Santa Rosa equestrian denies horse abuse charges

<p>A former Olympic equestrian competitor from Santa Rosa pleaded not guilty in Sonoma County Superior Court on Thursday to a felony charge of animal cruelty for her alleged treatment of a thoroughbred mare named Valerie.</p><p>Gwen Stockebrand, 57, is accused of depriving the horse of care from June 1 to Sept. 8. The complaint filed Dec. 14 says she failed to provide sustenance and drink.</p><p>Volunteers nursed the horse back to health after a veterinarian recommended that it be euthanized.</p><p>Stockebrand belonged to several U.S. equestrian teams and competed in the Olympics, the World Championships and the Pan American Games.</p><p>She declined comment Thursday.</p><p>Prosecutors had offered Stockebrand a deal that included her not owning or caring for horses in exchange for her pleading guilty to the charge. But that offer has since expired.</p><p>On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Ken Gnoss denied her attorney's motion to dismiss the case.</p><p>Robert Weems of Fairfax said his challenge was made based on the wording of the complaint.</p><p>Gnoss set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 9.</p><p>Contact Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 and derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com.</p>