Brian Hennessy

DUNSANY Stables in Roestown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath has suffered its second break in within a month, with the latest robbery, which happened last Sunday night, leaving the owners devastated as every piece of tack in the yard was stolen.

Just three weeks ago, owner of Dansany Stables, Carol Benson, had her own horsebox stolen along with some tack. Despite investing over €1,000 in security equipment since that robbery, Dunsany were the victims of a second break in last Sunday night where all tack belonging to the owners and their livery clients was stolen along with a second horsebox.

“I locked up the yard at 8pm on Sunday night, when I came to open up at 9am on Monday morning everything was gone,” Carol Benson, told The Irish Field.

“We had three separate gates which all had chains and locks and we also had a bollard installed since the last break in. They must have cut the locks and took them with them, they even took the bollard.

“They took over 25 complete sets of tack. It has taken us 25 years to gather this all together. Everything is gone, saddles, bridles, rugs, head collars, they even took lead ropes and bandages. We haven’t even a hoof pick left.

“We were broken into only three weeks ago and my own horsebox was taken. This time they took a mare and foal box belonging to one of our livery clients. They tried to steal the mini loader that we have for clearing out the stables but it looks like it couldn’t fit in the horsebox.

DEVASTATED

“We are all devastated, some of the kids here with ponies would have saved for months or their parents got credit union loans to buy tack and now it’s all gone.

“Some of the saddles and tack belonged to my son Danny Benson who is an apprentice jockey. He would have had his name on all his tack so I would ask people to be vigilant if they are offered any tack for sale. Someone must know something. These people have to sell on this tack somewhere.

“My horsebox was a purple/blue Ifor Williams double box and one unusual feature is that the small window at the front is missing. There were also a number of Stubben saddles among those stolen.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dunshaughlin Gardai on 01 8258600, or the Garda confidential line on1800 666111

Meanwhile it was reported this week that more than 70 Selleria Equipe saddles were stolen on the final day of the five-star World Cup show at Verona in Italy. The saddles disappeared from Selleria Equipe’s stand along with several bridles and boots. The Italian saddlery have warned future purchasers to only buy from official distributors.