BREACH OF CONTRACT

U.S. DISTRICT COURT, WEST PALM BEACH

A federal jury decided the seller of a show horse that refused to jump was not liable for breach of contract or fraud.

In April 2014, Alejandro Zendejas paid Eugenie Redman $250,000 for a show horse. Zendejas said he would buy the horse only if it was prepared to compete at the Grand Prix level. After the purchase, the horse refused to jump in competitions. Zendejas sued Redman and Colin Syquia, a trainer, alleging breach of contract and misrepresentations of the horse's medical history and performance record.

The defendants denied the allegations and pointed out that while Zendejas did some due diligence, he did not speak with veterinarians, look at show records or videos of competitions, or speak with previous owners.

Case: Zendejas v. Syquia

Case No.: 9:15-cv-81229-KAM

Plaintiffs attorneys: T. Randolph Catanese and David Yuji Yoshida, Catanese & Wells, Westlake Village, California; Avery S. Chapman; Chapman Galle, Wellington

Defense attorneys: Sarah Cortvriend and John R. Hart, Carlton Fields, West Palm Beach; Patricia A. Leonard and Colleen L. Smeryage, Shutts and Bowen, West Palm Beach