Key Points
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The case over Evening Storm’s ownership has reached the Gauteng High Court.
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Lindsi Wood claims that veterinarian Michelle Miller refuses to return the horse.
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The court considers the case urgent due to the horse’s value and time sensitivity.
A legal battle has broken out over Evening Storm, a much-loved showjumping gelding. His owner, Lindsi Wood, claims that veterinarian Michelle Miller is refusing to return the horse.
Wood had temporarily placed Evening Storm in Miller’s care in October 2022 after an ankle injury left her unable to ride.
But when she recovered, she discovered Miller was refusing to return the horse. Wood turned to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, asking for an urgent order to have Evening Storm returned.
Disagreement over the horse’s ownership
Wood told the court that she trusted Miller to take care of Evening Storm, as the horse required regular exercise to maintain his condition.
However, after hearing that the horse was not being cared for properly, Wood became concerned.
She said Miller had promised to return the horse in April 2023 but then refused. Miller, in contrast, claimed that Wood had given Evening Storm to her after she suffered a riding injury. She argued that the horse was a gift and not merely on loan.
Court’s decision and urgency of the case
The Gauteng High Court raised doubts about Miller’s claims. The court found it difficult to believe that Wood would donate a horse worth R180,000 to someone she barely knew.
The court decided that it needed to hear oral evidence due to the conflicting testimonies.
Given Evening Storm’s value and his prime years as a show-jumping horse, the court stressed the importance of resolving the case quickly to avoid wasting his talents.
