After a long legal battle, the Dutch court has decided that the Grand Prix horse Zygrande le Coupied is officially owned by Theo Verboort. Rider Ceylan Avinal will have to return the horse to Verboort.
On 31 August 2016 the court house of Breda ruled that Theo Verboort is the official owner of the 12-year old KWPN gelding Zygrande Le Coupied (by Krack C x Ferro) after both Avinal and Verboort claimed to be the owner. An almost one year legal battle took place with numerous public sequestrations at shows in The Netherlands.
The Dutch-Turkish Avinal received the ride on the bay gelding six years ago and competed him at the 2010 World Young Horse Championships in Verden. They also won silver at the Dutch Young Horse Championships that year. Avinal trained Zygrande up to Grand Prix level and continued to compete him throughout 2015 while the lawsuit was going on. The pair made its international Grand Prix debut in 2015 at the CDI Roosendaal. This year they contested two internationals, in 's Hertogenbosch and Roosendaal.
After the final court verdict, Verboort told Dutch equestrian magazine De Hoefslag, "the court ruling is not difficult, the horse has been appointed to me. I'm not allowed to say much about it. The most important thing is that he's coming back home with me." The horse is still based with Avinal. "I expect him home in a few days," Verboort added. Avinal was not available for comment.
Source: De Hoefslag - Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Zygrande le Coupied
Zygrande Le Coupied Found
Avinal's Zygrande Le Coupied Stolen
Beau Deux, Avanti and Zorro Win Incipient 2010 KNHS Subli Championships
Scores: 2010 World Championships for Young Dressage Horses