Free UK Horse Sale Agreement (Equine — Leisure / Racing / Breeding / Competition)

HORSE SALE AGREEMENT

Private Sale  ·  Sale Of Goods Act 1979 Ss.12-13  ·  COMPETITION (Showjumping / Dressage / Eventing — FEI Passport For International Level)

THIS HORSE SALE AGREEMENT is made on 18 June 2026 between:

(1) Marston Equestrian Centre (sole trader: Caroline Helen Whitaker) of Marston Equestrian Centre, Marston Lane, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire PE12 9JT (the "Seller"), being a PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL not operating commercially — Sale of Goods Act 1979 ss.12-13 implied terms apply; the satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose implied terms under s.14(2)-(3) do NOT apply between private individuals; and

(2) Sophie Margaret Halloran of 14 Beech Lane, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 2QA (the "Buyer").

BACKGROUND. The Seller is the absolute owner of the horse described in clause 1 (the "Horse") and has agreed to sell the Horse to the Buyer for the Price set out below. The Buyer wishes to acquire the Horse for COMPETITION (showjumping / dressage / eventing — FEI passport for international level).

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK. This contract is governed by the Sale of Goods Act 1979, the Misrepresentation Act 1967, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 SI 2018/761 (horse passport regime).

The Seller transfers and the Buyer acquires the following horse (the "Horse"), described in compliance with the implied term as to correspondence with description (Sale of Goods Act 1979 s.13 / Consumer Rights Act 2015 s.11; see also Pinnock v Lewis and Peat [1923] 1 KB 690 — strict description liability):

2.1 Price. The agreed sale price for the Horse is £8,500.00.

2.2 Deposit. The Buyer has paid (or shall pay on signature) a deposit of £850.00, applied against the Price. The balance is payable on or before delivery.

2.3 Receipt. The Seller shall provide a written receipt on receipt of the full Price. The Buyer shall not take possession of the Horse until the full Price has been received in cleared funds (or in accordance with any escrow / staged-payment arrangement agreed by the parties).

3.1 Title warranty. The Seller warrants under Sale of Goods Act 1979 s.12 that the Seller has the right to sell the Horse and that the Horse is free from any charge, lien, livery debt or other encumbrance not disclosed in writing to the Buyer before the date of this Agreement.

3.2 Quiet possession. The Seller further warrants that the Buyer shall enjoy quiet possession of the Horse free from any interference by the Seller or by any party claiming under the Seller.

3.3 Disclosure. The Seller has disclosed any livery debt, riding-school lease, syndicate share, breeding lease or other interest of a third party in the Horse before the date of this Agreement. The Buyer acknowledges the disclosure schedule (if any).

4.1 Passport handover. The Seller shall hand over the original horse passport (equine identification document) on delivery, together with any extension covering food-chain status (Section IX), vaccination history (Section V), worming record, BHA / FEI / Weatherbys documents and any breed-society certificate.

4.2 Statutory change-of-ownership notification. Under the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 SI 2018/761, the new owner (Buyer) must notify the Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) of the change of ownership within 30 DAYS of delivery. The Seller shall complete the rear of the passport (Section II) and provide written confirmation of the change to assist the Buyer's notification.

4.3 Microchip. The Seller warrants that the Horse's microchip number matches the passport details (mandatory for horses foal'd after 30 June 2009). Any discrepancy must be reported to the PIO and to the Trading Standards animal welfare team.

5.1 Description warranty. The Seller warrants that the Horse corresponds with the description in clause 1 (SoGA 1979 s.13; Pinnock v Lewis and Peat [1923]).

5.2 Warranty type. The warranty given by the Seller in respect of the Horse's soundness is: SPECIFIC WARRANTY — see clause 5.4 for the bespoke warranty terms agreed between the parties.

5.3 Specific warranty terms. The Seller warrants: (a) the Horse is sound on a level surface at walk and trot, with no visible lameness; (b) the Horse has competed at British Showjumping Foxhunter (1.10m) level during 2024-2025 with current registration; (c) the Horse has never had a kissing-spine procedure, neurectomy or wind operation; (d) the Horse has been hacking in open countryside with traffic for the past 18 months without incident; (e) the Horse has a current BS competition record (provided as Schedule 1 to this Agreement).

5.4 Vice exclusion. The Seller has disclosed: NO DISCLOSED VICES (Seller warrants no known vice). Any later-discovered undisclosed vice may give rise to a misrepresentation claim under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 ss.1-3.

5.5 Trial period. The Horse is offered with a TRIAL PERIOD of 7 days from delivery, during which the Buyer may return the Horse on the terms agreed (full refund less reasonable depreciation; vet fees and feed at Buyer's expense). The trial period is in addition to (and does not limit) any statutory rights of rejection.

5.6 Misrepresentation. The Seller has made no representation as to the Horse other than as expressly set out in this Agreement and in the passport documentation. Pre-contract misrepresentations may give rise to rescission and damages under Misrepresentation Act 1967.

6.1 Delivery. The Seller shall deliver (or make available for collection) the Horse on 29 June 2026 at 14 Beech Lane, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 2QA.

6.2 Risk. Risk in the Horse passes from the Seller to the Buyer on delivery. The Buyer shall arrange transport (by appropriately licensed equine transporter — Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006) and insurance.

6.3 Welfare. The Buyer acknowledges that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 s.9 imposes a continuing duty of care to ensure the Horse's welfare needs are met — including suitable environment, suitable diet, ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, housing with or apart from other animals, and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

(A) STATUTORY REGIMES.
   (i) TRADER-TO-CONSUMER sale — the Consumer Rights Act 2015 Part 1 Chapter 2 applies. Live animals are treated as "goods" for the purposes of CRA 2015. The county courts have applied CRA 2015 to horse purchase disputes (illustrative authority: Kilcradin Solicitors v Briggs [2016] and subsequent equine practitioner commentary on trader-consumer horse warranty claims).
   (ii) PRIVATE-TO-PRIVATE sale — only Sale of Goods Act 1979 ss.12 (title) and 13 (description) apply. The s.14(2) (satisfactory quality) and s.14(3) (fitness for purpose) implied terms do NOT apply between private individuals.
   (iii) BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS sale — SoGA 1979 ss.12-15 implied terms apply in full; the parties may exclude or limit ss.13-15 (subject to the reasonableness test under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977).

(B) APPLICATION TO THIS SALE. This is a PRIVATE-TO-PRIVATE sale. SoGA 1979 ss.12 (title) and 13 (description) apply only. The satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose implied terms do not apply.

(C) SoGA 1979 REMEDIES — PRIVATE / B2B SALE.
   (i) Title (s.12). Seller warrants the right to sell free from third-party claim.
   (ii) Description (s.13). Seller warrants correspondence with the description (Pinnock v Lewis and Peat strict liability test).
   (iii) Quality (s.14(2)). Does NOT apply to private sales. Buyer accepts the Horse subject to the express warranties in clause 5 and the Misrepresentation Act 1967 backstop.
   (iv) Misrepresentation Act 1967. Pre-contract misrepresentations as to material fact (age, breeding, soundness history) give rise to rescission and damages.

(D) DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Horse warranty disputes should be referred first to the Seller in writing within the relevant statutory or contractual window, with veterinary evidence. Mediation is recommended (e.g. BVA equine mediation service; Equine Industry Welfare Group). County Court small claims for disputes up to GBP 10,000; multi-track for larger sums.

CRA / SoGA narrative:
This is a private-to-private sale. Caroline Whitaker operates Marston Equestrian as a small livery yard but the Horse "Hartwood Diamond Dancer" is her personally-owned competition horse, not a trading-stock animal — the sale is therefore in private capacity (not in the course of business). SoGA 1979 ss.12 (title) and 13 (description) apply; s.14(2) satisfactory quality does not apply. Specific warranty terms in clause 5 provide contractual protection; misrepresentation backstop preserved under Misrepresentation Act 1967. Disputes route: BVA equine mediation service, then County Court small claims (up to GBP 10,000) or multi-track for higher claims.

(A) THREE WARRANTY MODELS.
   (i) SOUND — full warranty. Seller warrants the Horse is sound in eyes, wind, heart and limb at the date of sale. No current lameness, no visible defect of the foregoing. No known material vice or behavioural fault. The Buyer's remedy on breach is the difference between sound price and unsound value, plus reasonable veterinary costs; rescission where the defect renders the Horse unfit for the intended use.
   (ii) NOT WARRANTED — "as seen" / "sold with all faults". The Seller offers no warranty as to soundness. The Buyer takes the Horse with all its faults. The Seller's liability is limited to the SoGA s.12 title warranty (which cannot be excluded). Suitable where the Horse is older / has known historic injury / is a project horse.
   (iii) SPECIFIC WARRANTY. A bespoke warranty addressing identified concerns (e.g. "Seller warrants the Horse is free from navicular disease as confirmed by the BEVA Stage 5 vetting dated [date]"). The specific warranty schedule operates as a contractual term; breach gives rise to a damages claim (and possibly rescission where the breach goes to the root of the contract).

(B) THIS AGREEMENT'S WARRANTY TYPE. SPECIFIC WARRANTY — see clause 5.4 for the bespoke warranty terms agreed between the parties

(C) SPECIFIC WARRANTY TERMS.
The Seller warrants: (a) the Horse is sound on a level surface at walk and trot, with no visible lameness; (b) the Horse has competed at British Showjumping Foxhunter (1.10m) level during 2024-2025 with current registration; (c) the Horse has never had a kissing-spine procedure, neurectomy or wind operation; (d) the Horse has been hacking in open countryside with traffic for the past 18 months without incident; (e) the Horse has a current BS competition record (provided as Schedule 1 to this Agreement).

(D) DISCLOSED VICE. NO DISCLOSED VICES (Seller warrants no known vice).
The Seller has owned the Horse since November 2022 and confirms after careful reflection that the Horse exhibits no crib-biting, weaving, wind-sucking, rearing or bolting behaviour. The Horse is calm to load on a trailer, calm at the BS warm-up arena environment, and stands quietly for the farrier and vet. No previous owner is known to have reported any vice. The Seller has not concealed any behavioural concern.

(E) RIDDEN ASSESSMENT. The Buyer is recommended to ride or have a competent agent ride the Horse before sale; this assessment is in addition to the BEVA vetting (clause D). Riding assessment must be at the Seller's yard or another mutually agreed venue.

(F) TRIAL PERIOD. The trial period of 7 days runs from delivery and is conducted at the Buyer's premises with the Buyer's standard care, feed and stabling. Return on trial: vet certificate confirming no deterioration in condition; transport at Buyer's cost; refund of Price less reasonable depreciation (typically GBP 100-250 / week of trial as keep / depreciation).

(G) CASE LAW. Pinnock v Lewis and Peat [1923] 1 KB 690 — strict description liability; Bramhill v Edwards [2004] EWCA Civ 403 — trader's actual / constructive knowledge of defects; Kilcradin v Briggs [2016] — illustrative county-court CRA 2015 application to horse purchase dispute.

Warranty narrative:
The specific warranty model is elected because the Horse has a defined competition history (BS Foxhunter 2024-2025) and the parties wished to lock down the warranty around that documented competition use rather than relying on a generic "sound" warranty. The 7-day trial period at the Buyer's yard allows the Buyer to assess fit with her own equipment and training environment before committing finally. Specific warranty terms contractually bind the Seller and create a route for damages claim if a material misstatement is later proved.

(A) BEVA / RCVS PROTOCOL. The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Pre-Purchase Examination is the recognised industry standard for assessing a horse's veterinary fitness for the intended use. The full FIVE-STAGE protocol comprises:
   Stage 1 — preliminary examination at rest (general inspection; eyes; teeth; heart; limbs)
   Stage 2 — walk and trot in hand (assessment of gait; flexion tests)
   Stage 3 — exercise phase (ridden or lunged at canter / gallop for the duration appropriate to the type)
   Stage 4 — period of rest and re-examination (heart rate recovery; respiratory recovery)
   Stage 5 — second trot up (final assessment of lameness or stiffness after rest)

A "TWO-STAGE" or "LIMITED" examination consists of Stages 1 and 2 only — sometimes elected for young / unbroken horses or for cost reasons. The Buyer signs the BEVA limited-examination disclaimer acknowledging that certain abnormalities cannot be detected without the exercise and rest phases.

(B) THIS AGREEMENT'S VETTING ELECTION. FIVE-STAGE BEVA examination — Stages 1 (preliminary) + 2 (walk and trot in hand) + 3 (exercise phase) + 4 (period of rest) + 5 (second trot up); the full BEVA / RCVS protocol; recommended for purchases over GBP 2,000

(C) APPOINTED VET. The Buyer has instructed Dr Catherine Mowbray BVSc MRCVS, Spalding Equine Vets to perform the pre-purchase examination.

(D) SATISFACTION THRESHOLD. The sale is conditional on the vetting producing a FIT-FOR-PURPOSE certification — the vet certifies the Horse fit for the intended use (Buyer's stated purpose communicated to vet). Where the vet identifies a material adverse finding, the parties shall meet within 7 days to agree (i) abandonment of the sale and refund of any deposit; (ii) a price reduction reflecting the adverse finding; or (iii) Buyer's waiver and acceptance of the Horse on the original terms.

(E) VENDOR COOPERATION. The Seller shall make the Horse available at a reasonable date / time and at the Seller's yard (or other agreed venue) for the BEVA examination. The Seller shall disclose to the vet any previous veterinary history known to the Seller (lameness; surgery; medication; nerve blocks; insurance claims). Concealment of veterinary history is a misrepresentation under Misrepresentation Act 1967 and may also be a CRA 2015 trader-consumer breach.

(F) BLOOD SAMPLE. The vet may take a blood sample for retention (BHA Rules require a sample for racing-use sales; recommended for all sales above GBP 5,000) — six-month storage allows analysis for sedative / pain-killer masking should subsequent issues arise.

Vetting narrative:
The Buyer instructed her own vet (Dr Mowbray of Spalding Equine Vets — not the Seller's usual vet, ensuring independence) for the full BEVA five-stage examination. Vetting took place at the Seller's yard on 14 June 2026. Vet certified Horse fit for purpose as a 1.10-1.20m BS competition mount, no material adverse finding. Blood sample taken and lodged with Spalding Equine for the standard six-month retention (allows post-purchase analysis for sedative / pain-killer masking should subsequent lameness arise). The vetting report is annexed to this Agreement as Schedule 2.

(A) INTENDED USE. The Buyer acquires the Horse for COMPETITION (showjumping / dressage / eventing — FEI passport for international level). Use-specific provisions apply as follows.

(B) FEI PASSPORT TRANSFER. Where the Horse is FEI-registered (international showjumping / dressage / eventing / endurance):
   (i) The Seller shall hand over the FEI passport (separate to the GB national passport) with all current vaccination, microchip and ownership entries.
   (ii) The Buyer shall register the change of ownership with the Fédération Équestre Internationale and with the relevant national federation (British Equestrian Federation for British Showjumping / British Dressage / British Eventing).
   (iii) Vaccination cycle compliance — six-monthly equine influenza boosters per FEI Veterinary Regulations 2026 — must be continuous to retain FEI competition eligibility.

(C) GENERAL USE FITNESS. For leisure / general riding / riding school use: the Seller's warranty as to fitness for purpose under CRA 2015 s.10 (where applicable) or SoGA 1979 s.14(3) (B2B) is conditioned on the Buyer's having communicated the intended use to the Seller before sale. The intended use stated in clause 1 forms part of the description; material departure is a breach of contract.

Use-specific narrative:
The Horse is FEI-registered (GBR40789) and competes through the British Equestrian Federation (British Showjumping affiliate). The Seller transfers the FEI passport on delivery; the Buyer shall register the change of ownership with the FEI and with British Showjumping within 30 days. Equine influenza vaccination cycle: last booster 12 March 2026 — next due 12 September 2026 (six-monthly cycle per FEI Veterinary Regulations 2026 must be maintained without lapse to retain FEI competition eligibility). British Showjumping registration transfers via the BS online membership portal. No BHA or Weatherbys involvement (not a thoroughbred / not racing-eligible).

(a) Entire agreement: this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the sale of the Horse.
(b) Variation: no variation is effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.
(c) Severability: if any provision is found to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in force.
(d) Third-party rights: no person who is not a party has any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
(e) Governing law and jurisdiction: this Agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales; the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated.