it was locked then too.

[katarine]

well if you choose to share every tiny little nuance of your story, yet again...I've read it MANY times....then 'we' are going to say Jeez lady let it rest. I know it sucked/threw you/messed with your head.

BUT-

it's 2 flippin' years old. Ancient history. Stop dragging it out for the world to gnaw on,then get ill when we do so.

and thank you very much..BUT...I think we collectively said it'd be too easy to get gossip, drama, BS, divorce crap, etc etc etc tangled in some stupid web of she said/she said/then HE said/... and frankly stuff gets stolen all the time 24/7 everywhere. Your story is a good warning...but it's not headline material.

If you will stop telling your story, we'll stop talking about it. Pretty simple ;)

[jazzrider]

K -- Have you had your coffee yet? ;) :lol:

[katarine]

Yes but I'm colicking from hunger! That must be my crank-osity source this morning ;)

[jazzrider]

Either that, or because it's Monday. Wait, no, it's Tuesday. But it feels like Monday. :no: Go get lunch before you colic, and be sure to lock your desk and car up tight. ;)

[Jennifer Alcott]

The following is public information:

http://wasdmz2.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/MainMenu.do

Case numbers CR08000346-00 and CR08000529-00


And:

http://secure.arabianhorses.org/perl/AHA/committeedirectory.cgi?func=submit&c_num=262

For those of you who told Ayrabz to "keep your stuff secure" and "lock up your stuff", apparently you missed the part of the story that discussed the fact that the four items that were stolen WERE locked in her trailer.

If you're going to ping on her for repeating her story, then you might want to consider reading for comprehension first; since you've apparently read all of the details before.

The charge that was related to breaking in the trailer was "nol prossed". Gee--maybe it was "nol prossed" partially in exchange for the guilty plea on the other account(s)? Maybe...just a thought.

************************
I will state this very carefully to avoid accusations of libel:

There have been many tack thefts in Virginia. There is a common thread to at least several of them.

People are creatures of habit and develop patterns.

Ayrabz is rather persistent (some might say "obsessive"), but it is ONLY due to her persistence that the person who stole her tack finally pled guilty to the charges that she did end up pleading guilty to.

There is much more to this story than she has posted, due to the fact that we live in a world rife with lawsuits.
*********************

Actually, truth be told, Ayrabz has been FAR more patient in this situation than I would have been. I wish I could share all of the details about situations where she has been patient where I would have blown a gasket. There are a number of people on COTH who know me personally, and quite well--they can tell you that I'm normally a fairly reasonable person (a bit whacko, perhaps, but fairly level-headed). :D It takes a LOT to make me REALLY MAD. But this situation has made me REALLY MAD over the last two years.

If you participate in AHA-sanctioned distance rides, and if you live in VA, MD, PA, WV, or DE, you should know that you are being represented at the national level on the Distance Committee by someone who has pled guilty to stealing tack.

(Disclosure: In addition to being friends with Ayrabz for years, one of the items that this individual pled guilty to stealing was a personally-customized silver western headstall that my purebred Arabian gelding wore in 1988 when he was named Region 15 Reserve Champion in the Arabian Trail Horse class at the Regional Championships. Twenty years later, I still cherish the photos of "Donnie" wearing that bridle and winning that title. At the Region 15 pre-show the next year, he was 3rd out of 22 horses in that class; and if I recall correctly, he barely missed Top 5 in the Region 15 Championship class. But in a 3-judge panel in that class, he was *second* on Don Burt's card--something that I am still proud of to this day. If you know anything about the western show ring in a number of breeds and disciplines, you know who Don Burt is. Anyway, my point is that a number of years ago, I sold "Donnie's" bridle to Ayrabz because she was the first person to whom I could bear to sell it. It was stolen out of her LOCKED trailer along with three other items.)

[pandorasboxx]

Hi Jennifer-which county court did this take place? I don't think I'm getting the correct cases.

[Jennifer Alcott]

Pandorasboxx:

It was Stafford County, Virginia.

[CanterQueen]

Wow. VERY interesting and somewhat disturbing. And the perp is STILL on the Distance Riding Committee?? :no:

You might think Ayrabz is obsessed, but I'd be emailing everyone on the committee list with the court docs. :yes::eek::yes:

[jazzrider]

For those of you who told Ayrabz to "keep your stuff secure" and "lock up your stuff", apparently you missed the part of the story that discussed the fact that the four items that were stolen WERE locked in her trailer.

If you're going to ping on her for repeating her story, then you might want to consider reading for comprehension first; since you've apparently read all of the details before.

The charge that was related to breaking in the trailer was "nol prossed". Gee--maybe it was "nol prossed" partially in exchange for the guilty plea on the other account(s)? Maybe...just a thought.

You seem rather snarky about this thread, but I'll remind you that Ayrabz herself claimed that this was a general topic, and folks gave their opinions and many thought, for Ayrabz benefit, that she should try to put it behind her because there were limitations to what could be done by event management. I'm not sure what it is you want us to do. We're well aware of the situation, having seen it posted multiple times, and I'm sure those that do distance rides are taking precautions that they can and will note their offense to the thief's participation in management if they choose. And clearly you guys are not letting it be forgotton. So I'm asking (and truly not being snarky), what exactly is it you want the rest of us to do?

umm, 'moving on' is exactly what I'm doing, really. It was just a discussion, and for the most part, I agree with most all of the posts.

"Planet Jupiter" :D--- guys, I've tried to express that I 'am' 'letting it go' ! This was something that now the judicial proceedure had just been completed, (completed in guilty plea/sentencing, but no restitution paid yet) that I wondered, how others would feel in a GENERAL sense of this same situation for themselves and their events and experiences. It was nothing more than that, and I have listened to, and appreciated each response. I know now, the opinion is this is a crime that events and memberships should/can not worry about. And reasons were given for it. I thought they had merit to hear, and to discuss.

[Jennifer Alcott]

Jazzrider:

I think that "snarky" could apply to lots of us. :)

You asked, "...what exactly is it you want the rest of us to do?"

Speaking for myself only, my response to your question is "nothing". I don't want anyone to do anything--my primary intent was to point people who may come into contact with this person in the direction of public information so that they can make informed decisions. The decisions that individuals make based on this information are their own business, NOT mine.

I am convinced that the theft of Ayrabz' tack was facilitated by a lack of communication in the horse community in Virginia. But with public information now available, perhaps one less person will have their tack stolen from a secured, locked trailer--either at their own boarding barn, or in a public place.

I will reiterate--my purpose for posting was not to spur anyone to action. It was merely to provide information. Take it or leave it...no one is forcing you to read this thread, respond to it, follow the links provided; and I am not asking you to DO anything.

[CatOnLap]

Well, I would want to know about this person, but then, if I lived in your area, I probably would already. Horse community gossip and all that.

Up here in Canada, we have a new law that says that anyone volunteering with an organization that works with children has to have a clean criminal record check. A CRC is only available through local police, who have begun to charge $50-100 for the service as the new law has caused a considerable increase in paperwork.

The law is aimed at preventing violent and sex offending criminals from having access to kids. Since a CRC only shows up convictions, presumably, these folks have all "paid their dues" for their crimes. Yet who wants a convicted sex offender as a ringmaster at their local kiddies hunter show?

Anyway, the upshot is that most of our local horse clubs are ignoring the law, since it would require ALL of the adult members to shell out the $100 for an annual CRC as it is a requirement for all members who compete, to volunteer at shows. (which always include children). If the government attempts to enforce it, it will lead to some big changes in club structure, the easiest of which will be to ban members under 18, which no-one really wants to do.
The only horse club which I know is complying with the law is the riding for the disabled club, which has found its voilunteers to be practically non-existent since the volunteers do not want to pay the required $100 out of their own pocket, and with the needed 30-40 volunteers, would be prohibitive for the club to fund every year. That money currently pays for the maintenance of 3 of their schoolhorses.

Frankly, I find this kind of information dissemination, also termed "Gossip" the most efficient way of spreading the news about such people. Putting it in a newsletter or otherwise formalizing the info, might lead to unforeseen consequences such as harrassment or libel charges against the person publishing the info.

[pandorasboxx]

I appreciate the information Jennifer and Ayrabz--I've never felt the least bit concerned about theft at any of the rides I've attended and it is discouraging to think that a fellow distance rider would do this. I just don't hear of thievery happening with any frequency though I'm sure it may have occurred before. And even more discouraging is the position the culprit continues to occupy.

I've made sure to link anyone I ride with to the case. Surely it is not libel if it is public record!

[CatOnLap]

while truth is the best defence against a libel suit, some nasty people will file a suit even if they have no case, and the defendant is forced to spend time and money answering the suit. You can always file a nuisance countersuit for harrassment, but it all takes time and money.

I'd rather sit on the hay bales and discuss the neighbours...

[carp]

Jennifer, take a deep breath. Then read for comprehension as you suggested. ;) First, Ayrabz had started this same discussion in multiple COTH forums that week. Yes, that's obsessive; it's also bad internet manners. It's terribly unfortunate that she was a victim of this crime, and it's even worse that the criminal is someone she knew and trusted. However, being a crime victim does not give someone a free pass to abandon socially appropriate behavior. Second, she had asked a question, and she got answers. That's the nature of questions; sometimes you get answers you don't like. Under the assumption that she actually wanted a reality check and not just a vendetta, here's another attempt to provide an answer to the questions she asked (and perhaps a few she didn't but should have.)

It sounds like at least four different groups of people might have an interest in the crime, and in my opinion the responsibities of each are different. Those groups are: local law enforcement, the barn management where the crime happened, the event organizers where the criminal might appear, and the membership of any club the criminal participates in. Since you mentioned "reading for comprehension," she set the parameters of her discussion as "any organized horse event that requires membership or registration." Membership and registration are two quite different things, so she's asking two different questions. She should not be surprised when she gets two different answers.

From her description, local law enforcement has acted and has meted out punishment. Whether or not she and the rest of us agree that the punishment was appropriate is a different story, but that's life. The inconsistencies of the criminal justice system are old news. It's wrong, but it's a much bigger problem than just our little horsie corner of the world.

Regarding the barn, I didn't notice whether or not she'd mentioned whether the barn management had taken any action against the perp. I'd be royally P.O.'ed at my barn manager if the criminal hadn't been evicted, and there's a good chance I'd leave the barn if the barn management failed to take action. I'd also expect a polite notification to go around to the boarders, something like, "We are aware that some tack thefts have occurred on this property. The person we believe to be responsible has been reported to the authorities and has been banned from the property. As always, please report suspicious behavior and feel free to discuss any concerns with us." In short, I'd want and expect the barn management to kick the perp to the curb and then clamp down on ill-founded rumors.

Event organizers have the responsibility to maintain reasonable security at an event. For instance, I think it's reasonable that they'd delegate a person or two to keep an eye on the parking lot and investigate the noises if, for example, someone were taking a chisel to the door of a locked trailer. It might even be reasonable that the event organizers request that all rig drivers pre-register, and that they check the ID of anyone removing a rig from the grounds. I've never encountered that level of security at any horse event I've attended, but I've certainly encountered it at trade shows. I don't think it's reasonable that event organizers provide a sealed perimeter and run background checks on every person who comes onto the grounds. Most events simply don't have the Olympic budget needed to provide Olympic level security. I accept that crime is a possibility and take reasonable precautions to prevent it, such as locking my vehicle. In short, I do not expect event organizers to inform me that criminals are in our midst; I already take that for granted. Nor do I expect event organizers to take anything beyond basic measures to protect me from criminals.

As for the club/organization management and membership, yes, if I were a member I'd want the club to have a morals clause requiring that ill-behaved members be ejected. USEF banned Barney Ward and Paul Valliere for actions the membership considers repugnant. Hooray for USEF. However, I also accept that some organizations do not agree with my opinions on acceptable behavior. For example, I've long disagreed with APHA's stance on HYPP and a variety of other issues. Guess what? I voted with my feet. Despite the fact that my Quarter Horse is Incentive Fund registered, I haven't paid to get his papers transferred to my name, nor do I intend to show him at any AQHA events. AQHA ticked me off, so I took my toys and went home. However, I'm not going around telling the rest of the world to drop out of AQHA too. I'm definitely not going to go off on a bunch of Arab owners about the failings of AQHA. They've no reason to care, and it would be ill mannered to bore them with another organization's internal squabbles. In short, I expect organizations to require a certain level of moral behavior from their members, but I accept the fact that people might disagree or simply find the problem irrelevant to their interests. That's life; get over it.

[ayrabz]

Hey, Carp.
I agree that taking a deep breath is a great idea. I hope you can do the same!:)

First: I did not start the same discussion in ‘multiple’ forums. I posted this situation in TWO forums. One, here, because the guilty perpetrator has now begun a discipline in endurance and distance riding (which usually changed with each barn she would vacate ….a new discipline and new fellow horse people…hmmm wonder WHY?) I also came here, because at the endurance/distance events, everyone for the most part, camps, and has everything (!!) of need in their trailers at those locations.
Anyway. Yes, I posted here for that purpose, and also posted in the ‘Off Course’ forum, explaining that it was indeed a cross post, because I felt it was a discussion that would pertain to any horse person who attended events and was a member of any horse associations.
I purposely did so…just as many others do, (for instance, just this week someone has posted here, as well as another board the same topic (Bears on trails) in order to gain input from foxhunters.) I perfectly understood that and do not find it”bad internet manners” as you do, nor at all “abandoning socially appropriate behavior”.

Second: Yes, I indeed asked a question, and indeed got answers. I appreciated each response that was not ‘snarky’ but their opinions, and always thanked them for it, regardless of if I agreed or not. (If you really are a follower of reading for comprehension, check up on that) I didn’t really get any answers I “didn’t like” as you put it. I thought each had merit, and I listened. I indicated that already.

“Four different Groups of people that might have interest in the crime”…yes, each involvement is different. But I think you leave out a huge, and most impacting group: HORSE PEOPLE. Outside of event management, law enforcement, organization management and the immediate barn. This topic was brought here as all others are….to share with other HORSE PEOPLE. Any horse person can understand and share their thoughts on this in regards to the sub topics you brought up. That’s why there are horse boards. That’s why I came here.

Law enforcement acting: you have no idea how low on the totem pole tack theft is in the eyes of law enforcement. You have no idea how hard of a struggle this was to get anyone (!) to do their jobs in regards to the law. Go thru it. Live it, and hope and work for justice. You will be amazed.

Regarding the barn (as you put it): Barn management at this particular barn was wonderful. They did indeed ask (tell) the perpetrator to leave once the investigation started in earnest. I had already left….(leaving behind a full month’s paid board) in order to protect my daughter and my horse.
Were there rumours? You bet. I was told by two different boarders who had come to this barn from TWO DIFFERENT COUNTIES many rumours of tack theft concerning a boarder when my things were stolen.
I would not listen. I knew it was gossip at that point, and even when the deputy taking the police report repeatedly asked me if I suspected anyone….I would NOT name anyone based on rumour. I remained there…and ONLY re approached the local authorities once I found my actual items sold on eBay.
I shared that information, and from that information only did the investigation go forward with that proof.

Event organizers: I have never indicated in my interest in discussing this that I expect or would expect an event organizer to know of each participant’s criminal record. What I did bring up..was only the unique situation of if you would be a participant and be able to produce documentation of a guilty plea….if you felt they should or shouldn’t deny that particular person’s registration, etc. It was a question I had at this point in my horse experience and I brought it here to hear others’ input. That’s what we all do.

Club/organizations: Sorry, but I am steadfast here. I pay dues to a particular association. If affords me privileges. This same person is not only a fellow member, but holds a NATIONAL COMMITTEE involvement. I do, indeed feel that is wrong. And, I have, indeed, done as you mentioned “ taken my toys and gone home”. I let my membership lapse at this time…as I am unhappy that this could not be addressed by their bylaws. But, at the same time, I respected their kind communications to me, and know they were attentive to the situation to the best of their ability. Therefore, it became a personal decision, and I acted upon it.

Jennifer, obviously, had her own reasons for posting here, as not only is she close to the actual situation, but she also has much insight into the background, and tack theft situations here in Virginia in varied counties in the past.