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JESSIEMAE
Gold Member

England

872 Posts

Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 9:53:29 PM

Hello Everyone

So sorry this story and update are late but I have had a poorly pregnant Whippet (who is fine now) and haven't been able to get online long enough to write this!

Shulay Montana, as most people know, was registered for sale at the Llanbydder auction held at the end of May of this year. She generated a lot of interest as she was 16 years old and prior to the last 2/3 years of her life, had been loved and well cared for. She was bred by Pauline Gribben of the Shulay Palomino stud and sold at weaning to her God Daughter, Ali. Shulay Montana, whose stable name is Roody, had a lovely time with Ali, she was shown successfully and had one colt foal. Montana was sold to what was supposed to be a 'forever home' 11 years ago and her new owners kept in touch with Ali for many years. Unfortunately Montana's owners sold her 2/3 years ago and this is where things seemed to go downhill for her. We are unsure who owned her at this time as her registration papers and passport have never been updated. I don't know who entered her in the Llanbydder sale, maybe somebody reading this can tell me ?
Montana was sold at Llanbydder to a dealer for 720 guineas and literally seemed disappear off the face of the earth! She was reportedly in a poor condition at the sale and there was much speculation that she may have been sold for meat. This is when Montana's 'case' was highlighted on AL and lots of caring and worried members started to do some detective work. It was quickly established who the dealer was and contact was made with him by myself and other worried Aliners. The dealer who bought Montana would not say what had happened to her, only that he had sold her on, he wouldn't confirm whether or not this was for meat or to a new home. Ali, Montana's, former owner was devastated as was Pauline her breeder, as this dealer simply would not talk to anyone. This is where Gemma (Precious) stepped in. Gemma, like many others, had been following Montana's story from the beginning but wasn't prepared to let it end here. She posted Montana's details on various horsey forums, printed out posters and got in touch with other dealers to try and locate Montana. All that came back was that she had been sold on but nobody knew who to. Gemma, then in desperation actually wrote to the dealer who had bought Montana, asking him to get in touch with her should he ever hear that Montana was for sale again. For months she heard nothing back from him, not even an acknowledgment that he received her letter. Then two weeks ago, out of the blue, he rang her. He stated that the person he sold Montana to was no longer able to keep her as she was an older lady and was going into care, her daughter had apparently contacted him and asked him to take Montana back and sell her. How much truth is in this we simply don't know as the dealer would not tell Gemma who this person was. He also would not say when he was getting her back, only that when he did he would not keep her for longer than a few days, she would then be re sold again. Gemma then contacted Ali and they frantically began looking for a buyer for her.
I had been looking for an older horse for many months so contacted Gemma to see if I could help. The biggest problem we had was that the dealer didn't want to be contacted, wouldn't say when he was getting her but when he did, expected us to come for her more or less immediately or he would re sell her! He knew how much interest Montana had generated and was literally calling the shots. This is when we kept things quiet on the forum as we feared he would put her price up again! It was also proving to be a bit of a logistical nightmare as I live 4 hours away from Gemma and don't have my own trailer. We needed someone to transport her at the drop of a hat which is where the wonderful Babs and Tony of the Sun Ray Stud stepped in!
Gemma finally got the call from the dealer that he had Montana and Ali, Pauline, Gemma and I went to collect her to take her to Gemma's yard. It was a very emotional time, Ali and Pauline hadn't seen Montana for 11 years and she isn't in the best condition. Gemma and I were just so relieved as we have both been so stressed out over the last two weeks, waiting for phone calls, trying to keep quiet and arrange things when we both work full time and live at different parts of the country! When we led Montana onto the trailer and drove away with her the feeling was incredible, we finally had her!
We then rang Babs and Tony who came to meet us at Gemma's yard to take Montana on the final leg of her journey up to Cumbria where I live. Tony was a star, he waited over an hour for us as we got stuck in traffic, he then loaded Montana and delivered her to my yard four hours later. I was unable to meet him at my yard as I had a phone call to say that my pregnant Whippet was poorly and I was needed at home. I needn't have worried as Tony, unloaded Montana, put her in her stable and rugged her up for me. What a service!

Sorry this is such a long post but it is a long story! Roody, as she is now known, has settled in really well. She is very loving and neighs to greet you everytime she sees you. She has charmed everyone who has met her and even my yard owner, who is a farmer who doesn't really 'do' horses was caught calling her 'golden nugget'
yesterday.!!
I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped in Montana's re homing, first and foremost Gemma, who worked tirelessly and was so dedicated to this cause, bless you Gemma, you really are a little 'Gem' xx

Ali and Pauline, who as well as being reunited with Montana, gave me lots of invaluable information about her including her stable name of Roody and Ali for giving me a medal that Montana won at one of her shows, I was really touched as I know how much it meant to her.

Babs and Tony of Sun Ray Stud, for transporting Montana safely and efficiently and also for a very reasonable price, Babs has always had a soft spot for Montana and wanted to do her bit.

Mandy (Bridie) who very early on identified the dealer who had Montana, checked his 'holding' fields looking for her and contrary to what people were saying, warned that she was 'not in a good place'. Mandy, you were so right..!x

And finally all you wonderful Aliners who hilighted Montana's case and have been offering help in all kinds of ways. She wouldn't be with me now if it wasn't for this site! Thank you also for all the good wishes you have sent Montana and I, it is much appreciated and I promise you all I will keep you updated on her progress.

I know you all want pictures but as I am a numpty and haven't learnt how to do this yet, if somebody would pm I could then email them to you and you could post them for me?

Sorry once again this is so long, I promise future posts will be much shorter..!

Liza xx

Edited by - JESSIEMAE on 17 Oct 2009 9:57:18 PM

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Slave 2 Magic
Gold Member

England
1023 Posts

Posted - 17 Oct 2009 : 10:08:17 PM

Wow!

What a journey its been. It just shows what dedication most people have to their horses. I wish Roody all the best and im sure that she will soon be fit and well. Pics asap!!!

West Yorkshire