The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Fury over saddle theft
Riding school owner feels ‘violated’ after kit stolen
More than a dozen saddles were stolen from an Aberdeenshire riding school.
Staff at the Cabin Equestrian Centre in Inverurie discovered the saddles were missing as a charity riding class arrived earlier this week.
The theft is believed to have happened between 9.30pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday.
A total of 10 school saddles were taken, along with three owned privately by staff.
Fiona Quennell, who runs the yard with her husband Morgan, said she felt “violated”.
She said: “It was a nightmare. We’ve never experienced anything like this before.”
She added: “This has hit us hard – the school holidays are when we typically are more busy, but we’ve had to cancel some lessons.”
One of those affected was Rachael Doubleday,
who works at the centre, who posted online: “Please everyone keep your eyes open for any saddles offered for sale.
“People don’t realise that it’s so much more than just saddles to us.”
Mrs Quennell said the saddles would have been very heavy to carry, and that a saddle bag was found abandoned in bushes nearby the property.
However, she praised
the riding community for rallying around.
Horse Rescue Scotland, based in Banknock in Falkirk, has offered to donate equipment while individuals from Kinross, Linlithgow and Stirling have been in touch to help.
Mrs Quennell said: “We’ve been overwhelmed at the response – people have offered to loan us equipment or gift us saddles, it means so much.
“The horse-riding community has offered support in their droves and it has been rather emotional for all of us.
“I was in tears yesterday when someone gave us a saddle.
“You don’t always realise the amount of kindness in the world. This has reminded me of it.”
A police spokesman confirmed inquiries into the theft were ongoing.
“You don’t always realise the amount of kindness in the world”