DUBLIN-based dressage rider Sorrell Klatzko was the target of what Gardaí believe to be dangerous gangs last week when her silver Ifor Williams horse box was stolen from her home in the Calliaghstown, Rathcoole area of Co Dublin.

Klatzko, who moved to the area just over a year ago, was asleep in her home when the thieves took the distinctive HB511 trailer from outside her bedroom window in the early hours of April 1st.

Used as the rider’s main marketing tool, it has the words ‘Competition horses sponsored by Buzzlines Travel’ on the side and back ramp, as well as an Antares sticker and a dressage horse on the front ramp.

The electric gates into her property were broken a few days earlier and were therefore left open. “Whoever is responsible ran the gates a few days before so they were left open, because that was their plan. They snip the wires and then that destabilises the hydraulics,” Klatzko told The Irish Field.The well maintained box, which has UK registration plate GU06 EWB, is 10 years old and has been well maintained, with an estimated value of €4,500.

“They didn’t bother taking the brand new lawnmower beside it and they didn’t go into the garage, where the door was wide open,” Klatzko said, adding that the Gardaí are working on the case.

SUSPICIOUS

CCTV footage from a business located across the road from her home shows a suspicious car, and later a white van, driving up and down the road, stopping and looking in on both occasions, on the day before the robbery took place. However, the CCTV only works in the daylight so no footage was captured on the night of the robbery.

“There was a bull lock on one of the tyres, mostly as a deterrent for this, and that resulted in my tarmac drive being scrapped very badly. They probably wrecked the axel and wrecked the tyre,” she added.

It is believed community meetings are taking place in the surrounding areas of Rathcoole and Saggart, following a huge spike in home break-ins and the theft of large equestrian items. Another incident occurred in the area this week when a man had his jeep and horse box stolen.

Klatzko said the Gardaí have been incredibly helpful but have found no solids leads at this point. “They (Gardaí) have told me this is a really massive problem in the area. They believe it is a really dangerous gang targeting people.

“I’ve had a lot of support and everyone has tightened their security, so if I have helped people in some way than that has been some use. I am reminding people to be vigilant and careful. As well as that, I was alone in the house with the kids when it happened, my other half was away working, and they must have known that. You start to feel vulnerable. I have since heard some comforting stories from people that have had trailers stolen and they have turned up, so we are still hopeful,” Klatzko said.

She appealed for equestrians all over the country to keep an eye out for her distinctive horse box (pictured), and anyone with any information to contact her at 087-4360801.