RACEHORSE ALPINUS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 30 October 1934, Page 10

RACEHORSE ALPINUS.

FATAL SCHOOLING MISHAP LEADS

TO COURT CASE.

After hearing lengthy evidence in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland in the case whore Mrs I. E. Swcetapplo, owner of tho chestnut gelding Alpinus, whose death resulted from an accident while being schooled over hurdles on June 9, claimed £2OO damagos from the lessee, Robert William Joseph Cuthbert, of Dargaville, Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., •reserved his decision.

Mr R. N. Moody, who appeared for plaintiff, submitted that the onus was on defendant to show that ho had the right to jump tho horse over hurdles without the consent and permission of tho owner.

Mr G. P. Finlay, for defendant, argued that to school tho horse over hurdles was a normal part of the training. It had been shown that every care had boon takon. The trainer of tho horso was ono of the most experienced in tho Dominion. Alpinus was being trained as a racehorse, not necessarily a 3 a flat racer or a hurdler. Counsel further submitted that, even if Mrs Swcctapple had desired to limit the use of the horse by preventing it from being put over hurdles, she had no legal right to do so under the terms of her lease to Cuthbert.