The last week the dressage world has been shocked with the disappearance of Grand Prix horse Zygrande le Coupied. But rider Ceylan Avinal had responded to the allegations saying she owns the horse. Avinal states the bought the horse in 2010 when she started to train him and since then has educated the horse up till Grand Prix Level. She also claims that Theo Verboort, who no claims the horse was stolen, is having money problems. In 2015 he already was unsuccessful in claiming back the horse to be able to pay his creditors. Since then the two have been fighting in court over the ownership of the horse. There Ceylan failed to show proof of her buying the horse and on the 31st of August this year court verdict states she has to return the horse within 14 days. But the fight will continue as Mr. Wensing who is Avinals representing lawyer has said the following about the cause: “No crime has been committed as the term set in court to return the horse has not passed. Secondly the costs made to keep, train and compete with the horse have been fulfilled by the mother of my client. If Mr. Verboort claims to be the true owner of the horse he should also pay these costs that amount to €144.000 euro. In addition my client has trained the horse up to the highest level and we will also be in pursuit to have this effort rewarded in an upcoming case.”
