At the Carlisle Magistrates Court on Monday 9 December 2019, Mr Jude Hubbard (also known as Mr Jude Oliver and Mr Jude Conlan) of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was convicted of committing unlawful farriery contrary to s16 of the Farriers Registration Act 1975 as amended. Following a finding of guilty Mr Hubbard was sentenced to pay a fine of £100, a victim surcharge of £30, and had costs of £5150 awarded against him. This is Mr Hubbard’s second conviction for unlawful practise in 6 months.
At the Appleby Horse Fair on 6 June 2019 the RSPCA, with assistance from Cumbria Constabulary and the FRC, apprehended Mr Hubbard while shoeing a horse. Mr Hubbard claimed that he was allowed to shoe the horse on the grounds that (1) he was rendering first aid to the horse in an emergency, and (2) he was a farriery apprentice and therefore allowed to shoe a horse. The first ground was disproved by the evidence of a specialist witness, a practising equine veterinary surgeon, and the second ground was disproved by the FRC confirming that Mr Hubbard’s apprenticeship was terminated in March 2013.
The case was brought by the RSPCA, with Cumbria Constabulary and the FRC providing witness support.