GoHorseShow reports that over $130,000 worth of tack, hats and clothes were stolen at the Reichert Celebration held in Ft. Worth, Texas. We talked to trainers Ryan Painter, Wade Parks, and Carly Veldman who had both of their tack stalls broken into at the show early Sunday morning, September 9, between 1:30 am and 4:45 am. Their tack stalls were located in Barn 4 in the same aisleway.
“I believe they were show people because they knew the difference between 20X and 100X and Pure beaver hats,” says Wade Parks. “They left the less quality 20X and stole three of our 100X hats and one pure Beaver hat. Ryan Painter also had two Pure beaver hats stolen, so I think they knew something about bits, bridles, clothes, and hats.”
Wade Parks and Carly Veldman had approximately $45,000 worth of equipment stolen including: four show saddles–two Phil Harris, 1 Blue Ribbon (Serial # BR10149), and one child’s Silver Mesa. They also had three Shorty’s Custom Hats and one Kendall hat stolen–three blacks and one brown. There was also a box of jewelry and custom spurs engraved with the names JMC, Jennifer, and Josey.
According to Parks, the robbers started with Ryan Painter’s tack stall and then moved onto Veldman and Parks because it appears the robbers were scared off in the middle of stealing items from the Veldman-Parks tack stall. On the other hand, unfortunately, Ryan Painter’s tack stall was almost completely cleaned out. Painter estimates that there was a total of over $85,000 worth of clothing and tack stolen from him and his customer, Daranne Folino. The items taken include: all work and show bridles, expensive show bits, show halters, work saddles, spurs, Paula’s Place western outfits, black chaps, english clothes, two Blue Ribbon show saddles, one Blue Ribbon work saddle, and two pure beaver black hats. Painter said what was a little strange was that they left a stack of Golden West saddle pads and two Butet saddles and english bridles as well as a expensive belt with a World Show buckle. (Pictured left–1 Blue Ribbon–Serial # BR10149)
“It is disappointing to know people have no problem stealing what takes years to accumulate,” Daranne Folino of Plano, Texas says.
Painter and Veldman both state they are in the process of talking to the insurance companies and gathering up the serial numbers on their saddles. We will post more pictures and serials numbers as soon as they have been tracked down. (Phil Harris saddle stolen–pictured left–Serial #5320960459)
There is also a $5,000 Reward on information that helps them recover their items, especially their saddles. They have plans to notify the Southwest Cattleman’s Association since they are known to help recover tack that has been stolen.
If anyone has any information regarding these items, please contact the Fort Worth Police Department or leave a comment and we will make sure it is given to the appropriate individuals.
Pictured here is one of the Blue Ribbon saddles that was stolen from Ryan Painter’s tack stall.
Pictured here is another Blue Ribbon saddle that is lighter in color but the same silver as shown above
Shown here is two Paula’s Place outfits that were stolen.
