Jennifer Bryant, a manager at Chaparral Corporation, a Bay Area horseback riding company, has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty by the Santa Clara County district attorney. The charge stems from the death of a horse named Honey, who was found emaciated and sickly during a hot July day in 2024. Despite prior veterinary recommendations for special care after Honey was found infested with lice in March 2024, the horse was not given proper treatment and later died at the company’s Milpitas ranch. Bryant faces up to one year in jail if convicted.

The Chaparral Corporation had its permit to operate horseback riding in Golden Gate Park revoked in May 2024 following a Standard investigation that revealed years of alleged animal abuse, supported by a 41-page whistleblower report from employees. The company also lost privileges at Yosemite’s Camp Mather. Public warnings about Chaparral’s mistreatment of horses had been made for years, and lawsuits involving one of the owners, Shawn Mott, date back to the early 2000s. Animal advocates and community members have expressed relief that legal action is being taken and hope for further scrutiny of the company’s owners.