17/10/2026
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM JBT EQUINE TRANSPORT LIMITED
Regarding Online Allegations, Harassment concerning the Incident Involving a Shetland Pony
JBT Equine Transport Limited is issuing this statement in response to concerns raised by our existing clients and supporters regarding allegations and hate comments being circulated about our business across social media.
We have been made aware that Emily Willis a Pony Dealer Trading under the name of “Cobbett Hill Ponies” has made a number of Malicious and false allegations posts online on various social media groups regarding an incident involving the transportation of a Shetland pony purchased from Emily Willis of Cobbett Hill Ponies. We strongly dispute these false allegations being made about our conduct and are deeply upset and concerned by the subsequent online activity of hate and threats directed towards our business and staff.
As the incident has been being dealt with by the police, we must be careful not to prejudice any ongoing investigation. We will therefore not disclose every detail publicly. However, we believe it is important to provide a factual account of the circumstances from our perspective.
Our account of the incident:
JBT Equine Transport Limited was booked by a client to transport a Shetland pony purchased from the seller (Emily Willis Trading as Cobbett Hill Ponies). Upon our arrival at the seller's property, Once we had turned around and parked up and dropped our ramp ready for loading.
Emily Willis Led the Shetland pony out to our horsebox, Emily Willis had provided and fitted the pony's headcollar and lead rope for transportation. The pony was then loaded by Emily Willis into our Stephex horse transport vehicle, Emily Willis then tied up the Shetland Pony with her lead rope she had provided and fitted to the tie ring in our vehicle, next to the haylage net.
The ramp was then shut, and Emily Willis then passed the Shetland Ponies Passport to JBT Staff.
A photograph of the loaded pony on our vehicle was then taken and sent to our client, together with an estimated arrival time for drop off.
JBT Equine Transport then began our journey, leaving the property through a locked yard electric gated enterance.
The Shetland Pony appeared unsettled and was fidgeting and pawing, when joining the main road outside the gates.
We promptly notified our client by message and hoped that the pony would settle as the journey progressed.
After travelling only a few miles down the road the pony began to rear and became caught up in her haynet by her lead rope attached to her head collar. JBT Equine Transport stopped immediately at a petrol station on the side of the road. Once the vehicle had come to a stop JBT Equine Transport staff members x2 immediately got out of the cab and entered the horse compartment at the rear of the vehicle to assist the pony and free her.
JBT Equine Transport staff observed an injury to the pony's eye, JBT Equine Transport immediately contacted our client (The New Owner) and explained what had happened and sought instructions. Our client asked us to return the pony to the seller's property.
JBT Equine Transport staff Carefully removed the Ponies head collar and lead rope safely to prevent further injury to the pony.
We then immediately travelled back to the sellers property (Emily Willis) who was expecting us.
What happened upon our return:
On returning to the seller's property, outside the sellers yard gates, our staff encountered a confrontation involving a man believed to be the seller's partner, who approached JBT Equine Transports Driver side of the Vehicle . Our staff report that they were subjected to verbal abuse and threats, and felt unsafe and intimated.
X2 members of JBT Equine Transports staff exited the cab and entered the horse compartment to check on the well being of the pony.
The seller Emily Willis subsequently appeared, and the confrontation continued, with false allegations being made against JBT Equine Transports Staff and more verbal threats of harm towards JBT Equine Transports Staff and property.
JBT Equine Transports main priority was unloading the injured pony from their vehicle, which was impossible due the threats being made.
JBT Equine Transport called 999 for police assistance immediately, the call handler talked through what to do with JBT Equine Transports driver whilst x2 members of JBT Equine Transports staff was in the horse compartment with the pony.
The police advised to turn the vehicle around to face the exit of the driveway outside the gates, so that we could safely and quickly unload the pony and leave the property immediately when safe to do so after without the risk of getting blocked in.
In light of the situation and the abuse and threats received with the concerns for our staff's safety, we did not feel it was appropriate to enter the property's electrically secured gates.
Our priority throughout this incident was the welfare of the pony and the safety of our staff.
Our position regarding the subsequent allegations:
Following the incident, we provided our client with a factual account of what had occurred.
We are extremely concerned by the allegations and commentary subsequently circulated online, which we believe give an inaccurate and misleading impression of the events. We firmly dispute the claims being made about our conduct.
We have also experienced a substantial number of calls and communications following the incident, which we consider threatening and intimidating. We are concerned by the volume and nature of the online hate comments and messages now being directed towards our staff and business.
We have retained relevant information and evidence, including communications and online material brought to our attention, and have passed information concerning these matters to the police for their consideration.
We will not engage in online arguments, public speculation or personal attacks. Nor will we publish material that could compromise the ongoing police investigation.
Our commitment to animal welfare and professional transport:
JBT Equine Transport Limited has 17 years of experience in equine transport. Throughout that time, we have worked hard to establish a business built on professionalism, care and the safe transportation of horses and ponies.
We use the best in the market of purpose-built equine transport vehicles and equipment and take the welfare of every animal in our care seriously. We treat every horse, pony and animal we transport with the care and attention we would want for our own.
We recognise how distressing an incident involving an animal can be. The welfare of the pony involved was important to us, and our actions were directed towards addressing the immediate situation and ensuring that she was safely returned, for immediate veterinary assessment.
Sadly this was delayed due to the actions of Emily Willis and her male partner.
A request to the public:
We respectfully ask people not to draw conclusions based on one-sided social media posts, to avoid sharing unverified allegations and to refrain from directing abusive or threatening messages towards our staff, our business or our families.
We understand that people may have strong feelings when animal welfare is involved. However, allegations should be considered fairly, and the facts should be established through the appropriate channels rather than through online speculation or harassment.
We will cooperate with the police as required and reserve our position regarding any further action that may be appropriate to protect our business, our staff and our reputation.
We would like to thank our loyal clients, supporters and professional contacts who have contacted us privately with their support and concern during this difficult time.
JBT Equine Transport Limited remains committed to providing professional, responsible and welfare-focused equine transport.
Thank you
JBT Equine Transport Limited Team
