Gary Clay Horse Appraiser and Expert Witness

Gary Clay is a leader in the horse industry with over 40 years experience as a trainer, judge, appraiser and expert witness. He provides many litigation services. He is an internationally recognized horse/equestrian expert, technical advisor, legal consultant, equine appraiser and safety expert.

Gary carries the highest rating known as a Large “R” with the United States Equestrian Federation and has judged various National Championships and Shows in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Clay has trained horses and riders who have won a combined 50+ National titles and 100's of top ten titles.

He has a network of professionals throughout the United States with whom he consults and does extensive research. His well-written opinions often lead to the case being won and trial is often avoided.

Services

Mr. Clay's trial services include:

• Case analysis and reconstruction depositions
• Expert testimony
• Industry standards of custody, care, control and safety
• Industry rules and regulation
• Breed standards
• Insurance claim, appraisals and appraisals review

Appraising is a process that requires research, knowledge and experience. Appraising is not an exact science. The appraiser must draw from his expertise to formulate a current market value. Once the process is completed, a report is drawn up and can be submitted for use in the following areas:

• Litigation support
• Divorce settlements
• Estate and Tax planning
• Pre-purchase and insurance
• Tax donations

Litigation Support Services

Internationally recognized equestrian expert, technical advisor, legal consultant, equine appraiser, and safety expert.

Trial Services Include:
• Expert testimony
• Industry standards of custody, care, control, and safety
• Industry rules and regulation
• Breed standards
• Insurance claim, appraisals, and appraisals review

Clientele:
• Attorneys
• CPA's
• Insurance companies
• Estate planners
• Financial institutions
• Government agencies
• Breed associations
• Individual owners

Areas of Expertise

Additional Expertise:

Horse Stable Management, Horse Care Education, Horse Industry Rules and Standards, Case Analysis, Safety Procedures, Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Profile

Gary Clay has been heavily involved in the horse industry since he was a child. His father, Hal Clay, was the owner of a very large racing stable. At a very young age, Gary would follow behind his father, the veterinarians and the trainers, as they would select highly sought after thoroughbred bloodstock from the Keeneland Sales Barn in Kentucky each year. Mr. Clay grew up learning from the finest horseman in the world. He learned how to study pedigrees, dissect the horse's confirmation and read their attitude. At the age of thirteen he won his first National Championships in the youth division, both in Canada and the United States. His training was multiple disciplinary, in Classical Dressage, Jumping and later Reining.

Gary carries the highest ratting known as a Large “R” with the United States Equestrian Federation and has judged various National Championships and Shows in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Clay has trained horses and riders who have won a combined 50+ National titles and 100's of top ten titles.

In the legal field Mr. Clay has been called upon for his extensive equine knowledge to assist lawyers with asking the right questions in depositions and he has sat with counsel during trials. He works as a testifying expert for both the plaintiff and defense.

He has a network of professionals throughout the United States with whom he consults and does extensive research. His well-written opinions often lead to the case being won and the trial is often avoided.

Mr. Clay would take horses that did not have the desire to race and train them for showjumping and dressage. Several of these horses went on to the US Olympic team. In the early '70s Mr. Clay went to Europe and imported many of the nation's finest show and breeding stock. At twenty years of age Mr. Clay turned professional after winning the Amateur National Championship in English, riding Galbor, one of his imported horses from Poland. His training stable and the riding academy was Nationally known for its horses and competitive riders. During these twenty-five years, Mr. Clay managed his own internationally known auction center in Scottsdale, Arizona. He marketed horses for his cliental, including standing at stud multiple million-dollar stallions. His clients ranged from movie stars, international businessmen, politicians, and foreign royalty. Overall, Mr. Clay managed and consulted to over 5,000 horses across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Today Mr. Clay provides consulting for customers and their horses generally by assisting in the inspection and purchase. His illustrious career has given him the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest trainers and equestrian experts. He carries the highest rating known as a Large “R” with the United States Equestrian Federation and has judged various National Championships and Shows in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mr. Clay has trained horses and riders who have won a combined 50+ National titles and 100's of top ten titles.

He has been a guest instructor at the Arabian Horse Judges School and has sat on evaluation committees for young applicants.

In the mid 90's Mr. Clay was ask by the Hilton Resorts management company to take over management of their largest guest trail riding operation in Arizona, they stated that they were having a lot of rider injuries and the quality of service was below there expectations. Within one year of taking over the management of the 100+ horse operation. His stable, Black Hawk Stable was named “Best Trail Rides” by the Arizona Republic newspaper, the award they received for many consecutive years. In addition that, the stables accident rate dropped to zero and the stable was given consecutive safety awards.

In the legal field Mr. Clay has been called upon for his extensive equine knowledge to assist lawyers with asking the right questions in depositions and he has sat with counsel during trials. He works as a testifying expert for both the plaintiff and defense. He has a network of professionals throughout the United States whom he consults with and does extensive research. His well-written opinions often lead to the case being won and trial is often avoided.

Some of the more high profile cases have been around valuations of deceased horse. In one such case he represented the past president of the American Quarter Horse Association through his expert council. Others have included severe injuries and gross negligence cases.

Over his 40+ year professional career he has trained many different breeds, including, police horses and border patrol. He has expertise with nearly every breed of horse including both Racing Thoroughbreds and Racing Quarter horses, Hunters and Jumpers, Miniature Horses, Paso Finos, Arabian, Quarter and Paint Horses, as well as, trail riding and pleasure horses.

Areas Served

All States

Gary Clay Horse Appraiser and Expert Witness in the Social Networks

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Professional Experience

-High Point Youth National Champion United States and Canada
-Trained and or shown 25+ National Champion Horse and Riders
-Syndicated and Managed Million dollar stallions
-Imported horses from Europe
-Scottsdale Sales horse auction company
-Black Hawk stables/ Hilton Hotels Trail rides and dinner shows. named for consecutive years "BEST" of Phoenix
-Awarded Insurance safety awards
-Owner Del Camino Academy with 150 students
-Founder C Diamond C Youth Ranch for at risk boys
-College lecture at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Community College - Equine Science
-Guest lecture at the Arabian judge's school and panel evaluator
-Equine Appraiser and Equine Expert witness
-Attended Seak conference workshop for Expert Witnesses

Licenses

United States Equestrian Association "large R" judge status
Level One Specialty card in Reining & Equitation
BA Arizona State University Business
Teaching Certificate - College Equine Professor

Affiliations

Arizona All Arabian Association
Desert Caballeros
Arabian Horse Association
World Arabian Horse Organization (W.A.H.O.)
American Quarter Horse Association
American Paint Horse Association
Western Horse Council for the United States Equestrian Association
Professional Horseman's Association of America

Qualifications

Skill Highlights:
• Multi-Breed Experience
• Trial Experience
• Depositions
• Appraisals
• Excellent written and verbal skills
• A broad network of equine professionals
• Equine behavior expert
• Knowledge of Care Custody and Control, Industry standards
• Accident analyzes and reconstruction

Core Accomplishments:
• A successful career in the Equestrian field, Nationally recognized
• National Champion Showman & Trainer

Awards & Honors

Multiple National Championships and "Top 10's" earned
Local, Regional and National Judging
Level One Status (Highest Classification)

Seminars & Training

National Level Training, Youth and Adult
Western, English, Equitation, Dressage, Jumping, Reining, Horsemanship, Halter Showmanship.

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business, 1972
Arizona State University - Phoenix, AZ - USA
-Business Major with a Minor in English
-Multi-Lingual moderate in Spanish
-Continuing Education in multiple fields of interest