Rick Silvia gossip in Sidelines? Anyone got details?

[RogersChapelFarm]

Just saw this on Sidelines website-what happened?

Wellie-world's most wanted? We got about a dozen e-mails and links to the Palm Beach County docket with the news that Rick Silvia was arrested in Wellington Florida on five felony counts including larceny under $100,000, fraud impersonation to obtain property or sell property, possession of counterfeit title or bill of sale, dealing in stolen Property and forgery or alteration of a Public record. Oh, my, oh my.

[slc2]

that's not enough detail? :lol::lol::lol:

[Funckyfilly]

I got the impression from a previous sideline that it was a "family matter".

[CTM]

There was a bit in the Chronicle a week or two ago - I recall it was a dispute over a horse trailer his father owned.

[pintofoal]

Here's what I know and they are the facts;

All charges against Rick Silvia have been DROPPED by the State Attorney's office, as they were without merit! The charges were brought against Rick Silvia by his father, in connection to a used horse trailer sale, that took place over two years ago. This was all an attempt by his father to scare him. A certain Wellington Realtor decided to become deeply involved in this family dispute and changed many of the facts, in her rumor spreading. In addition to Rick standing up against ex torsion and not allowing fictitious accusations to ruin his Championship at Devon, Rick has taken the high road and has said very little about this matter. There is a silver lining, Rick's stallions are currently training and competing in Europe. Lullaby has already placed there in the Open Intermediate divisions and Starlight will be showing Grand Prix this spring! The article in the Chronicle weeks ago outlined this whole situation, including an explanation as to why there was an armed body guard with Starlight at Dressage at Devon etc. I am a friend of Rick's and have known both him and his family since they lived in Middleburg, VA

[Mozart]

Well, as someone who has already booked and paid for a breeding to Starlight for '09...I had a heartstopping moment reading the title of this thread! :eek:

Family legal disputes can get very messy, hopefully things sort themselves out sooner rather than later.

Pintofoal..do you know if Starlight plans to compete in Europe this spring? I am hoping he plans to be back on N.American soil come breeding season.....

[egontoast]

yeah, sadly many people after reading this stuff will only remember that they read something bad about him, wasn't he charged with something?, better not deal with him. Very damaging.

slc2 said

that's not enough detail?

Obviously not. Don't believe every headline you read, slc.

it would be nice if the OP changed the title of the thread at least.

[RogersChapelFarm]

OK so I changed the title-that's why I am asking because without the details the story sounds bad and that is all I would have known had I not asked. I know there is usually another side to the story. I don't get the Chronicle so I didn't see the story. I am a breeder and was interested in any business dealings since I have been interested in the horses. I knew I would find out more here and I only quoted exactly what was on Sidelines site. And by the way he was arrested and that was what I originally stated. Sad but still true even if cleared now it has been put to press already.

[egontoast]

well I think it's nice that you changed the title because some people will only read that.:)

[SGray]

OK so I changed the title-that's why I am asking because without the details the story sounds bad and that is all I would have known had I not asked. I know there is usually another side to the story. I don't get the Chronicle so I didn't see the story. I am a breeder and was interested in any business dealings since I have been interested in the horses. I knew I would find out more here and I only quoted exactly what was on Sidelines site. And by the way he was arrested and that was what I originally stated. Sad but still true even if cleared now it has been put to press already.

well shame on Sidelines for not getting the whole story - I certainly hope they highlight a revision in the next issue

and good on you for getting the facts before forming an opinion

[ise@ssl]

Well one thing for sure - Rumor travels faster than Fact.

[slc2]

WITH the details it sounds much worse. With the details it sounds pretty bad.

Just another example of journalism one can't rely on.

[Kingland Farm]

Egontoast:
You are so right . . . well said!!!
I, like Pintofoal, live in northern VA. I've known and been close friends with Rick for approx 10 years and know all details surrounding this unfortunate public humiliation. The bottom line is that Rick's father is the backbone to this story and once evidence was turned over, the state felt that his father had NO MERIT. The fact that the story is still being told is crazy, especially for a well-read magazine such as Sidelines. I'd like to also add that I spoke to Rick's mother immediately after Rick's arrest and she had no idea what his father had or was planning to do. . . nor was she happy about it.:( I am writing this information first-hand and know it to be 100% true. I am no longer concerned about Rick and his welfare . . . he has proven himself time and time again. Like they say, "if you're being talked about, you're one step ahead of them." :)

[STF]

Only believe HALF of what you read, IF ANY of what you read.
Remember, most people suck and thrive on stupid rumors and demise of others.

Someone please change the title. Rick does not deserve that!

[STF]

I got the impression from a previous sideline that it was a "family matter".


And that is always the "BEST" kind.
:lol:
Family members in fights are worthless.
As the saying goes, you can pick your friends, but not your family.

[Happy Feet]

also remember it was in the Gossip column in sidleines - very far from a "story" or an article. Just gossip.

[egontoast]

WITH the details it sounds much worse. With the details it sounds pretty bad.



WHAT? :confused:

With the additional details added by pintofoal and kingland you learn that the matter is not as it sounded in the OP, that it was a (resolved) family dispute over a horse trailer from two years ago and, most importantly, that all charges were DROPPED .

Again, not serious and not newsworthy two years later because ALL THE CHARGES were DROPPED.

Get it yet, slc?

[slc2]

The details i refer to are in the gossip, not the clarification people gave later.

Having no contact with Rick Silvia and not 'knowing him personally', and for most people, seeing only the gossip and not any other information, most people will probably have no idea the 'gossip' column is a bunch of baloney. MOST people have had problems of one kind or another, most people have some mistakes or mis-speaks in their history, and MOST people can be made out to look like an *** if one simply keeps trying hard enough; that's what most of the gossipers forget, they could just as well be targeted as anyone else.

Just more bad equestrian journalism, and so at home on the internet, where doctoral studies are done of what the effects of misinformation are. And I think it's deliberate, actually. Some weak-*** attempt to write something people want to read and giggle over, regardless of whether it's true or not. It doesn't matter if it's a 'gossip' column or blog or article, that doesn't excuse them from responsibility for what they say, any more than it excuses people gossiping anywhere else. If that information is all people happen to read, that's all the information they have, and it's not a balanced view. Such columns are just moving a great equestrian tradition to print. Pretty low. Even lower, that people like it and read it.

[Dune]

Well, I don't know the man or what's going on...drama, drama. :no: But...on a positive note, I have a friend that bred her GP mare to Starlight and got a lovely colt this year that was tops at his inspection. So Rick's stallions are making some lovely foals.:yes: She also said that he was easy to work with.

[dalpal]

I've never met Rick...but know people who do. OMG, the Rick stories they have told have had me howling in laughter in the barn aisle. Rick is definitely one of those who would be the entertainment at dinner. :lol:

[Mardi]

There is a silver lining, Rick's stallions are currently training and competing in Europe. Lullaby has already placed there in the Open Intermediate divisions and Starlight will be showing Grand Prix this spring!

Confused....

I thought Starlight was a young stallion ? But it says he'll show Grand Prix ?

How old is he ? I must have him mixed up with another

[Surviving the Dramas]

Confused....

I thought Starlight was a young stallion ? But it says he'll show Grand Prix ?

How old is he ? I must have him mixed up with another

It says on his website that both Lullaby and Starlight are 8. Starlight looks really nice.

Gotta say, there's more than one kind of eye candy on that website!!!:eek:
:D:cool:

[slc2]

It's not uncommon for more experienced trainers to have horses ready to show at GP at 8. Some of the extremely experienced trainers like Reiner Klimke had their horses doing all the GP work at 7 or 7 1/2, like Ahlerich did. If they are experienced they can do that without leaving holes in the training and without stressing the horse. There are also people that can't do that.