First and foremost I want to extend my deepest sympathy for Boyd Martin and his Team. This morning his barn burnt to the ground in what they think was an electrical fire. He had 12 horses there and six of the 12 passed away. Three are in intensive care and the rest are all being treated for smoke inhalation. It is every horse owners nightmare to have to endure something so tragic. Some very nice horses were lost today. I hope True Prospect Farm knows they have the whole eventing community supporting them.
I am finding it hard to write after reading about Boyds hardship. I have not had an easy go of it this season, but after today I am just thankful to see my horse standing in her pasture happy and healthy. I want to fill you all in on my recent event but find I just cant. Instead I want to write about all I am grateful for. My parents recently flew all the way out from California to help me make the drive to Georgia for Chattahoochee Hills. I have gotten the opportunity to ride with many fantastic coaches while I have been back here but I still stand by my statement that my mother is the best coach I have ever worked with. I hope all of you who are lucky enough to ride with her on a daily basis realize that. My father is the best groom I have ever had and probably one of the only people I trust to take care of my horse correctly. Not to mention one of the only people I will let be around me on those nerve racking cross country mornings. My horse, she is something else. I find myself getting teary eyed writing about her right now. Knowing that accidents like what happened to Boyd can happen to any of us and our beloved horses. Chloe is really quite special to me and I can honestly say she has helped make the person I am today. She has brought me some of the greatest joy I have ever experienced and she politely lets me cry in the corner of her stall when I have been down. So yes I may not have qualified for certain events or placed as well at certain shows but that is eventing for you. It is unpredictable, it is some of the best and worse times but at the end of the day you go through all of that with your horse and your team. I am so lucky to have the support crew I have and the horse I have.
Going onto Facebook this morning seeing how the eventing community has come together for Boyd and his farm is unreal. We really are a family. It does not matter if you compete at advanced or beginner novice, if you are a spectator, volunteer or family member. If you are involved in this crazy sport we call eventing, you are family. For that I am grateful for. So go thank your groom for all they do, your parents for their support, your team members for their advice, your coach for their help and most importantly your horse because I am sure they have given you a reason to smile at least once a day if not more. May the horses that were lost today Rest in Piece and I wish a speedy recovery for the rest.
I will be writing again soon and post pictures that my mom took on her visit here, but for now this is all I can seem to focus on. Thanks for reading
xoxo Kelly, Chloe and Buckleigh
Go to www.eventingnation.com for more on this morning tragedy.
