A mysterious, serial saddle thief has been separating horse stables in Flanders from their most expensive saddles. Dozens of saddles have already been stolen this year, amounting to over €100,000. A quality saddle easily costs around €5,000 euros.
A group of thieves has been notably active since the beginning of this year, and they know what they are looking for. Towns throughout Flanders have been visited by the serial saddle gang.
The activities started in East Flanders, but have since spread to West Flanders, Antwerp and Flemish Brabant; each time setting the targeted stables back thousands of euros, reports Het Nieuwsblad.
Kristof Vanhooren of Stal Oostenhem in Knokke-Heist noted on Monday that 15 saddles, worth some €30,000 euros, had disappeared. "I have asked customers to take the more expensive saddles home with them," he said.
The riding school North Sea Stables in Oostduinkerke, West Flanders, has started a crowdfunding campaign after 15 expensive saddles were stolen. "Most of them belonged to children whose horses are stabled here and who train here. The disappointment was great," said Robrecht Deman of North Sea Stables.
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While camera surveillance has vaguely identified the thieves and been shared, it has not yet deterred them. This year the group has managed to steal over €100,000 worth of saddles from Flemish stables.
Lies Vlamynck, General Director of Paardensport Vlaanderen, explained the sentimental value of some of the saddles: "They are often numbered and the most expensive ones bear the rider's initials." Vlamynck expects the saddles will be sold abroad.
Equestrian Flanders has advised all clubs to ask the police to patrol more frequently and for all riders to keep expensive saddles at home if necessary.
