Eric Dierks: Faith Through Fire

By Britney Grover

Eric Dierks is well-acquainted with trials — especially horse trials. He grew up shaped by his participation in the U.S. Pony Club, which led to a successful career riding, training and teaching. Eric competed twice in the renowned CCI4* Kentucky Three Day Event, was long-listed for the 2002 World Equestrian Games and short-listed for the 2004 Olympic Games. He has brought many young event horses up to the advanced level, has coached the USEA Area IV Young Riders, and is a sought-after clinician. But last February, Eric experienced a new kind of trial: a trial by fire — literally.

Eric and his wife, Trayce, both train and teach at their Renovatio Farm in Tryon, North Carolina, where they are an active and beloved part of the community. When a fire destroyed the Tryon Hounds’ barn and killed four horses, the Dierkses were among those who stepped up to help. Eric’s help for others stems from his faith, but he never expected to have to use that same faith to accept help.

“In being a believer, I serve,” he said. “I try to share my talent and love for the horse. I’m aware of others’ struggles, and most of the time, bury my own struggle. I got caught up in the monotony of a one-way track trying to make a name for myself so I can make money doing what I love. It’s a lonely track, sometimes fighting for something you believe but also staying active in the sport and sustaining a living.” Eric broke out of that track when routine barn chores turned into a crisis.

The Explosion

Trayce had recently undergone spinal surgery and still had several weeks before she could ride, so Eric was doing double-duty to care for her horses and his own. February 13 began as a normal Monday, and repairing a gas water heater was on Eric’s to-do list. As he worked to fix the pilot light, fire exploded and hit Eric’s face and hand. “It all happened so fast,” he recalled. “I was just thanking God that I had my eyesight. Fortunately I was wearing a Carhartt jacket as well; otherwise it would have hit my whole body.”

Eric was taken to Saint Luke’s Hospital with second- and third-degree burns to his face and right hand. From there, he was airlifted to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where he received surgery to his face and hand, including skin grafts from cadaver skin in what Eric called “an expensive bandaid.” He spent Valentine’s Day in surgery, and had to stay in the burn unit for a week. When he was finally able to go home, it was only under strict orders to stay secluded from people and animals, including horses and Neumann, the family dog.

“I don’t ask for help too easily, so when I heard the accident was going out on social media, my first reaction was, ‘Oh no!’ I thought I was just going to get up and get back to work,” Eric shared. “And then it hit me like a truck how serious everything was after I heard the extent of the recovery. Plus, Trayce had just had back surgery, so we were both out of our game with the barn and horses needing attention and with bills stacking up.”

With the reality of their situation sinking in, Trayce wrote a humble message on Facebook asking for help with stall cleaning, checking on horses and riding. “Trayce shared the post with me, and the outpouring started,” said Eric. “I was in tears. From students, community, the whole horse industry, childhood friends and people I didn’t even know, an outpouring of love, contributions and sharing influences I had on them came out.”

Help From Their Friends

One post was all it took. Friends organized a calendar for barn chores, and another for providing meals. Farm House Tack and Nunn Finer teamed up to donate 30 percent of all Nunn Finer products purchased over an entire week to the Dierkses. A GoFundMe page was started and raised over $32,000 from more than 250 contributors. The Carolina Foothills community rallied together to hold a fundraiser dinner and auction, local equestrian professionals pitched in to donate lessons, training, vet appointments, farrier visits, tack — including two saddles — and more. Hundreds shared words of love, prayers, encouragement, or heartfelt gratitude for the influence the Dierkses had on their lives.

“It’s a humbling experience to receive — whether it be money, help or love,” said Eric. “I felt God’s hand on my chest push me into the bed and saying, ‘We’ve got this.’ My anxiety went to rest when I felt that, and I believe recovery came faster with acceptance.”

And recovery did come as quickly as any of the doctors could have anticipated: All of the grafts healed well, Eric’s only rare excursions outdoors successfully warded off infection (and kept him sane) and he was back to riding and training by April, careful to keep his new skin protected. But the accident was not without long-term effects.

“I live and ride listening to the people and horses around me a lot more,” Eric shared. “We all struggle with identity and anxiety. It’s very easy to get self-absorbed into your own struggle to the point of numbness to all the love around you. I take a deep breath, put all my senses in check and listen before taking action. Also, I like to make sure my action is in the best intention for everyone around me, including my horse, and try not to feed my shortcomings.”

For Eric, his injuries and recovery have made him all the more passionate about life — and horses. He continues to train, teach clinics, compete and share encouraging messages on his Instagram account @edierksequestrian, now with renewed vigor. “It’s not that all the support and love from the community has restored my faith in people: I’ve always had faith in people and want to believe everyone is trying their best. What I’m so touched about is that they reached out to Trayce and myself. Now that is a blessing.”

Photos courtesy of Eric Dierks, unless noted otherwise