I think we can all agree that taxes are well ‘taxing’. The time, preparation and fear that rolls around every year is tiresome at best, but we all agree it’s something we have to do. Well most of us.

I came across this twist of a story today (yes, I know I’m a little late) about 14 world-class jumpers going to be auctioned off by the US treasury department online.  Okay, you caught my attention. A tale of a father, Alejandro Andrade, unraveled.

Apparently, Andrade was sentenced to 10 years in prison in November for money laundering and as part of his plea agreement, he agreed to a forfeiture  money judgment of $1 billion plus all assets involved in the corruption. As a result, the fourteen show jumpers of Emanuel Andrade’s (his son) which were seized by the U.S. Treasury Department including Emanuel’s 2016 Olympic ride Hardrock Z, were set to sell via online auction on Feb. 19-26 along with other assets owned by Alejandro Andrade, the former treasurer of Venezuela.

So here’s the alert to all of you with the  $50,000 determined ‘pay in’ that you too may land yourself an Olympic mount that otherwise may have never come to market. In fact, there are several. The list of 14 including the previously mentioned Hardrock Z is as follows:  Clouwni, who jumped for Brazil at numerous Nations Cups and the 2014 World Equestrian Games under Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, the Selle Francais stallion Ricore Courcelle and the Central American and Caribbean Games medal-winning mare Reus De La Nutria are also among the horses for sale. Completing the list we have Anastasia Du Park, Boy IV, Bon Jovi, Cortina 186, Dipssy, Jenni’s Chance, Joli Jumper, Leonardo RGS, Quilina VD Laarseheide Z and Tupac Van De Vrombautshoeve Z

Previews for registered bidders and guests will take place at Delray Equestrian Centre in Florida on 28 January and 4 February, which is where the horses are being kept.