Appeals court scratches verdict in horse case

PORT AUSTIN, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan appeals court has thrown out a $15,000 verdict in a Huron County case that raised questions about why a horse suddenly galloped and threw the rider. A judge had ruled that the niece of the owner of Knoblock Stables increased the speed of the horses, which led to injuries for Whitney Fox. But the appeals court came to a different conclusion last week after looking at the record. The court says Judge Donald Teeple was mistaken. In a 3-0 decision, the court says Fox's own testimony shows she didn't know why the horses suddenly picked up speed while riding near Port Austin. The court says that stable operator Donald Knoblock is eligible to recover certain legal costs after winning the appeal. Published: Wed, Sep 03, 2014