UPDATE The horses that were hospitalized are showing real signs of progress in the last 36 hours. Check. Out this story on Eventing Nation for more info.
I cannot express in words the heartbreak I experienced this morning upon hearing the tragedy that has occurred at True Prospect Farm. The lives of all involved in this terrible incident will be irrevocably changed.
What can we do? Well reaching out and supporting our friends is going to be of critical importance over the weeks and months ahead. The other thing we can do is to donate.
At this stage for those of us in Australia or other parts of the world outside the USA, the easiest way is to donate to the True Prospect Recovery Fund. I have done this myself and urge you to do the same if you can.
Below are the details of the five ways you can support. Although some are only useful to those in the USA.
It’s important to remember that the tragedy at True Prospect this morning affected an incredible number of people. Those who lost horses and their families will bear the brunt of the trauma, but everyone at True Prospect who was there last night will remember those moments for the rest of their lives. Indeed everyone in the eventing community feels some loss today that so many great horses are no longer with us and at the sorrow felt by their connections.
The eventing community is banding together today to help out. Everyone who can help is on scene at True Prospect and New Bolton assisting in the relocation of the surviving horses, the recovery of the injured horses, and helping everyone involved.
As part of the recovery, there are multiple ways we can all band together from across Eventing Nation to help out. If you are anything like me, you have felt a little helpless today hearing about the tragedy but not being there to help out. Here is a quick guide to the relief funds and other ways to help out, please help spread the word:
1) Boyd’s website has posted a link to a True Prospect/SCES relief fund set up through SCES that allows for tax-deductible donations. The site explains: “This relief fund is a general fund set up to help everyone at Windurra LLC and True Prospect Farm, as well as our owners and riders who have been impacted by this tragedy.” [Boyd’s blog and donation link]
2) There is also a True Prospect Farm Fire Recover Fund directly from True Prospect Farm. You can pay with either a credit card or a Paypal account. [Information on the fund and donation link]
3) Denny Emerson is donating half of his royalties from his new book “How Good Riders Get Good” to help with the recovery. Click here to buy the book.
4) PRO is putting together and online fundraising auction–we’ll have more details on that as it develops.
5) Everyone can also make donations through the American Horse Trials Foundation. Boyd, Caitlin and Lillian are already listed there, and donations are tax-deductible. As will all AHTF donations, be sure to write the riders name on a note with the check, not the actual check.
The American Horse Trials Foundation
221 Grove Cove Road
Centreville, MD 21617
Phone: (443) 262-9555
Email: ahtf@att.net
As a final good news note, we have been getting a lot of emails checking on Remington–he was turned out overnight and is fine. Go donate.
Eventing Safety and Risk Management 