My husband and I purchased/adopted a horse from Brit Le'Brand Farm and Britney Sturtz. I stated in our correspondence, that my understanding of adoption was that I would own the horse after paying the agreed upon price and all adoption referred to was—the assurance that the horse would be cared for and not resold. She responded, "yes, it's just as you stated." (Fortunately, I have copies of every correspondence). So, I did sign her contract—thinking all she wanted was assurance that the horse would always be well cared for and she always seems nice when you speak to her—BUT - Unfortunatley, Britney has proven to be very dishonest. We had agreed upon a purchase/adoption price that included 2,000. Up front followed by 6 monthly payments of $100. For a horse she advertised under the name "Future" and then became known as "Halo" We sent her 2,000. Plus $100. For the vet certificate. I had a shipper lined up for $850. Britney said she had a shipper that would ship the horse for $750. The only catch was he needed to be paid upfront. So, along with the $2,000. Plus the $100. I also sent $750. For the shipper. When the horse arrived at my facility, I asked for my receipt and the shipper replied, "Britney told me not to give you a receipt it was a gift." I explained that I had paid her in advance and must have the receipt for my records. He had only charged $550. For the shipping. We insisted she put the money she attempted to steal townards the $600. We still owed. Which she did. We then sent her the first payment of $100. (jan.) She calls—"Sorry, haven't received your check. Please send a new one and add the $50. Late fee." We had to put a stop on our original check and send her $150. Next payment, (feb.) we sent confirmed delivery. She sends an email saying she could not cash the check because my husband's signature was illegible! She said—you'll need to send a new check—and it will now be late—add the $50. Late charge! Of course, the only bank that can refuse our check based on signature—is our own as they are the ONLY bank that has our signature on record. When we called our bank they said there was no way another bank would say that. We then called 6 banks in the Warsaw area and confirmed that this was in fact the case. The bank Managers all explained no bank could refuse a check from another bank based on signature. Caught again in a lie—she doesn't seem to care. She seems comfortable with lying. So, we just wired the rest of what we owed her without a late fee. I would never have knowingly got involved with someone who lies like this. It sickens me. But I signed—so... Then she contacts me (Jun.) and says the original breeder of Halo/Future contacted her with his registration papers (supposedly he is a thoroughbred) He is an untatooed gelding. Papers mean nothing. But anyway just to give you further insight: she stated she signed the transfer of ownership and purchased the papers for $1500. As a privilege to me, I could purchase them from her for $1500. Now, all horse people in the real world know—any jockey club papers if transferred are done without fee. She just tries to get $ from you. I'm sorry for her. She does come across nice and sweet but she has proven by her own actions and words to not be trustworthy. Who knows, if she's in this by herself or is directed to be dishonest—I don't know. But, because we're not accustomed to dealing with someone who puts so much effort into deceit, for our own safety, we had to seek out legal counsel and are conducting ourselves as our lawyer advises. I share my experience in the hope it spares someone else from unknowingly getting into the mire with her. However, people can change. It's my daily prayer that Britney will change and experience all the Good Intentions God Has for her life.
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