May 2023 Equine Times

Make a positive impact in the life of a boy from Gaylord fighting a rare form of cancer

Vicki Reinhardt

The 61st Pony Express Ride is being co-hosted this year by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Posse and the Otsego County Mounted Division and being sponsored by the Michigan Sheriff’s Mounted Association. It is being held at the Osceola Posse Grounds at 21940 6 Mile Road in Reed City, Michigan 49677.

The Pony Express Ride has been held annually since 1962. Since it began, hundreds of officers have carried thousands of Pony Express Letters along designated routes across Michigan just as years ago brave riders carried the mail across the west. This event is held on the second Saturday in June, proclaimed by the governor as Pony Express Day.

Mounted Police Officers are getting ready to saddle up and head over to Reed City for this

year’s Pony Express Ride. The Michigan Sheriff’s Mounted Association sponsors this annual event. Each year it is hosted by a Michigan county and officers from across the state bring their horses to participate. The State Association is currently made up of 11 Michigan counties and approximately 175 members. It is open to all Michigan counties to join.

Each year the State Association chooses a recipient to raise money for, usually to help with medical expenses. This year’s recipient is a 14-year-old boy from Gaylord. He is fighting a rare form of cancer.

We raise money by selling Pony Express letters. We have special commemorative stationery and envelopes for people to write their own letters to friends, family or anyone then give the letters back to us with a small dona-

Sara DeHaan Photography

tion. The letters then become part of the annual event. They are then carried by a horse and rider along a route and handed off to another horse and rider until they reach the end of the route. After the mail carry, the letters are hand cancelled with a commemorative stamp. Afterwards they continue on their way through the U.S. Postal Service.

We raise money throughout the weekend with silent auctions and bag raffles with items donated by local merchants as well as private citizens. Craft items, merchandise, gift cards, services and more items are available. All donations are welcome. 100% of the money raised goes to this year’s recipient.

The mail carry will be held on June 10 starting at 7 a.m. following routes across Osceola County. At 1 p.m. there will be an all horse parade through the town of Reed City. The recipient and his family will also be included in the parade riding in a horse drawn vehicle. It is impressive to see so many horses and officers in uniforms and parade gear riding through town!

Following the parade there will be a speed

horseshow at the posse grounds where riders compete in friendly competition against other officers and counties.

Everyone is welcome to come watch the parade and horseshow. Come meet the police officers and see all their horses. There is no charge and we hope you’ll come and see us!

Pony Express letters can be written until the first week of June. If you would like to send a letter, please contact Vicki Reinhardt at 231-833-0123 or Nadia Kidder at 989-8580935. We can get it to you or put you in touch with someone closer to you. They can also be written at the Osceola Posse grounds on June 7, 8 and 9. Just ask anybody camped there. If you would like to donate something you made or merchandise for our auctions to help with medical expenses, please give us a call and we will arrange a pickup.

Plan to come and spend the day with us, meet the officers and their horses, send a letter by Pony Express, and cheer for your favorite horse in the horseshow.

Hope to see you there!

Sara DeHaan Photography

Michigan Fox Trotter Association

Michigan Fox Trotter Association

Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association

Hello December! Time is sure flying!!

Marilyn Mannino

is nothing like the expectation of a well-bred foal!

Marilyn Mannino

Hello April! Spring is upon us! People are out Fox Trotting and enjoying the weather. Many are accumulating points in the Versatility Challenges that we are offering.

At our November meeting we elected some new officers for 2021. Congratulations go out to Bob Howell elected as the new MFTA President, Kathy Kruch is now VP, Marilyn is still Secretary/Treasurer, Char Ostrom is the new 2-year Director and Miranda Mannino is now the 1-year Director.

Whew! All of that rain and snow last month sure switched quickly to warmer weather, spring flowers and mosquitoes! Get your horses vaccinated as soon as possible against eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis and West Nile virus as well as all of the other usual transmissible diseases. This will probably be a bad year for bugs.

We have resources and people available for you to learn from and breeders to refer you to if you want to buy a young one to train or if you want to further the training with your present horse.

We are accepting membership renewals and new memberships for 2021 now. Youth are encouraged to join too! Go to www.michiganfox trotters.com to print off the form. You will learn alot from our members about the history of Fox Trotters,their uses and availability and be able to network with those of us who camp,train and show them. Our association is blessed to have skilled trainers,breeders and a farrier to learn from. We love promoting this breed as they have great personalities,are so versatile and come in many sizes and different coat colors. A benefit to joining is that we can offer clinics at a reduced price to our members. Due to Covid we are meeting remotely each month. Michigan is a big state and this is a good way to easily see and talk with each other within and outside of MI. Come join the fun!

Don't forget to transfer your newly-bought horse's registration papers into your name with the MFTHBA,too. We are growing! New member welcomes go out to Naomi Haas, equine dentist Kris Modreske and Harry Struble all of MI. Naomi rides a sorrel sabino gelding (Dexter) and a black mare (Hank's Serenity Liberty Bell B). Kris rides a black and white gelding (Radar's Spotted Prior). And congratulations go out to Harry Struble on his purchase of Joe's Golden Chip, a handsome buckskin gelding, from Chuck Fanslow. All these members are riding quality Fox Trotters!!!

Sign up now for the popular Versatility Challenge for 2021. Print off the enrollment form from our website. There are may areas in which you can accumulate points-even in the non-rideable months.

Registration is still open for all three Versatility Challenges (Under Saddle Challenge, Not Under Saddle Challenge and Ultimate Horseman Challenge). This program is designed to show how versatile the Missouri Fox Trotter is. Registered and grade MFTs are allowed. All handicapped and regular youth through adults are welcome. Every imaginable activity and category is included from in hand work to Dressage, short distance trail riding to endurance competitions and everything in-between (cow work, driving, extreme trail, 4H and open showing, parades, reining, trail maintenance and more!). We also included a competition for the most ambitious member who demonstrates their horsemanship skills in a wide variety of categories. Quarterly and year-end awards will be given. Go to www.michiganfoxtrotters.com to read the rules and print off the forms to join in on the friendly competition and fun.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the May 27 Michigan Foxtrotting Horse Association (MFHA) judged trail ride to be held at the day use equestrian area of the Ionia Recreation Area. All breeds are wel come. Test your horse and yourself on a number of practical obstacles and possibly win a prize. The adult fee is $25 each and those under 18 pay $10 to participate. Young people are welcome to try their horsemanship skills as well and will leave with a ribbon and prize. Top scoring riders over 18 will get a payback amount. The obstacles will make you and your equine problem solve which is good practice for later on the trail. This will be a fun way to spend a day.

On June 24 we have a members only driving clinic with clinician Judi Campbell at Morning View Farm in Ionia, Michigan followed by the natural trail and obstacle clinic the next day at the Holland Western Saddle Club in Holland, Michigan. This clinic has filled already. Clinician Susan Williams will instruct us on the various trail obstacles there. I have never been there but have heard so many good things about this facility. I am looking forward to going. We will be serving lunch to the participants and auditors. Auditors are encouraged to come watch. Go to hollandwestern.com to inquire about the auditor fee. You will learn important information for when you are faced with similar obstacles on the trail in the future.

More Fox Trotters are slowly becoming available to purchase but they are selling fast. There is a good video on the correct Fox Trot gait posted on our Face Book site to refer to when you are considering an MFT to buy. Be sure to bring a knowledgeable person with you,too, when you narrow down your search. Breeders, Chuck Fanslow (riverflatranch.com) and Gale Gunders (989-534-1207), have well-gaited young stock available. They also have quality studs to breed to if you have a mare you want bred. Chuck has a Buckskin stallion and a palomino stallion(both sons of Cotton Eyed Joe). Gale has a spotted stallion who will throw color to your foal. Both are located in Gladwin,MI. Contact them if you want to have your mare bred. There

Dimensions: 72” x 78” x 76”

Weight: 230 lbs.

We are hosting the second annual Great Lakes National Trail Ride (NTR) from July 7 through July 9 at the Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea, Michigan. It will start out at the Horsemen's Camp. Make your reservations now via dnrreservations.com and specify the Waterloo Horseman's Camp. Cabins are available to rent there as well. All Fox Trotter riders who want to earn an NTR point for attending this ride will need to sign in and all riders need to pay the $10 fee. Georgi Carlton and Amanda Kellogg will lead the ride out on Saturday morning from the campground. Bring a dish to share for the potluck Saturday night and your own table ser vice. The MFHA will provide the meat. We will eat in the pavilion. It will be a fun way to meet other people and listen

The MFTHBA needs registered members to fill their committees for 2021. I just agreed to help out on the Trail Committee again. Surely you can,too! Various committees need members(younger ones too) for their input and advice to increase affiliate numbers,think of ways to make the shows better,to improve and okay National Trail Ride applications,give ideas on clinics (let's get more closer to our state),getting more versatility riders interested,give ideas on training and picking judges, plus more. Many positions can be supported remotely. Also, this is a great way to meet those from other areas of the USA who raise,train and ride MFTs. I have made new friends this way who I would not have otherwise. Contact the MO Fox Trotting Horse Breeding Association via www.mfthba.com to become a member and for more information

Also, PLEASE send in your MFTA dues and your MFTHBA dues

New members are always welcome! Go to www.michiganfoxtrotters.com to print off the membership form. We meet virtually so all members are able to meet without having to drive long distances.

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe Christmas!

Last year we had a gentleman from Nebraska participate. He was quite interesting to talk September brings the member only trail ride at the Hungerford Recreation Area. It will take place on September 29, September 30 and October 1 there. We will be rustic camping. The participants in our versatility program have been working hard earning points with their horses both in the saddle and on the ground. The first quarter showed that Katie Collier is leading the not under saddle division with Nasari followed by Carrie Carpenter with River, Georgi Carlton with Romeo and Marilyn Mannino with Kate. The Amanda Kellogg with Liberty followed by Carrie with Carma, Ron Montgomery with Sloopy, Georgi with Joey, Nancy Green-Duffy with Chinook and Marilyn Mannino with Sam. Carrie leads the ultimate horseman division followed by

Our Event Committee is busy planning the next clinic. It will be a Gaited Western Dressage Clinic at the end of May. More details will be available next month. The clinician is top-notch!

Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Mannino

If you have recently acquired a new to you Missouri Fox Trotter, don't forget to send in the paperwork to the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed Association (mfthba.com) to get him or her transferred into your name. I recently did this even though my new mare hadn't had her paperwork transferred in 17 years yet she had been owned by more than one family before me. She has such interesting bloodlines and it would

MFHA breeder, Chuck Fanslow of Gladwin, Michigan has a pair of quality well gaited stallions available to breed your mare to. Contact him to set up a date for your mare! Look up the River Flat Ranch online to see pictures of his gorgeous

We have lots planned for this year. If you would like to join our association to help promote this wonderful breed and

A little history on our breed: The present-day Missouri Fox Trotter evolved from Morgans in New England being crossed with Arabians, Plantation Horses, American Saddlebreds, TWHs and pacing Standardbreds. The genetic mix of square-trotting horses and pacing horses created the comfortable fox trot gait! Missouri Fox Trotting horses have been used by farmers in Missouri and surrounding states to ride long distances to check their fencing and work cows, pull buggies, by US Forest Service workers, by mounted police and now people across the United States and Europe use them for recreation (showing, trail riding, Dressage,reining, 4H and Equestrian Team, Hippotherapy,etc.). They are truly versatile and also can be found in all colors and sizes! Try one out and find out why everyone loves them so!

com to print off the membership form and read all about us. We encourage youth as well as adults to join. Encourage your

•

•

•

“Hay Huts save and preserve the hay They keep the hay weather protected and are horse friendly.” -CHRIS COX

PROTECT YOUR LARGE BALE

Kingsbarns leads wire to wire to win $1 million Louisiana Derby

AP

Kingsbarns led wire to wire to win the $1 million Louisiana Derby by four lengths and earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Todd Pletcher, Kingsbarns ran 1 3/16 miles in 1:57.33 after breaking to the front and then settling into a relatively slow

pace on a warm, dry day. The rest of the field settled behind, setting up a sprint to the finish around the final turn, during which Kingsbarns pulled away comfortably to remain unbeaten in three races.

“The horse jumped pretty well out of the gate and was able to get himself into the lead right away," Prat said. "From that point, we were able to get a pretty soft pace and he was really comfortable,

13 3-year-olds are late nominees to Triple Crown races

Wild On Ice, winner of the Sunland Park Derby, is among 13 3-year-old colts that were made eligible to compete in this year’s Triple Crown series with a late payment of $6,000.

There are now eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. The Triple Crown opens May 6 with the Derby.

Wild On Ice won the Sunland Park Derby at 35-1 odds. The other late nomi-

nees are: Ireland-bred Brave Emperor, El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos, Coffeewithchris, Empirestrikesfast, Eye Witness, Henry Q, Interlock Empire, King Russell, Kolomio, Mr. Peeks, Nautical Star and Ninetyprcentmaddie.

Any horse not nominated during the early or late phases can become eligible through a supplemental fee due at the time of entry for each Triple Crown race. The Kentucky Derby fee is $200,000, the Preakness is $150,000 and the Belmont costs $50,000.

in a good rhythm, breathing well.

"He sprinted home really well,” Prat added.

A 9-2 second favorite in the field of 12, Kingsbarns paid $11 to win.

The result virtually assures the 3-yearold colt a spot in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby on May 6.

Kingsbarns made it five career Louisiana Derby wins for Pletcher, who already has the early Kentucky Derby favorite in Forte, winner of the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. Forte is raced again in the Florida Derby.

Disarm, which went off at 7-1, charged through the field late to finish second and Jace’s Road, at 6-1 odds, was another two lengths back in third after challenging for the lead from the first turn until the beginning of the homestretch.

Disarm earned 40 points for the Kentucky Derby, likely enough to make the field. Jace’s Road earned 30 points and also could race at Churchill Downs.

Instant Coffee, the 3-2 favorite at post time and winner of the Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds in January, finished sixth after falling back to 10th early.

Kingsbarns with Flavien Prat aboard pulls away to win the 110th running of the Louisiana Derby in New Orleans. Jamie Newell

Horse racing's antidoping rules to start in mid-May

Beth Harris

Horse racing’s new antidoping program won’t get underway until after the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in mid-May, according to an order issued Thursday by the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC, which oversees the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, pushed back the new Anti-Doping and Medication Control program by three weeks until May 22. HISA had planned to relaunch the program on May 1, the start of Kentucky Derby week, after a judge's ruling in early April delayed the start until then.

“I share the concerns that the FTC articulated in their order,” Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA, told The Associated Press by phone.

If the program had started on May 1, pre-race drug testing for the Kentucky Derby would have been conducted under Kentucky Horse Racing Commission rules and state laboratory standards, while postrace testing would have been done under HISA's new rules.

“To break it up like that is very unfair to horsemen, especially considering it's the most high-profile race of the year,” Lazarus told the AP. “It’s more important that the critical thinking be put into the right time to bring it back.”

The Derby will be run May 6 in Louisville. The Preakness is May 20 in Baltimore.

HISA first began the ADMC program, which covers rules for drug testing, drug sampling, out-of-competition testing, rul-

ings and penalties, on March 27.

“The very first week of March 27 was very successful and went smoothly,” Lazarus said.

But a few days later a judge ruled that the program could not be implemented without a 30-day waiting period in a decision that was a victory for the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which has pushed back against HISA.

The HBPA and other groups have filed multiple lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of HISA.

The FTC ruling said the May 22 restart would “avoid the chaos and confusion that could occur if the anti-doping rule became effective on May 1, during the lead-up to the Triple Crown races scheduled during May.” It also said the delay would “ensure that the horseracing industry has sufficient time to

prepare for the anti-doping rule to be effective.”

Lazarus said, “I would have felt a little uncomfortable with the May 1 start with two different rules in place.”

HISA had sought the quick rollout, which would have had the antidoping rules in place for five weeks before the Kentucky Derby.

The delay means the state racing commissions will remain in charge of their drug testing programs through May 21.

As a result, if a horse tests positive in the Derby or the Preakness, racing officials in Kentucky and Maryland will hear the case, decide on punishment and handle any appeals under their existing rules.

The Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, will be run June 10 in New York under HISA's rules.

Midnight heist of rare horse

Ben Hur de Bernaville, a rare French Boulonnais Draft stallion, is practicing on an obstacle course. Ben was at the center of a dispute between Lynn Gennrich, who bought the stallion in 2015 and Olissio Zoppe, founder of Cirque Ma'Ceo, who took the horse in September 2018 to include in his circus. Lynn Gennrich

“HayHutssaveandpreserve thehay.Theykeepthehay weatherprotectedandare horsefriendly.”-CHRISCOX

Gabriela Szymanowska

Under the guise of night, 25-year-old Ian Davis unhooked the latch of a fenced property, slipped a harness over a ghostly white mane and led a 1,600-pound horse onto the roadway, where Davis's sister was waiting.

Gravel and dirt crunched under Ben Hur de Bernaville’s hooves, his pace picking up once he saw the three-horse trailer ahead. With ease, the horse sidled inside, the door shutting behind him.

Ian Davis and his younger sister, Brianna, hopped into the cab of the Ford truck next to their 60-year-old mother, Lynn Gennrich, heading towards Interstate 75 and back home to Minnesota.

A few minutes later, circus owner Olissio Zoppe peered out the window of his home as a gnawing feeling bothered him and looked towards the direction of the paddock where Ben was supposed to be safely tucked away.

Panic struck when he couldn’t see the French Boulonnais draft horse, one of just 550 in the world. Through his neighbor’s trees, Zoppe saw the bright beams of a vehicle’s headlights disappear down the road. He reached for his phone and dialed 911.

Almost three years after that call, Gennrich and Zoppe are still arguing over who owned the horse. Zoppe says the horse was euthanized more than a year ago. Gennrich believes he still might be alive. Since that night in February 2020 — when Gennrich was stopped by deputies before reaching Interstate 75, and arrested months later for grand theft — a felony case ensued before it was dropped. Frustrations remain high for those involved.

At the heart of the case is the question of who really owned Ben Hur de Bernaville and how could the situation have been prevented.

What led up to the night in question

In 2015, Gennrich found herself in northern France looking for a breeder who would sell her a Boulonnais horse which she’d dreamed of owning for 25 years.

After days of searching, Gennrich found a breeder who sold her Ben Hur de Bernaville, affectionately nicknamed Ben. In July 2015, Ben flew to the U.S. and was quarantined in Chicago before arriving at his new home in Wisconsin. In total, Gennrich says she spent some $6,000 purchasing Ben and more than $25,000 getting the horse stateside, according to a Mersant International price list.

Lynn Gennrich leads Ben Hur de Bernaville, a Boulonnais horse, down to an obstacle course at a boarding farm in 2015. Ben was one of 550 Boulonnais horses in the world and was one of only two stallions in the United States. Lynn Gennrich

Ben Hur de Bernaville performs in a Cirque Ma'Ceo show on January 17, 2020, in Sarasota. Less than a month later, Lynn Gennrich, who has maintained she's always been Ben's owner and agreed for Cirque Ma'Ceos's founder Olissio Zoppe to take Ben to include in his show, came down to Sarasota to take back Ben in the middle of the night. Daniel Wagner

Over the next three years, a bond of love and trust formed between the wily, young stallion and the long-time horse owner and trainer. Ben became a part of Gennrich’s family.

“Ben was the light for her,” Brianna Davis said.

As he was such a rare breed, Gennrich started a Facebook page to advertise when and where people could come to see the stallion at fairs, shows and expos where Gennrich said he won various ribbons, even taking home a Reserved Champion Halter Horse award in his first show. On the days between, Gennrich spent time training Ben, or washing away dirt and mud from the horse’s hide and detangling his voluminous mane — Gennrich’s favorite pastime.

In the summer of 2018, Gennrich met Zoppe for the first time.

Zoppe, 44, a resident of Manatee County, Florida, and owner of the traveling equestrian-themed circus Cirque Ma'Ceo, first learned of Ben after stopping by the April 2018 Minnesota Horse Expo where Ben was showcased, he said. He picked up Gennrich's contact information and later

messaged her about coming to see her horses, specifically Ben.

In early September, Zoppe stopped by Gennrich’s farm. The scene he painted for investigators years later was that the property looked “like buffalo had gone through it. Fences were broken, horses were up to their knees in mud,” one report states, while another states the horses were “very low weight, no water present, no hay present, tied up wrong, face rubbed raw, and in terrible condition.”

In those Minnesota and Florida reports, Zoppe told investigators Gennrich begged him to take Ben off her hands. He said she asked for $50,000, then continued to decrease the price before stating, “Come and get him, or I’m gonna put him in the ground,” according to a Minnesota incident report.

Zoppe believed Gennrich would euthanize the horse and since he wanted to include Ben in Cirque Ma'Ceo, he agreed to pay $1,000 which he sent through a Walmart wire transfer about 10 days after visiting Gennrich.

Zoppe, while speaking over the phone with a Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporter, said the horse looked emaciated

and that he was underweight by about 500 or so pounds. He also said the horse was aggressive, so much so that Gennrich had been barred from bringing him back to the Minnesota Horse Expo.

Minnesota Horse Expo President and Security Chairperson Darrell Mead said Ben had been unruly during the 2018 expo. At the time, Mead had been the barn manager and told Gennrich she couldn't come back with Ben. Mead described Ben as an extremely powerful animal, adding that for such a horse to be as untrained and hard to handle as Ben, it “was extremely dangerous to have him around.”

Gennrich denied both claims. She said she came to an agreement with Zoppe to have him take Ben so people could see him in the show and learn about the breed. She said she couldn’t travel as extensively as the circus, thus bringing more attention to Ben.

In two conflicting “agreements” written on what appears to be the back of the money receipt, Gennrich agreed to give Zoppe either 25% of the horse with the understanding he would take Ben for the rest of his life, or that she would release Ben to Zoppe’s care and he would have to handle all costs for taking care of Ben, including for feed and vetting.

Gennrich has insisted she gave 25% of ownership to Zoppe, maintaining 75% ownership for herself. In the 2022

and 2023 Directory of Boulonnais Stallions, the annual French registry by the Regional Center for Genetic Resources Hauts-de-France, Gennrich remains the only owner listed for Ben Hur de Bernaville.

Gennrich said the money Zoppe sent her was for a Coggins Test, a blood test to check for transmittable diseases, and a health certificate Ben needed so Zoppe could take him across state lines. In photos attached to the Coggins Test of Ben taken on September 6, 2018, the horse appears to be rather large and in good shape.

She denied any alleged aggression — Gennrich and her friend Pat Colosimo sent photographs of the two training Ben alone, Ben standing next to smiling children and Ben training next to other horses. Colosimo added she trained Ben for months and not once did the stallion attempt to run her over, attack her, bite or kick her.

“I am not sure where this is coming from, but I can guarantee you that Ben has never been a danger to Lynn or anyone,” said Colosimo, who described Ben as being a “perfect gentleman."

Life in the Big Top Circus

Lights panned across the circular tent and staging ring of Cirque Ma’Ceo, painting Ben’s white fur in hues of blues and greens, yellows and reds as he cantered with a performer on his back during a show. Over the next two years,

Two young girls walk up to stand next to Ben Hur de Bernaville for a photograph prior to their own horse riding lessons at the farm where Ben was being boarded in the fall of 2015. Lynn Gennrich

Recently won ribbons are displayed on the outside of Ben Hur de Bernaville's stall. Lynn Genn-rich came to an agreement with Olissio Zoppe to allow the Cirque Ma'Ceo founder to take her horse to include in his traveling circus so that fans of the rare Boulonnais horse could come see him in the shows. Lynn Gennrich

Zoppe trained Ben to be incorporated into the circus program and featured next to his other horses.

Described on the Cirque Ma’Ceo website as hailing from 8th and 9th generations of bareback riders and equestrian performers, Zoppe said despite the horse’s alleged aggressions earlier, he never had any incidents with Ben.

Mead said when he saw Ben again at the 2021 Minnesota

expo after being in Zoppe’s care, he was a “totally different animal.” During his previous stint at the expo, Mead said other horses couldn’t go near Ben in his paddock, but four years later, that wasn’t the case.

Zoppe maintained a connection with Gennrich, who would text Zoppe for updates as to where Ben was, how training was going, and the progress of the programs Zoppe agreed to print about Ben and the rare breed.

Zoppe told investigators he entertained the communication with Gennrich out of kindness, not because of any contractual obligations. Once he felt Gennrich became “too pushy,” the communication between them began to break down. When Gennrich and a family friend came to Ocala in early 2020 for the Greater Ocala Dog Club show — towing her white horse trailer behind her truck for her dogs — Zoppe allowed her to visit his property and see Ben under watchful supervision.

Gennrich says she was frustrated with Ben’s overall condition, so she went to see an attorney. Days later, her children booked a flight to Tampa, Gennrich picked them up at the airport, and they found themselves parked on the road next to Zoppe’s home.

Conflicting police reports, statements and the unusual case that followed

Police reports, a 911 call recording, and statements from Zoppe, Gennrich and her children paint a conflicting, and at times, murky picture of the battle over ownership of the rare and expensive horse.

By the end of the February 8, 2020, traffic stop in Manatee County, Ben was returned to Zoppe’s property and Gennrich would return home to find out months later there was a warrant out for her arrest.

Gennrich and her children claim that during the traffic stop, Gennrich proved proof of ownership to the deputies, but once Zoppe arrived at the scene and spoke to a higher-ranked deputy, they were threatened with an arrest for trespassing and would have their truck and trailer impounded if they didn’t return Ben to Zoppe.

In an initial report, a deputy wrote when Zoppe arrived at the traffic stop, he said he didn’t have any type of ownership paperwork for Ben but had taken care of him for over a year and incurred costs for his rehabilitation and training. The deputy added Zoppe didn’t have a receipt for the

$1,000 he wired Gennrich.

Gennrich showed deputies ownership papers on her phone and numerous books listing her as Ben’s owner, the initial report states.

More than a month later, when Detective Darren George took over, he noted Zoppe “was able to provide clear and articulated details about the entire situation and history” and emailed proof of payment, text messages and before/ after photographs of Ben.

George’s report doesn’t include any documentation from Gennrich, including the proof of ownership she showed the deputy at the scene. It’s noted that he called the listed number for Gennrich, which eventually went to a full mailbox, prompting him to request local law enforcement to respond to her last known address, only to find Gennrich had moved.

Gennrich’s attorney, Andrew Mallory, believes the Manatee Sheriff’s Office didn’t do enough to get her side of the story.

"We believe all the deputies involved investigated this case thoroughly and came to the correct conclusion," Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Randy Warren said in response.

A year later when Gennrich filed a theft report about Ben with the Mille Lacs Sheriff's Office in Minnesota and an investigator reached out to Zoppe, the circus owner told the investigator Ben was advertised in the local paper and that authorities knew Ben belonged to him.

Gennrich was charged with third-degree grand theft, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. She returned to the area to go through the arrest process, before making bail and proceeded to go through three different attorneys in the case.

Her children are confused why only their mother was charged, especially since Ian Davis said he’d been the only one to step foot on the property that night to take Ben. The case dragged on for over a year.

Mallory said that just days after he turned in a subpoena in March 2022 to have Zoppe come in for a deposition, Zoppe went to the prosecutor to urge him to drop the case.

Questions arise about what happened to Ben Hur de Bernaville

Gennrich and Zoppe’s contentious relationship indicates they don’t agree on almost anything, including whether Ben is dead or if he might be alive and hidden away.

When Mallory learned Zoppe said Ben had been euthanized and wanted to drop the case, he refused to tell Gennrich without written proof. He knew if it was true, it would devastate his client.

Photos of Ben Hur de Bernaville are shown on a Coggins Test, a blood test to check for transmittable diseases in horses, which Lynn Gennrich had to get in order for the horse to cross state lines with Olissio Zoppe, founder of Cirque Ma'Ceo. The report is dated September 6, 2018. Lynn Gennrich

Olissio Zoppe, founder and owner of Cirque Ma'Ceo, during a performance in Sarasota in 2019. Zoppe claims that he had to euthanize Ben Hur de Bernaville, a rare Boulonnais horse, after the horse showed symptoms of severe colic and a poor outcome was decided if surgery was pursued. Herald Tribune Archive

Yet, Mallory felt that something was off with the timing of Zoppe coming forward when he did.

According to a vet report from the case, Ben appeared to be exhibiting symptoms of colic in November 2021. Colic is severe abdominal pain in a horse’s gastrointestinal tract or other abdominal organs, said Whitney VanWinkle, a veterinarian with Gulf Coast Equine Veterinary Services.

In Ben’s case, based on evaluation and severe pain level, it was presumed Ben had a “strangulating small intestinal lesion” and surgery was recommended, but with a poor prognosis, the report stated. Instead, humane euthanasia was pursued, according to the report.

Gennrich, those close to her, and Mallory suspect Ben may still be alive, as it felt suspicious to them that Zoppe waited four months to tell anyone. Gennrich added she had people who knew of Ben reach out to her after the 2022 Minnesota Horse Expo claiming they’d seen Ben at the show and heard the announcer say his name, although these reports could not be independently verified.

Gennrich said she continued to find mentions of Ben in online advertisements in various publications and on the Cirque Ma'Ceo Facebook page, as well as professional photographs of Ben, as if he was still in the show months after the reported euthanization.

In additional incident report documents, a log was sent to investigators from the vet which shows two entries listing Ben Hur de Bernaville as receiving two doses of a euthanasia solution. The specifics of the type of solution were not

included.

Zoppe questioned why he should have had to inform Gennrich about Ben’s death, since up to that point in the eyes of the law and his own, Ben had been his horse.

“It’s a very sore subject for me,” Zoppe said. “He was very dear to me. I loved him, and he was a very special horse.”

He said he didn’t see a point in continuing to fight since Ben was gone, so he let Gennrich off the hook.

In an MSCO action memo, the prosecutor stated, “the victim requested that the state dismiss the case in order for the deposition to be canceled.” Since the case was in part for a jury to decide who owned Ben, and Zoppe no longer wished to have that question answered, the state dropped the case on March 24, 2022.

"He was very dear to me. I loved him and he was a very special horse." Olissio Zoppe, owner of Cirque Ma'Ceo.

Gennrich reached out to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office again in November 2022, prompting a review by a lieutenant. Part of the report found that while there are third-party advertisements that include Ben for shows after his death, those didn’t prove he was still alive.

Up until February 13, 2023, over a year after Ben was allegedly euthanized, a Herald-Tribune reporter found Ben was still advertised on the front page of the Cirque Ma’Ceo website with a small blurb about the rare horse breed directly under the tickets section.

Zoppe said it was difficult for him to change the home-

A line waits outside the tent of Cirque Ma'Ceo in England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park before the show starts on Friday, February 24, 2023. Cirque Ma'Ceo is an equestrian-themed Cirque du Soleil style circus that travels across the United States. Mike Lang

Equestrian law attorneys weigh in

Historically, Florida has been home to large horse populations with states like Kentucky and California, and there have been enough disputes that the legislature passed a “Bill of Sale” rule to help avoid unwarranted confusion.

John Londot, an attorney with Greenberg Traurig, P.A., said the rule states during a sale or purchase of a horse, there must be certain language included in the written bill of sale. This includes the purchaser, owner or duly authorized agent's name and signature, information about the horse and two statements confirming the owner is legally conveying the title to someone else, and the purchaser acknowledges that any warranties or representations should be stated in writing.

While Florida’s bill of sale does not apply to the dispute between Gennrich and Zoppe, as the exchange happened in Minnesota, it was designed to prevent such misunderstandings. Londot urged that no matter where a sale or purchase of a horse might take place, it’s beneficial to write out the terms.

Londot said that simply because Zoppe was taking care of Ben for two years, that in itself would not constitute ownership. He added the cost of care, the $1,000 wire transfer, and the “agreements” would all be considered evidence for a jury to decide ownership in a civil trial.

Avery Chapman, of Chapman Law Group PLC and Equine Law Group PLC, said in this case it’s clear that Zoppe owned Ben and Gennrich was wrong for taking the horse.

There was a sale between Gennrich and Zoppe that didn’t include reservations of rights, Chapman said. He added there was specificity as to what was sold, a $1,000 transfer, a receipt of that transfer which was provided to law enforcement, and Gennrich gave Zoppe the horse, establishing the documented transaction between the two.

Chapman said the biggest problem, and what many people struggle with when selling horses, is that the transactions are poorly documented. In some cases, that leaves room for people to attempt to change their minds or their stories.

The best route Gennrich could have taken was going to see an equine law attorney first, not taking the horse in the middle of the night, Chapman said.

The aftermath and fallout

In a victim impact statement to police, Zoppe said he now lives in fear of his horses being stolen and developed a loss of sleep, fear and paranoia.

“She should be happy I dropped the charges,” Zoppe said, adding that he should have pursued the charges despite Ben’s death.

Gennrich’s children and close friends say the experience has deeply affected her — the same joy and passion she

once had for her horses have fizzled.

“It broke her, it really did,” Brianna Davis said. “There’s no other way to put it. I’ve seen the light and the passion for the horses go out for her because of what he did to her.”

She added the experience has traumatized all of them, especially having to put her mother on a plane to go turn herself into police custody.

Gennrich said she had an attorney lined up to pursue a civil case in 2020, but then the pandemic hit, and the courts closed. Since then, she doesn't have the means to pursue a case now despite how deeply she says the situation has affected her.

“I don’t trust anyone anymore,” Gennrich said.

Lynn Gennrich walks with Ben Hur de Bernaville down a path on a farm in 2015 where Ben was boarded. Gennrich bought Ben from a breeder in northern France in the summer before flying him to the United States in July 2015. Lynn Gennrich