About Daventry Appraisals

Tracy Dopko, BA, DipEqS, ISA CAPP
Appraiser & Equine Expert Witness

Considered one of the world's leading equine appraisers & expert witness, Tracy Dopko is a senior equine, livestock, farm equipment, and agricultural appraiser with the American Society of Agricultural Appraisers, certified member with the International Society of Appraisers, accredited senior member with the American Society of Appraisers, and a private investigator specializing in equine & livestock cases. She is also Vice Chair of the Personal Property Resource Panel for The Appraisal Foundation, which sets the U.S. congressionally authorized standards and qualifications for appraisers. Tracy was recently asked to speak at the 38th annual Conference on Equine Law in Kentucky regarding equine expert witnesses and equine appraisals.

Tracy is part of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) Private Client Services group, a program for appraisers who work with both High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) and gatekeepers specializing in private client services. Only 5% of ISA members make it into the Private Client Services program, which up until now, has consisted exclusively of high-end gems & jewelry, fine art, and antiques appraisers. Tracy is the first equine appraiser to be accepted. Her HNW clients include Grand Prix & Olympic competitors/owners, celebrities, high-profile investors, British royalty, and members of the Forbes list.

The owner/operator of Daventry Equestrian, Tracy showed successfully on the American and Canadian hunter/jumper circuit and dressage circuit for over 25 years, is an accomplished judge, and has been an avid breeder for the last 30 years. Tracy has also successfully shown in western pleasure, pleasure driving, Sport Horse, Welsh Pony and Arabian circuits and qualified for the Ariat US National Adult Medal Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Tracy has won over $50,000 in hunter earnings, produced countless hunter futurity, hunter classic & hunter derby winners, and has won over 100 A circuit championships in hunter, jumpers, and dressage, including several Canadian National and US National hunter titles. She has also won multiple National Championships in western pleasure and trail.

Daventry Farms opened in 1991, now known as Daventry Equestrian. Tracy taught the advanced lesson program, which incorporated dressage, hunter/jumper, and equitation training, until deciding to focus solely on training and resales. Tracy has been breeding Warmbloods, Welsh Ponies & Cobs, and Hunter Ponies for over 30 years, including hosting mare and stallion inspections at her farm for the ISR/Oldenburg Registry NA, Rheinland Pfalz Saar International (RPSI) and the German Westphalian Verband.

Besides showing and training, Tracy can be found judging and stewarding throughout the year in both Canada and the United States and holds multiple judging and stewarding cards with the United States Equestrian Federation, Equestrian Canada, and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). She is asked regularly to give judging clinics throughout North America and is the facilitator for Equestrian Canada's General Performance/Western and Hunter/Hack & Equitation judges clinic in Western Canada. Tracy is also a freelance writer for The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse Sport, and other equine publications.

Tracy runs a successful breeding operation, standing several stallions and managing a successful shipped semen operation with a high first-cycle conception rate each year. She freezes semen on all of the resident stallions, as well as performing palpations, ultrasounds, and embryo transfers on her own mares. Tracy has taken extensive courses in equine embryo transfer, equine ultrasound, and equine frozen semen with some of North America's most respected equine reproduction specialists.

Tracy recently completed both Civil & Criminal Expert Witness Certificates with the prestigious Cardiff University School of Law in the United Kingdom. Training included testifying several times as an expert witness during mock trials, submitting expert witness reports for grading, and intensive workshops on the strategies of being an expert witness.

Daventry Equine Appraisal Services is a division of Daventry Appraisal Services. Tracy has appraised some of the top show jumping and dressage horses around the world and has been hired globally as an equine expert and consultant on countless litigation cases. She is qualified as an equine expert in court proceedings in both Canada and the United States and has helped her clients win millions in litigation judgments and settlements. Tracy also works closely with several major insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada on death claim reimbursements and fraud investigations, has completed appraisals for multi-million dollar estate and insurance settlements, and IRS tax audits. Tracy's appraisals are considered qualified for legal purposes internationally and are known for their thoroughness and attention to detail. Combined with her background and credentials in the horse industry, Tracy's appraisals and expertise provide a valuable asset in the courtroom!

We take pride in our community involvement and have donated our services or offered greatly reduced services to the following worthy causes:
Marin Humane Society
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Special Olympics
The Ark Watch Foundation
The Akhal-Teke Foundation
The Livestock Conservancy

Background and Experience
Over three decades of involvement with the equine industry, which includes;

Competitor, trainer & coach on the recognized hunter/jumper & dressage circuits, as well as various open/breed circuits (1986-present)
Owner of Daventry Equestrian (1991-present)
Owner of Daventry Equine Appraisal Services (1998-present)
Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Official (2021-present)
Recognized judge, technical delegate & clinician with United States Equestrian Federation (2007-present)
Senior judge, steward & clinician with Equestrian Canada (2006-present)
Alberta Government Green Certificate Program Equine Examiner (2015-present)
University of Guelph Equine Studies Program Instructor (2017-present)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) Equine Appraiser (2020-present)

Read more about Tracy's equine experience with various breeds HERE.

Education

2024 Family Law Expert Witness Certificate, Cardiff University School of Law, United Kingdom
2024 Criminal Expert Witness Certificate, Cardiff University School of Law, United Kingdom
2022 Civil Expert Witness Certificate, Cardiff University School of Law, United Kingdom
2022 Foundations in Agricultural Management Certificate, University of Guelph
2021 Equine Facility Management Certificate, University of Guelph
2021 Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate, University of Guelph
2019 Equine Welfare Certificate with distinction, University of Guelph
2017 Bachelor of Arts Degree with distinction (focus: Criminal Justice and Public Policy), University of Guelph
2013 Equine Studies Diploma with distinction, University of Guelph
2013 Equine Business Management Certificate with distinction, University of Guelph
2013 Equine Science Certificate with distinction, University of Guelph

Current Memberships

American Society of Appraisers, Accredited Senior Member
International Society of Appraisers, Certified Member
American Society of Equine Appraisers, Senior Member
American Society of Farm Equipment Appraisers, Senior Member
American Society of Agricultural Appraisers, Senior Member
International Society of Livestock Appraisers, Senior Member
Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group
International Society of Appraisers Canada
UK National Register of University Certificated Expert Witnesses
Fédération Equestre Internationale
Equestrian Canada Life Member
US Equestrian
United States Dressage Federation
United States Hunter Jumper Association
Equestrian Vaulting USA
American Quarter Horse Association
American Paint Horse Association
Arabian Horse Association
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Life Member
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Canada
Alberta Equestrian Federation

Credentials

University of Guelph Equine Studies Diploma Program Instructor
FEI L1 Jumper Steward
FEI L1 Para-Dressage Steward
FEI L1 Vaulting Steward
USEF Registered Hunter Judge
USEF Registered Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judge
USEF Registered Hunter Breeding Judge
USEF Registered Welsh Judge
USEF Registered Western Judge
USEF Registered Connemara Judge
USEF Registered Vaulting Technical Delegate
Equestrian Canada Senior Hunter Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior Hack Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior Hunt Seat Equitation Judge
Equestrian Canada Recorded Jumper Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior Welsh Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior General Performance Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior Western Judge
Equestrian Canada Senior Breed Sport Judge
(American Saddlebred, Arabian, Hackney, Morgan, Road Horse & Saddle Seat Equitation)
Equestrian Canada Senior Steward
Equestrian Canada Medium Dressage & Para-Dressage Steward
Color Breed Council Approved Judge
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Approved Judge
Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America Technical Delegate
Arabian Horse Association Show Steward
VaultCanada Steward
Canadian Trakehner Horse Society Inspector
Canadian Connemara Pony Society Inspector
Alberta Government Green Certificate Program Equine Examiner
Clinician for Equestrian Canada General Performance clinics in Western Canada
Clinician for Equestrian Canada Hunter & Equitation clinics in Western Canada

Speaking Engagements

The Value & Importance of Equine Appraisals, 2024 American Horse Council
The Art & Science of Equine Appraisals, 2024 38th annual Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Kentucky
Appraisal, Valuation, and Damage Issues Unique to Equine Litigation, 2024 38th annual Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Kentucky
Equine Health & Welfare, 2024 Saskatchewan Horse Federation AGM, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tips for Canadian Appraisers Completing IRS Charitable Donation Appraisals, 2022 International Society of Appraisers Canadian Chapter webinar
Appraising Do's and Don'ts, 2022 International Society of Appraisers Knowledge Sharing Presentation
Equine Health & Welfare and Coaching, 2022 Saskatchewan Horse Federation Coaching Symposium, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Online Coaching: Getting Started with Virtual Coaching and Training, 2020 University of Guelph webinar

Current Committee Positions

The Appraisal Foundation Personal Property Resource Panel Vice Chair
The Appraisal Foundation Personal Property Qualifications Task Force
International Society of Appraisers Board of Directors
International Society of Appraisers Canadian Chapter Secretary
ISA Education Foundation Technology Officer
Equestrian Canada Chair General Performance Committee
Equestrian Canada Health & Welfare Committee
United States Equestrian Federation Welsh Committee

Published Articles

Could The IRS Deny Your Horse Donation? (The Chronicle of the Horse, February 2024)
The Human Safety Factor at Horse Shows (Horse Sport, January 2024)
Wildfires, Air Quality and Horse Health (Horse Sport, May 2023)
Used Horse Trailers and Liens: Buyer Beware! (Horse Sport, April 2023)
Tips for Canadian and Foreign Appraisers Completing IRS Charitable Donation Appraisals (International Society of Appraisers, December 2021)
Horses Are Not Bicycles: Wear the Right Helmet (Horse Canada, September 2021)
The Shock Factor: When Waterers Bite Back (The Chronicle of the Horse, January 2021)
High Effort, Low Profit: Tips on Turning Your Equestrian Business Around (Horse Talk New Zealand, January 2021)
If You Build It, They Will Come...Or Will They? (Horse Canada, December 2020)
Virtual Coaching: The Socially-Distanced Lesson Solution (Horse Sport, May 2020)
Hunter Myths: Separating Truth From Fiction (The Chronicle of the Horse, May 2019)
15 Questions to Ask Potential Equine Appraisers for Equine Litigation (Horse Authority, February 2019)
What does an Equine Appraiser Do? (Horse Authority, December 2018)
Maintaining Your Equine Insurance Policy (Horse Authority, August 2018)
The Zen Approach to Buying Equine Insurance (Horse Authority, July 2018)
How to Find Your Best Equine Insurance (Horse Authority, March 2018)
The Fine Print: How Well Do You Know Your Equine Insurance Policy? (HorseSport Magazine, August 2017)
Playing By The Rules: The Role of the Horse Show Steward (HorseSport Magazine, November 2016)
Are Horses Inherently Vicious? Recent Developments in Connecticut Court Case (HorseSport Magazine, July 2014)
The "S" Word - The Facts on Strangles (AlbertaHorse, 2013)
Sending Your Horse For Training (Welsh In Canada Magazine, 2007)

Courses & Clinics Completed

2024 Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference
2024 FEI Vaulting Stewards Clinic
2024 Questions, Pitfalls, and Guidance in Purchasing Frozen for Successful Use, United States Sport Horse Breeders Association
2024 Bookkeeping Basics for Equine Businesses, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2024 Sales and Boarding Contracts for Equine Businesses, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2024 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2024 United States Equestrian Federation Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic
2024 FEI Jumper Steward Clinic, Florida
2024 Advanced Equine Reproductive Techniques webinar with Dr. Kristen Loncar
2024 Sales and Boarding Contracts for Equine Businesses, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2024 How to Navigate IRS Appraisals in 2024
2024 7-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Personal Property Updating Course
2023 Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference
2023 FEI Vaulting Stewards Clinic
2023 FEI Para-Dressage Steward Clinic
2023 United States Equestrian Federation Vaulting Technical Delegate Clinic
2023 American Society of Appraisers 3-Day Report Writing Course
2023 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2023 Equestrian Canada Hunter/Jumper Course Designers Clinic
2023 State of the Profession: A Discussion with the Appraisal Foundation and Appraisal Subcommittee Webinar
2023 USEF Vaulting Technical Delegate Clinic
2023 Equestrian Canada General Stewards Clinic
2022 Equestrian Canada National Hunter, Hack & Equitation Judging Clinic
2022 Economic Conditions and Impact of Inflation, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2022 Equine Biosecurity Best Practices Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2022 Hunter Derby Forum, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2022 USEF Connemara Judges Clinic
2022 Colorado State University Stallion Frozen Semen Course
2022 Colorado State University Equine Embryo Transfer Course
2022 Sport Horse Lameness/Injury Prevention & Care, University of Guelph
2022 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2022 Know the Numbers Webinar, International Society of Appraisers
2022 International Society of Appraisers Virtual Conference
2022 Foundations in Agricultural Management Certificate, University of Guelph
2022 Team USA SafeSport Course
2022 7-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Personal Property Updating Course
2022 Predator Compensation Investigations Webinar, Alberta Lamb Producers
2022 Expected Progeny Differences Webinar, Alpaca Owners Association
2021 FEI Jumper Steward Clinic, Florida
2021 Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate, University of Guelph
2021 Equine First Aid, University of Guelph
2021 Trailer Safety Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2021 USDF Apprentice Technical Delegate Clinic, United States Dressage Federation
2021 Equestrian Canada Jumper Judges Clinic
2021 International Society for Equitation Science Virtual Conference
2021 Barn Fire Safety and Prevention Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2021 FEI Foundation Course for Vaulting Officials
2021 FEI Foundation Course for Jumping Officials
2021 Equine Facility Management Certificate, University of Guelph
2021 Sickness Prevention in Horses, University of Guelph
2021 Why Freeze? Melting the Myths Around Frozen Semen, Tullis Matson
2021 All About ICSI, Tullis Matson
2021 Appraising in the World of High-Net-Worth Individuals Webinar Series, International Society of Appraisers
2021 Diminution of Value Webinar Series, International Society of Appraisers
2021 35th Annual National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2021 Equine Embryo Transfer Webinar, British Breeding Series
2021 Common Diseases That Threaten Your Horse Webinar, Michigan State University
2021 Equine Infectious Diseases and Bio Security Best Practices Webinar, The Royal Horse Show
2021 International Society of Appraisers Virtual Conference
2021 Foaling The Mare Webinar, British Breeding Series
2021 Loose Jumping the Brendon Way Webinar, British Breeding
2021 Young Jumper Course Design Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2021 National Disease Surveillance and Welfare Webinar, Equestrian Canada
2021 Fire & Emergency Preparedness, University of Guelph
2021 Team USA SafeSport Course
2021 Genetic Preservation & Animal Cloning Webinar, British Breeding
2021 Schooling Rules and Schooling Ring Etiquette Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Fine-Tuning Your Liability Waivers/Releases Webinar, Julie Fershtman
2020 Medical Equipment and the Personal Property Appraiser, International Society of Appraisers
2020 Hunter Ideal Hooves and Common Issues in H/J Equines Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Semen Assessment Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 United States Dressage Federation University Diamond Diploma
2020 United States Dressage Federation Technical Delegate Modules
2020 Biosecurity For Horses, Michigan State University
2020 Trail Riding 101, Michigan State University
2020 Purchasing and Owning a Horse 101, Michigan State University
2020 United States Dressage Federation L Education Program Continuing Education
2020 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2020 Jumper Judge Perspective Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Team USA SafeSport Refresher 3 Course
2020 Managing the Sub-fertile Stallion Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 All About Embryo Transfers Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 Processing Frozen Semen Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 International Valuation Standards Course
2020 15-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Personal Property Course
2020 Equitation: An Overview, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Semen Processing Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 Semen Collection Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 Stallion Management Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 Stewarding National Para-Dressage Webinar
2020 52-Hour Core Course in Appraisal Studies, International Society of Appraisers
2020 Hunter Breeding 101 Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Bookkeeping In The Booth Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Equestrian Canada Trends In Dressage Webinar with Cara Witham & Elizabeth McMullen
2020 New Technologies in Breeding Webinar, Tullis Matson
2020 Insights From The Hunter Judge Webinar, United States Hunter Jumper Association
2020 Equestrian Canada Dressage Training with Tina & Jaimey Irwin Webinar
2020 United States Equestrian Federation Hunter & Hunt Seat Equitation Judges Clinic, Florida
2020 United States Equestrian Federation Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic, Florida
2020 4-Day Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group Appraisal Seminar, Alberta
2019 Contract Essentials for Horse Professionals Webinar
2019 7-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course
2019 USEF Competition Manager Online Training
2019 Equestrian Canada General Stewards Clinic
2019 Equestrian Canada Dressage Stewards Clinic
2019 United States Equestrian Federation Andalusian/Lusitano Judges Clinic
2019 FEI Campus Jumping Judges Level 1
2019 FEI Campus Vaulting Level 1
2019 FEI Campus Handling in Challenging Situations
2019 Equine Welfare and Management, UC Davis
2019 Genetic Testing in Horses, Michigan State University
2019 USEF Vaulting Technical Delegate Clinic
2019 Equine Welfare Certificate (with distinction), University of Guelph
2019 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2019 USEF Friesian Judges Clinic
2019 Machinery & Equipment Appraisals, University of British Columbia
2019 Team USA SafeSport Refresher 2 Course
2018 Equestrian Canada Jumper Judges Clinic
2018 Professional Investigator Training Course, Columbia College
2018 FEI Campus Equine Behavior
2018 FEI Campus Horsemanship Study
2018 FEI Campus Equine Identification and Passports
2018 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2017 Equestrian Canada Dressage Stewards Clinic
2017 Equestrian Canada General Stewards Clinic
2017 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2017 Team USA SafeSport Refresher 1 Course
2017 7-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course
2016 National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2015 Equine Canada National Stewards Clinic
2015 Equine Canada National Hunter, Hack & Equitation Judging Clinic
2015 Equine Canada Jumper Judges Clinic
2015 30th Annual National Conference on Equine Law, University of Kentucky
2015 Team USA SafeSport Course
2015 55-Hour American Society of Equine Appraisers Advanced Principles of Valuation
2015 15-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course
2014 United States Equestrian Federation Andalusian/Lusitano Judges Clinic
2014 United States Equestrian Federation Hunter & Hunt Seat Equitation Judges Clinic
2014 United States Equestrian Federation National Show Horse Judges Clinic
2014 United States Equestrian Federation Hunter Breeding Judges Clinic
2014 United States Equestrian Federation Saddle Seat Equitation Judges Clinic
2014 Equine Embryo Transfer Course, Equine-Reproduction.com LLC
2014 Equine Frozen Semen, Equine-Reproduction.com LLC
2013 27th Annual National Conference on Equine Law
2013 Equine Studies Diploma (with distinction), University of Guelph
2013 Equine Science Certificate (with distinction), University of Guelph
2013 Equine Business Management Certificate (with distinction), University of Guelph
2013 United States Equestrian Federation Friesian Judges Clinic
2013 Advances in Equine Genetics, University of Minnesota
2013 Equine Nutrition, University of Edinburgh
2013 Horse Behaviour and Safety Program, University of Guelph
2012 Equine Canada National General Performance Judging Clinic
2012 5-Day One-On-One Training at Equine-Reproduction.com LLC
2012 3-Day Equine Ultrasounding at Equine-Reproduction.com LLC
2012 3-Day Equine Frozen Semen at Equine-Reproduction.com LLC
2012 The Breeder's Assistant 3-Day Equine Embryo Transfer Course
2012 The Breeder's Assistant 2-Day Ultrasound Workshop
2012 The Breeder's Assistant Uterine Flush/Deep Horn Insemination
2010 Equine Canada National Hunter, Hack & Equitation Judging Clinic
2010 15-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course
2010 35-Hour American Society of Agricultural Appraisers Principles of Valuation
2009 Connemara History Clinic with Tomás MacLochlainn
2009 Connemara Breed Type & Conformation Clinic with Tomás MacLochlainn
2009 Pleasure & Carriage Driving Clinic, Texas
2008 Equine Canada National Jumper Judging Clinic
2008 Equine Canada National General Performance Judging Clinic
2008 Equine Canada National Hunter, Hack & Equitation Judging Clinic
2007 Draft Driving Clinic, Minnesota
2005 Equine Canada National Hunter, Hack & Equitation Judging Clinic
2005 Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Alberta Judging Clinic
2005 Horse Breeders School, Olds College
2005 Transported Semen, Olds College
2005 Fundamentals of Frozen Semen, Olds College
1994 National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)

About Daventry Appraisals

Tracy Dopko, BA, DipEqS, ISA CAPP Appraiser & Equine Expert Witness

Customer Reviews

Tracy Dopko, BA, DipEqS, ISA CAPP
Appraiser & Equine Expert Witness