SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Friday, September 16 2011 / Published in Weekly Feature

ACE Private Risk Services Honors Horses Lost In Blaze

By Lauren R. Giannini

On May 31, fire destroyed the barn rented by international event rider Boyd Martin from Phillip Dutton at True Prospect Farm (West Grove, PA). Of the 11 horses stabled in the wood and stone bank barn, six perished in the blaze.  Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman and Ryan Wood, who lived upstairs, managed to lead three horses to safety.  The fire had burned out of control for at least 30 minutes, but Phillip rushed in and brought out Catch A Star.

About 10 minutes later, Boyd arrived on the scene and engaged in “a bit of an altercation with the firefighters” (his words), then dashed around the barn to try to save Neville Bardos, the New Zealand Thoroughbred whose eventing career had started with Boyd’s wife Silva in the saddle. Phillip followed Boyd and the two of them managed to bring Neville out of the blazing structure.

All five horses were treated at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center.  Neville Bardos, Boyd’s partner for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games, sustained the worst injuries, especially his lungs.  He shouldn’t have survived, but he did.

“Neville’s breaking all the laws and defying all the odds at the moment,” said Martin.  “Initially, he was fighting for his life and then a couple days later it looked like he’d survive.  Then a couple weeks later, it looked like we could ride him again, and now we’re just taking it day by day, but it looks like he’s about to take on the world’s toughest four-star at Burghley in England.  It’s exciting and emotional at the same time with all the terrible tragedies that I’ve gone through [His father, Ross Martin, passed away in early July after being struck by a truck during a bicycle race in Australia.]  It’s the one thing that’s kept me going.”

After the Fire

In the aftermath of the fire, the entire eventing community rallied.  Bruce Duchossois, who competes in the amateur owner hunters, has owned several of Phillip’s top three-day horses, including Connaught.  Phillip, who earned team gold in 1996 riding for Australia, became an American citizen in 2006.   In 2007, he earned team gold and individual silver riding for the USA.  In 2008, he piloted Connaught to first place in the prestigious four-star Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event.  About five years ago Bruce became partners with Phillip in the ownership of True Prospect Farm.

Bruce learned that ACE Private Risk Services, the high-net worth personal lines company of global insurance carrier, the ACE Group – who settled the claim quickly and gracefully – planned to make a donation in honor of the six horses.  Several of those horses were being considered to represent the USA for the 2011 Pan American Games and now would never have a chance to prove themselves.

Stepping in to Help

Bruce is co-chair of the USET Foundation’s Development Committee, which raises funds for the USA’s elite equestrian athletes.  His involvement with the horses and people at True Prospect Farm and with the USET Foundation led him to pledge to match whatever amount ACE Private Risk Services donated to the USET Foundation.

“I think that what ACE Private Risk Services is doing is phenomenal,” said Bruce.  “Insurance – you can’t live with it, you can’t live without it – and what these ACE people have done really is above and beyond.  It was a beautiful old stone barn, and the horses – well, they were priceless.  To settle the way they did and then to come back and make a donation to the USET Foundation in the memory of the horses – well, it’s unheard of. It opens eyes that they are good people and that they want to give back.  I was blown away.”

 

Phillip Dutton, accompanied by one of the event horses stabled at True Prospect Farm, commented about ACE's generous gift to the USET Foundation in honor of the fallen horses and the matching pledge from Bruce Duchossois: "It's probably the best positive that's come out of the whole tragedy that we had, along with the outpouring of support from everybody throughout the country for Boyd and the people involved, but for ACE to step up and go beyond their commitment and to give a donation of this magnitude for horses of the future, that's pretty incredible."

On Tuesday, August 16th, Bob Courtemanche, Division President of ACE Private Risk Services, and W. Kirk James, Chief Operating Officer of Hub International (the broker that matched up ACE with True Prospect), met at True Prospect Farm with Bruce, Phillip and his wife Evie, and Boyd.  In a spirit of camaraderie and compassion, ACE’s donation to the USET Foundation does more than honor the six fallen event horses: it also pays tribute to the uncommon valor of the people who risked their own lives to save the five.

“We protect property, but at the end of the day we protect people,” said Bob.  “If we can help to make a sad situation better by honoring the bravery and compassion of the people at True Prospect Farm, that’s part of our job.  It’s not just property they lost in that fire.  They lost horses, and they aren’t replaceable the way machines are.  I’m learning about the partnership between horse and rider.”

ACE’s generous donation may be unprecedented in the insurance world, but their humanity seems to be a matter of daily record.  “It’s moving.  It restores my faith in the American culture, that everything’s not just about money,” said Boyd.  “It’s fantastic when a company goes far beyond the call of duty and sees a terrible situation and they put their hat and money out for such a wonderful donation.”

Double D Trailers Info

What you can read next

Unbridled With Steve Stephens
Ariel Grald: Eventing to the Top, From Ponies to The Five-Star Level
Entrepreneurship for a Bigger Goal: Kelly Artz & Entrigue Consulting

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn s It's finally Spring🌷🌻☀️! Get your barn set up with a Pyranha SprayMaster Misting System. 
✅Provides whole barn insect control! 
✅Easy to install with basic tools!
✅Electric pump & programmable automatic timer!

Get yours today!
@pyranhalife

#pyranhalife #madeintheusa #pyranha #equestrian #horselife #horselifestyle #barncare
Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Alex Nichols Agency

    50 Years in Flying Horses Weekly International & Domestic Flights

    Horse transportation, horse flights

    [Read more]

  • MIAMI INTERNATIONAL RIDING CLUB
    Celia & Dani Bunge Hunter/Jumper/Equitation Boarding/Lessons/Showing 305-775-9155/305-753-2481 celia.bunge@mirc-horses.com www.mirc-horses.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island
  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Will Coleman Retains Yanmar America CCI4*-S Lead in Dramatic Show Jumping at Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International
  • First edition of the World Sport Horse Sales was a hit with $410.000 for the most expensive horse
  • Liz Halliday-Sharp Takes Third Victory in $50,000 Grand-Prix Eventing Festival at Bruce’s Field

Category

Recent Posts

  • April 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Building a Bond With a New Horse

    By Margie Sugarman I just bought a new horse. I...
  • Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates

    By Rob Jacobs The purpose of this month’s colum...
  • The Value of Self-Coaching

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp The sport of eventing is ...
  • Unbridled With Annette Longenecker

    By Britney Grover  Annette Longenecker wasn’t j...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!