Dalhart Darlin'
1997 dark brown/bay Thoroughbred mare
15.3 - 16.1 hands
IDENTIFIABLE MARKINGS:
star on forehead shaped like the state of Texas
white "dot"/spot on back of RF leg approximately 4 inches above knee.
Lip Tattoo starts with A00
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Darlin was adopted by Margaret "Peg" Sherrod of 1901 SW 118 Avenue, Davie, Florida in spring of 2001. Peg knew the rules very well. She had even asked us at one point if she could "share" ownership of Darlin, and we said no.
In January of 2004 Peg "gave" Darlin to her sister in law, Debbie Sherrod of Port St. Lucie, Florida. I located Debbie through a flyer that we had posted at Calder racetrack. Debbie told us that Peg was very clear that the horse was hers to give. Peg never mentioned that Darlin' had been adopted. She indicated very clearly that she owned this horse.
Debbie advertised Darlin for sale through an ad in Horse and Tack magazine in April of 2004. Debbie knew her bloodlines and asked $2500 for Darlin. She did not sell her through that ad.
Debbie then took Darlin to Florida Classic Horse Sales at 3781 N.W. 100th Street, Ocala, Florida 34475-1309
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UPDATE:
Darlin was purchased by a woman named Cathy Wyckoff from Ocala who kept her a month then traded her to a dealer named Norman Franklin at Florida Classic Horse Sales on August 21, 2004. Norman Franklin, the dealer who acquired her on August 21 has not been helpful when asked about her whereabouts, and perhaps he truly doesn't remember.
We need YOUR help.
With god's help, and the generous help of a wonderful private detective in Davie, we have traced Darlin this far. She could be at a family farm, or at a breeding/ reproductive facility since she has excellent conformation and is tattooed. She is potentially built to be a polo pony as well.
Norman Franklin has many regular clients, and he knows a good looking horse and their potential. We believe he sold her to a regular client, and possibly right from the auction grounds, that's why we're concentrating our search in Florida (keep in mind though, she could be anywhere).
We have received absolutely no help from Margaret Sherrod - the woman who knew she was required to return the horse if she no longer wanted to care for her (and the saddest part of this entire situation is that we contacted Margaret TWICE while the horse was still with her sister in law. It would have been so simple at that point to say "we don't want her, take her back". For reasons that may remain a mystery, she didn't do that, and she now faces both civil and criminal prosecution for her actions).
If you think you can help us in any way - EVEN LOOKING AT HORSES THAT SEEM TO FIT DARLIN'S DESCRIPTION - the star and white spot are a definitive identifying marks, and the lip tattoo will confirm her identity (she has no other markings) - PLEASE CONTACT US. She can stay where she is if it's a good home and they wish to keep her - or we will buy her back if that is the caregiver's desire.
Margaret Sherrod had no reason to give the horse away. It's a travesty that someone would even think of taking advantage of a charitable organization's protection of an animal like this - let alone follow through on that thought. If we don't find Darlin soon, we may never find her.
Our sole reason for existing is to protect the animals that come into our program for the remainder of their lives, and we provide a return clause in every contract so that we can ensure that will happen.
Thank you.
814-827-8270