Legal row over ‘dud’ €14,400 pony resolved

A judge has congratulated all sides in resolving a legal row over an alleged “dud” €14,400 pony.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, the case concerning the dispute over Knockblack Prince was due to recommence.

Last April, a Cork-based financial consultant, Patrick Rea, told the court the pony he was told that would take his daughter, Jennifer, to compete in the RDS, instead nearly killed her and is dangerous.

Aged 12, Jennifer Rea is a National Champion in Show Ponies and Mr Rea was giving evidence as part of his action suing three individuals for damages and refund of the €14,400 he paid for Knockblack Prince in Oct 2008.

In the case last April, Judge Gerald Keyes only heard evidence from Mr Rea who remained in the witness box all day and the case was adjourned until yesterday.

However, counsel for one of the three, Frank Glynn, of Newtown Stud, Newtown, Ballindine, Co Mayo, Lorcan Connolly BL, told the judge: “The horse case has been resolved”.

Counsel for the second of the three, Linda Gallagher of Ballymorris, Cratloe, Co Clare, Pat Whyms BL, said the case “can be struck out with no order made”.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Judge Keyes said: “I am glad to hear that the case has been settled. Well done to all parties.”

In evidence last April, Mr Rea of Cooleen, Charleville, Co Cork, said that in Nov 2008, when Jennifer rode the horse at an event in Killarney, Knockblack Prince refused a number of fences before throwing Jennifer into one of the fences.

“The pony went off his head in the ring. He bucked Jennifer into the fence and from that day on, that was his behaviour,” he said.

“Jennifer persisted as best she could, but he threw her 10 times. Jennifer became very, very afraid of the pony.”

Mr Rea said that Jennifer “is the current National and Reserve Champion in Show Ponies. That is the first time this has ever been achieved in the country”.

Mr Rea told the court “the pony nearly killed Jennifer. The pony is dangerous”.

Mr Rea said he contacted John McMahon in Apr 2009 and told him “you’ve sold me a dud” and the response was “I can sell ponies but I can’t sell jockeys”.