- 9 -
of those risks until Moonshadow became lame sometime during 1990,
approximately 18 months after petitioner had acquired it.
Petitioner had physical examinations, x-rays, and blood work
performed on Moonshadow. However, the cause of Moonshadow's
lameness was not determined. Although petitioner provided
Moonshadow with bed rest and took certain measures to alleviate
the horse's pain, he was unable to rehabilitate it. Around 1995,
petitioner donated Moonshadow to the Virginia Polytechnic Insti-
tute (VPI).
Although petitioner became aware of the risks associated
with owning a gelding after his experience with Moonshadow during
1990, he nonetheless decided to purchase another gelding because
geldings were considered to be the most valuable show horses.
Consequently, sometime during 1990, after Moonshadow became lame,
petitioner purchased for approximately $8,000 another gelding, a
five-year old named Gator (Gator) that already had had some
minimal training. Sometime during or after the spring of 1994,
petitioner retained the services of a horse trainer who worked
with Gator on suppling exercises on the flat, lead changes, and
consistency in the show ring. At unspecified times after the
purchase of Gator, petitioner entered it in certain horse shows
not for the nominal prize money, but for the recognition that it
might gain that would make it attractive to potential buyers.
Gator, however, exhibited certain difficulties that will prevent
it from ever becoming a show horse of great value.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011