Bringing years of equestrian expertise to Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ specialist equine team, Ruth Coupe is in a unique position to understand the particular demands of horse ownership and competition.
From early years competing at Pony Club level and reaching the National Championships, through years of owning, breeding and eventing horses, Ruth now competes at national and international level as a Grade IV para rider, following an eventing accident 11 years ago.
Her commitment to the sport led to her being invited to join the UK Sport World Class Development squad in her journey to competing in a Paralympic Games. Having sadly lost her advanced horse, she is now training up a young replacement so that she can take her place in the squad again.
After training in Leamington Spa with the equine team at Blythe Liggins Solicitors, she worked with the Sport and Equine department at Wright Hassall before moving to Worcester to join the dedicated equine team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, official legal partners to British Dressage.
She said: “My own experience with horses is invaluable in this specialist area of law, and I’m delighted to be joining a team where everyone shares the same understanding of the time, commitment and emotion we invest in horses, both as our beloved pets and as competition animals. We can help clients with issues which affect both their own horses and their commercial equine interests, and I look forward to getting to know both them and their horses in the future.”
Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ equine litigation team covers all aspects of equine law including horse purchase and sale disputes as well as any ownership disputes, veterinary negligence, livery disputes, trainer negligence, purchase and loan agreements.
Ruth, who is based in the Worcester office, is also experienced in dealing with banned substance hearings before Sport Resolutions UK, selection disputes, rider disciplinary hearings and appeal hearings both before and on behalf of sporting and equine governing bodies.
Heath Thomas, who heads the firm’s growing sport and leisure sector, said: “Ruth’s professional and personal experience will be an invaluable addition to our team – we are delighted to be able to extend our services to clients in this way.”
Members of British Dressage are entitled to a free legal helpline providing half an hour of legal advice with Harrison Clark Rickerbys and discounted rates on standard documents, such as sale agreements.
Ruth can be contacted direct on 01905 744982 or at rcoupe@hcrlaw.com