SOLICITOR Alison Goodwin says she is willing to travel to see horse owners, breeders, dressage and racing yards to try to resolve equine disputes.

As a keen horse rider, Alison says she is uniquely placed as head of the specialist new equine service launched by law firm Harrison Clark.

“I am in the enviable position of combining work with pleasure,” said Alison, aged 32.

“I wanted to make horses my profession but soon realised there was no money in it.I went to ride in Australia, met my uncle who is a lawyer and decided to link my passion for horses with law.”

Alison, who lives with her farmer husband in Herefordshire, said: “I know many people in the equine world of racing and dressage so I can be out and about with people advising on such things as buying and selling disputes, negligence claims, loaning horses and livery and sale agreements.”

The daughter of a veterinary surgeon, Alison will work with her team of specialist solicitors – all with sound, practical knowledge of the equine industry – to serve equine communities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

She was brought up in Herefordshire and represented the local pony club on a number of teams, including qualifying for the national championships for both dressage and eventing.

Alison then spent a year working and riding for an international three-day event rider, as well as travelling, before embarking upon her legal career.

“Being the daughter of a local veterinary surgeon and growing up in the countryside meant I had a passion for animals – horses in particular – from a very early age,” she said.

“I have a thorough understanding of the trials and tribulations of owning horses and this, combined with my 10 years’ experience in the legal field, means I have a good understanding of the issues affecting the equine community.

“Owning a horse can also be a considerable investment in time, effort, emotion and finances.

“When matters go wrong, you need trusted, specialist advice from an expert who knows the equine field inside out and can deliver the right advice for you, first time.”

Equine legal services can include loan agreements, disputes relating to horses and disputes relating to the sale and purchase of a horse or pony, preparation of livery agreements and disputes, negligence claims against veterinary professionals, Public Liability and Animals Act 1971 cases, and advice relating to divorce and relationship breakdown where horse ownership is involved.

Alison gained a first-class law degree in 2003 and trained with Rickerbys solicitors in Cheltenham before returning to Hereford in 2006, where she lives on the family farm along with three children and a number of horses and dogs.

In her spare time, Alison enjoys riding, walking the dogs and running.