Tamara Lynn Ramaker v. Jeanette Abbe, Gary Hobbs, Denise Lackey, Shelly Mattson, Stacy McCoy, Anita Paniagua and Amber Ross ( 2013 )

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-10-00713-CV
Tamara Lynn Ramaker, Appellant
v.
Jeanette Abbe, Gary Hobbs, Denise Lackey, Shelly Mattson, Stacy McCoy, Anita Paniagua
and Amber Ross, Appellees
FROM THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. 4 OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
NO. 09-0633-CC4, HONORABLE JOHN MCMASTER, JUDGE PRESIDING
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Tamara Lynn Ramaker appeals from the judgment that she take nothing by her claims
for breach of contract against appellees Jeanette Abbe, Gary Hobbs, Denise Lackey, Shelly Mattson,
Stacy McCoy, Anita Paniagua and Amber Ross, and that appellees recover $5,000 in attorney’s fees
from her. On appeal, Ramaker challenges the trial court’s determinations that the appellees
were justified in repudiating their boarding contracts based on a breach by Ramaker and
that appellees were entitled to attorney’s fees. Ramaker also contends that the trial court erred by
concluding that Ross, an instructor who taught horse-riding lessons at appellant’s stable, did not
breach a Riding Instructor Agreement between them. We will affirm the judgment with respect to
the Boarding Contract, reverse the judgment with respect to the Riding Instructor Agreement and
the attorney’s fees award, and remand this cause to the trial court for further proceedings.
BACKGROUND
Appellee Ross gave horse-riding lessons for the other appellees and arranged to board
appellees’ horses at Ramaker’s stables. Ross’s lessons were covered by a written Riding Instructor
Agreement that required Ross to pay a fee when she taught a lesson at Ramaker’s stables. The
prescribed fee varied depending on the number of students, whether the horses were boarded at
Ramaker’s stables, and the length of the lesson. The agreement also stated that any additions or
changes to the agreement had to be made in writing.
Ross did not pay any fees to Ramaker for lessons she conducted at Ramaker’s
stables in March 2009. Ross testified that she and Ramaker modified the agreement via email to
provide that Ross’s obligation to pay lesson fees arose only if the student paid a fee for a particular
lesson in addition to the general training fee Ross charged. These emails were not offered as
evidence at trial.
The boarding of appellees’ horses was covered by a separate written agreement. The
Boarding Contract permitted Ramaker to terminate the contract at her discretion, but required
boarders to give 30 days written notice before terminating payment. The Boarding Contract also
states as follows:
12. RULES AND REGULATIONS—The Owner [of a boarded horse] agrees to
abide by all the rules and regulations of the Stable and acknowledges receipt of same.
Rules are posted on the bulletin boards and are subject to change. Updates will be
posted on the bulletin board and/or via e-mail. Observance of the rules is absolutely
mandatory and failure to obey the rules will result in Owner and horse(s) being asked
to leave the Stables immediately and obtain boarding elsewhere.
The “Safety” section of the stable’s rules and regulations states plainly: “No smoking in the barns.”
2
After a boarder saw and photographed Ramaker’s employee smoking while
working in the barn, appellees removed their horses from the stables. They did not give 30 days
notice before leaving and did not pay for the month after removing their horses as prescribed by the
Boarding Contract.
Appellees filed suit, seeking declarations that (1) the boarding contracts are
illusory and/or unenforceable, (2) Ramaker, not appellees, breached the boarding contracts,
and (3) appellees do not owe Ramaker under the boarding contract. Ramaker filed counterclaims,
alleging that (1) appellees breached their boarding contracts by removing their horses without notice
and failing to pay required fees, (2) appellees made promises on which Ramaker relied by hiring
workers and buying supplies, (3) appellees Ross and Mattson willfully and intentionally induced
the remaining appellees to breach their contracts, (4) appellees conspired to interfere with each
others’ contracts by organizing the relocation of the horses to another boarding facility, and (5) Ross
breached the Riding Instructor Agreement by failing to pay facility-use fees based on the number of
lessons given.
After hearing testimony and admitting evidence in a brief bench trial, the trial court
rendered a judgment declaring that Ramaker (and not the appellees) breached the riding-instructor
agreement and the boarding contracts, concluding that Ramaker take nothing by her counterclaims,
and awarding appellees $5,000 in attorney’s fees without specifying a basis for the award.
DISCUSSION
Ramaker contends that the trial court erred by concluding that appellees were justified
in repudiating their boarding contracts based on a breach by Ramaker, that Ross did not breach
the Riding Instructor Agreement between them, and that appellees were entitled to attorney’s fees.
3
In her reply brief, Ramaker asserts that the declaratory judgment act is not a proper vehicle for
attorney’s fees in this case.
Because this was a non-jury trial in which no findings of fact or conclusions of law
were filed, we must presume that the trial court made all the necessary findings to support its
judgment. See Pharo v. Chambers Cnty., 922 S.W.2d 945, 948 (Tex. 1996). We must affirm the
trial court judgment on any legal theory that finds support in the evidence. See Worford v. Stamper,
801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990). In a trial to the court in which no findings of fact or conclusions
of law are filed, the trial court’s judgment implies all findings of fact necessary to support it. Spir
Star AG v. Kimich, 310 S.W.3d 868, 871-72 (Tex. 2010). When a reporter’s record is filed,
however, these implied findings are not conclusive, and an appellant may challenge them by
raising sufficiency of the evidence issues. Sixth RMA Partners, L.P. v. Sibley, 111 S.W.3d 46, 52
(Tex. 2003). When such issues are raised, the applicable standard of review is the same as that to
be applied in the review of jury findings or a trial court’s findings of fact. Roberson v. Robinson,
768 S.W.2d 280, 281 (Tex. 1989).
The Boarding Contract
Ramaker contends that the trial court erred by finding that appellees were justified
in repudiating their boarding contracts based on a breach by Ramaker. She contends that appellees
failed to show that she materially breached the contract as required to permit their noncompliance
with the contract. See Lazy M Ranch, Ltd. v. TXI Ops., LP, 978 S.W.2d 678 (Tex. App.—Austin
1998, pet. denied).
When one party to a contract commits a material breach of that contract, the
other party is discharged or excused from further performance. Mustang Pipeline Co. v. Driver
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Pipeline Co., 134 S.W.3d 195, 196 (Tex. 2004). The covenant breached must be part of mutually
dependent promises in order to excuse further performance by the nonbreaching party. Hanks
v. GAB Bus. Servs., Inc., 644 S.W.2d 707, 708 (Tex. 1982). Generally, the issue of whether a breach
rises to the level of a material breach that will render the contract unenforceable presents a dispute
for resolution by the trier of fact. Hiles v. Arnie & Co., P.C., 14-12-00088-CV, 2013 WL 2120658,
*8 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 25, 2013, pet. filed) (citing Cont’l Dredging, Inc. v. De-
Kaizered, Inc., 120 S.W.3d 380, 394-95 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, pet. denied). The
determination of whether a breach is a material breach of the contract necessarily turns on
the facts of each case. Advance Components, Inc. v. Goodstein, 608 S.W.2d 737, 739 (Tex. Civ.
App.—Dallas 1980, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (citing Bowen v. Briscoe, 453 S.W.2d 287, 289 (Tex.1970)).
Citing the Restatement (Second) of Contracts, section 241 (1981), the Texas Supreme Court noted
five circumstances significant in determining whether a failure to perform is material:
(a) the extent to which the injured party will be deprived of the benefit which he
reasonably expected;
(b) the extent to which the injured party can be adequately compensated for the part
of that benefit of which he will be deprived;
(c) the extent to which the party failing to perform or to offer to perform will suffer
forfeiture;
(d) the likelihood that the party failing to perform or to offer to perform will cure his
failure, taking account of the circumstances including any reasonable assurances;
(e) the extent to which the behavior of the party failing to perform or to offer to
perform comports with standards of good faith and fair dealing.
Mustang Pipeline, 134 S.W.3d at 199. Another factor relevant to assessing the materiality of the
breach is the extent to which it reasonably appears to the injured party that delay may prevent
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or hinder him in making reasonable substitute arrangements. Id. (citing Restatement (Second) of
Contracts § 242 (1981)).
Although Ramaker did not expressly challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, her
complaint that the trial court erred by finding a material breach implicates the sufficiency of the
evidence. When reviewing legal sufficiency of the evidence, we review the evidence in the light
most favorable to the challenged finding and indulge every reasonable inference that would support
it. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 822 (Tex. 2005). We must credit evidence favorable
to the trial court’s decision if a reasonable factfinder could and disregard all contrary evidence that
a reasonable factfinder could ignore. Id. at 827. We will sustain a no-evidence complaint when
the record shows that (1) there is a complete absence of a vital fact, (2) the court is barred by law
or the rules of evidence from considering the only evidence offered to prove a vital fact, (3) the
evidence offered to prove a vital fact is no more than a mere scintilla, or (4) the evidence
conclusively establishes the opposite of a vital fact. Service Corp. Int’l v. Guerra, 348 S.W.3d 221,
228 (Tex. 2011). More than a scintilla of evidence exists if the evidence “rises to a level that would
enable reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their conclusions.” Id. When a party attacks
the factual sufficiency of the evidence on an adverse finding on an issue upon which the other party
had the burden of proof, the attacking party must show that the evidence is insufficient to
support the finding. McMillin v. State Farm Lloyds, 180 S.W.3d 183, 201 (Tex. App.—Austin 2005,
pet. denied). We must consider and weigh all the evidence, and we should set aside the judgment
only if it is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong. Cain
v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986).
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Ramaker contends that the prohibition on smoking was not a condition of the contract
and that its violation by a stable employee was not material so as to justify cancellation of the
contract. She relies on this formulation of the applicable law:
If the terms of a contract are fairly susceptible of an interpretation which will prevent
a forfeiture, they will be so construed. . . . Unless the consideration in a contract is
expressed in terms which unmistakably will demand a forfeiture for nonperformance,
a mere breach of such terms will not authorize the cancellation of the contract.
Henshaw v. Texas Natural Res. Found., 216 S.W.2d 566, 570 (Tex. 1949); see also Reilly v. Rangers
Mgmt., Inc., 727 S.W.2d 527, 530 (Tex. 1987). In a more recent case, the Texas Supreme Court
explained further that a “covenant, as distinguished from a condition precedent, is an agreement to
act or refrain from acting in a certain way. Breach of a covenant may give rise to a cause of action
for damages, but does not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions of the contract unless
the breach is a material or total breach.” Solar Applications Eng’g, Inc. v. T.A. Operating Corp.,
327 S.W.3d 104, 108 (Tex. 2010) (citation omitted) (emphasis added).1 Forfeitures will be
avoided unless contract language admits of no other construction or results in a construction
that is unreasonable, inequitable, or oppressive. Lazy M Ranch, 978 S.W.2d at 681 (citing Reilly,
727 S.W.2d at 530).
1
Ramaker also contends that appellees’ claim fails because they proved no damages.
Appellees did not seek damages, however, only a declaration that they were excused from further
performance by Ramaker’s material breach of the contract. The Texas Supreme Court’s formulation
of the standard for finding a material breach that excuses further performance does not require a
finding of actual damages. See Mustang Pipeline Co., Inc. v. Driver Pipeline Co., Inc., 134 S.W.3d
195, 199 (Tex. 2004); see also Hernandez v. Gulf Group Lloyds, 875 S.W.2d 691, 693 (Tex. 1994).
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The trial court concluded that Ramaker materially breached the contract, but did not
make written findings or conclusions. We must make findings necessary to support the judgment
so long as those findings are supported by the record. Worford, 801 S.W.2d at 109.2
Legally and factually sufficient evidence supports an implied finding that the safety
and security of the horses—specifically, protection from fire caused by cigarette smoking—was
part of the contract between the boarders and Ramaker. The Boarding Contract provided that “Stable
agrees to provide adequate feed and facilities for normal and reasonable care required to maintain
the health and well-being of the horse(s). . . . The standard of care applicable to stable is that of
ordinary care of a prudent horse owner.” The Boarding Contract incorporates the rules into its terms
by providing that the horse owner “agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations of the stable. . . .
Observance of the rules is absolutely mandatory and failure to obey the rules will result in Owner
2
Although there are no written findings of fact or conclusions of law, the court stated the
following on the record at the end of the trial
Now, it is reasonable for the Court to assume that one of the primary reasons that
people, or one of the primary concerns that’s in peoples’ minds when they board their
animals, which I understand are precious to them, is that those animals be in a safe,
secure place. . . . Ramaker Stables, [made] a rule about no smoking very clear under
No. 15 under Safety, you shall not smoke . . . I find that Ms. Ramaker broke her own
rule. Her employees act as her agents, they are an extension of her. . . . [The] Court
finds that there was a material breach in the contract by Ms. Ramaker causing these
people to believe that their animals are no longer housed in a safe and secure
location. Therefore, their immediate removal of those animals the Court finds as a
reasonable response to that, to what they had witnessed.
This statement contains factual findings not made in the written judgment. We are not bound by
the court’s oral statement because the written judgment controls over the oral statement. See
Thomas v. Martinez, 217 S.W.3d 680, 684 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007, no pet.); Nine Greenway Ltd.
v. Heard, Goggan, Blair & Williams, 875 S.W.2d 784, 787 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1994,
writ denied). We can, however, infer findings and conclusions that support the judgment and are
supported by the record. Worford v. Stamper, 801 S.W.2d 108, 109 (Tex. 1990).
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and horse(s) being asked to leave the Stables immediately and obtain boarding elsewhere.” The
stables would not refund rents paid if the stables requested the boarder to leave. The Ramaker
Stables Rules and Regulations stated in its preamble in part as follows: “These rules are an
extension of your boarding contract. Non-compliance is a breach of contract. Observance of these
rules is absolutely mandatory.” The rules are a mix of directives to “you” owners and objective
declarations of rules of the stables. There is no provision directly addressing whether stablehands
are bound or exempt from the rules, but the clear implication—at least of objectively stated
rules—is that all persons at the stables are bound by them. Rule 15 provided in relevant part as
follows: “Safety—Absolute[ly] NO GLASS is allowed on the premises. No alcoholic drinking
while riding. If any medication you[] are taking states not to drive or may cause[] drowsiness, do
not ride either. No smoking in the barns.” The smoking ban is not limited to the horse owners but
is stated as a general prohibition. The record supports an implicit finding that the smoking ban
applied to everyone in the barn, including Ramaker and her employees.
The parties disputed whether the stablehand smoking in the barn was a minor issue
or was inconsistent with a core service of the stables—maintaining the health and well-being of the
horses as would a prudent horse owner. Ramaker agreed when testifying that her “sole job in taking
in other’s animals for boarding is to give those animals a safe place to live,” and agreed that “fire is
a danger to the care and safety of horses.” But she asserted that the smoking ban was based on her
preference, “not a safety issue.” She downplayed the risk posed by the smoking employee, noting
that he was standing on a concrete surface—albeit leaning into a stall—and held a garden hose.
Ramaker also produced an email from appellee Denise Lackey that Ramaker argues shows that
disputes over the proper amount of shavings for Lackey’s horse’s stall floor were a much bigger
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factor in Lackey’s departure than the smoking incident. Lackey began the email talking about
the shavings, but also wrote as follows: “Of even more importance, you also breached your own
contract by knowingly allowing your staff and others to smoke in the barn, (witnessed by myself and
well documented) where my horse was stalled. This showed a willful disregard for the safety of my
horse and my own safety when I was on the premises.” Other witnesses characterized the smoking
ban as a safety-driven rule. Horse owner Jeanette Abbe testified that “it is very unsafe for a horse
to be in an area that they’re smoking.” Abbe testified that, when she learned a stablehand was
smoking on the premises, she decided that her horse had to leave the stables no matter what because
of the danger. Her husband, Deryl Abbe, said he was concerned “that the barn could possibly catch
fire and my horse, locked in the stable, being unable to be removed.” Horse owner Shelly Mattson
testified that she panicked when she saw the employee smoking because she felt her horse was
in jeopardy. Mattson testified that she also saw Ramaker’s boyfriend smoking “out there.” When
appellees’ counsel asked a witness about the dangers of smoking, the court interjected, “As to
pitching a match on hay, the Court gets it.”
Legally and factually sufficient evidence support an implicit conclusion that the
stablehand’s violation of the smoking ban was a material breach of the contract. In exchange for the
boarders’ money, Ramaker agreed to maintain the health and well-being of the horses as would a
prudent owner. Smoking was forbidden by what the rules document itself termed a safety rule. The
boarders testified that the stablehand’s smoking in the barn left them concerned, panicked, and
believing that their horses were in danger of being trapped in a burning barn. This supports the
trial court’s determination that the boarders reasonably expected the Stable to comply with the safety
provisions of the contract. The deprivation of the benefit reasonably expected under the contract
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supports the trial court’s finding of a material breach. See Mustang Pipeline, 134 S.W.3d at 199
(citing Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 241(a)). The evidence also supports the conclusion that
monetary damages would not compensate the boarders. One owner testified that she felt she needed
to remove her horse “no matter what” because of the danger. The discrepancy between Ramaker’s
denial that smoking in the stable was a safety issue—despite the smoking ban being listed in
the “safety” paragraph of the rules—and the boarders’ concerns about fire supports a view
that Ramaker could not cure the problem to the boarders’ satisfaction. Ramaker testified that the
boarders’ departure inflicted unrecoverable losses for customized feed she had already purchased
for those horses and wages for an employee she had hired to care for them. The costs imposed on
Ramaker by her employee’s misdeed, however, are not so substantial as to outweigh the evidence
favoring the trial court’s finding that the stablehand smoking in the stable was a material breach that
excused the boarders from further compliance with the Boarding Contract. Cf. Mustang Pipeline,
134 S.W.3d at 199.
In addition to assessing this case pursuant to the Restatement’s factors adopted by the
supreme court, we conclude that the trial court did not err by implicitly concluding that the contract
is not fairly susceptible of an interpretation that bars a forfeiture. See Henshaw, 216 S.W.2d at 570.
Holding that the violation of the smoking ban was not material would impose an asymmetrical
relationship on the parties. The smoking ban is important to the contract—it is a rule that applies
without exception and its violation expressly permits immediate termination of the contract by
the stable. The failure of the contract to spell out the consequence of smoking by an employee
of the stables is not dispositive. The risks posed by smoking in the barn—including, as indicated
by the boarders, a fire capable of incinerating the horses in their stalls—are present whether the
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smoking is attributed to Ramaker or the boarders. The fact that the safety-driven no-smoking rule
was violated by an employee of the stables who is responsible for providing services to the horses
heightens the seriousness of the breach. There is no evidence presented that supports an
interpretation of the contract to have different consequences and remedies depending on which party
to the contract smokes in violation of the rules of the stable. To hold that the stables can terminate
the contract if a boarder smokes in the barn, but that a boarder lacks that remedy when a stablehand
commits the same violation, would be unreasonable, inequitable, and oppressive—factors that
indicate material breach. See Lazy M Ranch, 978 S.W.3d at 681. The trial court did not err by
implicitly concluding that, because violation of the smoking ban was a material breach of the
contract, it excused the boarders from further performance under the contract.
The Riding Instructor Agreement
Ramaker urges that we render judgment awarding her damages for Ross’s breach of
the Riding Instructor Agreement. She contends that no evidence supports the trial court’s conclusion
that Ross did not breach the Riding Instructor Agreement and that the only evidence is that Ross
breached it by failing to pay fees for lessons provided at the stables. On appeal, Ross contends that
the trial court implicitly found that she and Ramaker modified the Riding Instructor Agreement to
permit her to provide lessons without paying Ramaker if the student did not make a payment
specifically for the lesson.3
3
Ross did not expressly plead that the Riding Instructor Agreement was modified.
Contract modification is an affirmative defense, and parties must affirmatively plead any matter
constituting an avoidance or an affirmative defense or risk waiving the unpleaded matter. Tex. R.
Civ. P. 94; see Phillips v. Phillips, 820 S.W.2d 785, 789 (Tex. 1991). An unpleaded issue
nevertheless may be deemed tried by consent when evidence on the issue is developed under
circumstances indicating that both parties understood the issue was in the case, and the other party
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The elements of a breach-of-contract cause of action are that (1) a valid contract
existed between the parties; (2) one party performed or tendered performance; (3) the other
party breached the contract; and (4) the breach damaged the performing party. See C.W. 100 Louis
Henna, Ltd. v. El Chico Rest., L.P., 295 S.W.3d 748, 752 (Tex. App.—Austin 2009, no pet.). A
modification of a contract must satisfy the elements of a contract: a meeting of the minds supported
by consideration. Hathaway v. General Mills, Inc., 711 S.W.2d 227, 228 (Tex. 1986). Whether a
contract is modified depends on the parties’ intentions and is a question of fact. Id. at 228-29. The
burden of proving modification rests on the party asserting the modification. Id. at 229.
At trial, there was no dispute that the Riding Instructor Agreement was a valid
contract, that Ramaker permitted Ross to conduct lessons in her arena in March 2009, and that Ross
did not pay for those lessons. Unless Ross was somehow excused from paying facility-use fees for
those lessons, Ramaker was damaged in the amounts she was not paid for the lessons conducted.
Ross contends that the following testimony provides the necessary support for her
claim of modification:
A. I had emails back and forth with Ms. Tami Ramaker stating that if my current
agreements for my training includes my lesson fees and that if I did not get extra
compensation for those lessons then I would not give her compensation. And I had
a reply from her where she acknowledged that.
failed to make an appropriate complaint. Emerson Elec. v. American Permanent Ware, 201 S.W.3d
301, 309 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.). To determine whether an issue was tried by consent,
the reviewing court must examine the record, not merely for evidence of the issue, but for evidence
of trial of the issue. Id. A party who allows an issue to be tried by consent and who fails to raise the
lack of a pleading before submission of the case cannot later raise the pleading deficiency for the first
time on appeal. See Roark v. Stallworth Oil and Gas, Inc., 813 S.W.2d 492, 495 (Tex. 1991). There
was some testimony on the issue, but no argument regarding it. Appellant did not reply to appellees’
claim that the issue was tried by consent, focusing instead on the merits of the argument. We
likewise will address the merits.
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Q. All right. And that was the method you were operating under, correct?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you owe her any money?
A. No.
No emails concerning payment for lessons were offered or admitted with this testimony.
Ross’s testimony lacks any indication of consideration conveyed to Ramaker in
exchange for this alleged modification. Consideration is a bargained-for present exchange in return
for a promise. See Roark v. Stallworth Oil & Gas, Inc., 813 S.W.2d 492, 496 (Tex. 1991). When
a party agrees to do no more than that which she is already bound to do under an existing contract,
the original consideration for the existing contract is not sufficient to support a modification. Arthur
J. Gallagher & Co. v. Dieterich, 270 S.W.3d 695, 702 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008, no pet.). Ross’s
testimony shows that Ramaker would provide the same service to Ross under the alleged
modification as under the Riding Instructor Agreement in return for the same or no compensation.
The record contains no evidence of additional consideration provided for this alleged modification
and thus no evidence to support any implicit finding that the parties properly modified the Riding
Instructor Agreement to excuse Ross from paying Ramaker facility-use fees for lessons conducted
in Ramaker’s arena during March 2009. We must reverse the judgment denying Ramaker recovery
on her claim that Ross breached the Riding Instructor Agreement.
Ramaker contends that we must render judgment in her favor based on the
evidence of breach of the Riding Instructor Agreement. Ross admitted that she taught lessons in
March and did not pay Ramaker for them. The trial court admitted a “Lessons Board” on which
14
instructors wrote their names indicating when they had taught lessons. Ross’s name appears on that
calendar eight times in March.
The record does not provide sufficient information for us to render judgment,
however. The Riding Instructor Agreement sets out different amounts of fees due depending on such
factors as the length of the lesson, the number of students, and the boarding status of the student.4
The Lessons Board lists starting times for eight training sessions adjacent to appellant’s name,
but lists a scheduled ending time for at most three of them, and contains no information about how
long the sessions actually lasted. It contains no information about the students—how many there
were or whether they were boarders. Lacking this information, we cannot calculate the fees allegedly
due based on the rates listed in the Riding Instructor Agreement. Because we cannot calculate this
unliquidated damages amount, we must remand the entire issue of the breach/modification of the
Riding Instructor Agreement for a new trial. See Tex. R. App. P. 44.1(b).
Attorney’s fees
Ramaker contends that the trial court erred by awarding attorney’s fees to appellees
because they are based on what she argues is an erroneous judgment. Although we are affirming the
judgment with respect to claims concerning the Boarding Contract, we are reversing and remanding
the judgment with respect to claims relating to the Riding Instructor Agreement. The trial court
awarded attorney’s fees to appellees without apportioning the award based on claim or
individual appellee. Because we are reversing and remanding a portion of the judgment on which
4
The Riding Instructor Agreement set out the following fee structure: for a half-hour lesson;
$5; for one-hour lessons for boarders, $10 for a private lesson, $7.50 per person for a semi-private
lesson up to four boarders; and for non-boarders, $15 for a private lesson and $10 per person for a
semi-private lesson.
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the attorney’s fees award was based for further proceedings—a portion of the judgment that involves
only one appellee, Ross—we also reverse the award of attorney’s fees and remand that issue for
reconsideration following further proceedings.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the judgment with respect to claims concerning the Boarding Contract.
We reverse that portion of the judgment finding that Ramaker take nothing on her claim that Ross
breached the Riding Instructor Agreement and remand that issue for further proceedings. We also
reverse the award of attorney’s fees and remand that issue for further proceedings.
Jeff Rose, Justice
Before Justices Puryear, Pemberton, and Rose
Affirmed in part; Reversed and Remanded in part
Filed: July 18, 2013
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