Several Kansas City equestrians are reaching out to help a world-renowned horse training facility in central Missouri after a devastating fire.
Fairview Farms, an estate that trains, shows, breeds and sells championship caliber horses, lost three buildings in a fire Monday afternoon. Not only did they lose a colt barn, training barn and an arena, they also lost seven horses and three dogs.
"They were kicking in doors and running into the fire ... they literally put their lives on the line to save these animals,” said Carla Pearman, a Kansas City doctor who houses three horses with her sister on the New Bloomfield, Missouri, farm.
"When you see that barn fire, there's no reason they were able to save that many except for pure heroism on their part,” said Pearman’s sister Jayne Pearman, who resides in Louisburg.
The facility homes about 50 horses, several of which have owners in the Kansas City area.
“Bob and Tonya run a ‘family business’ … It is a close-knit group who love and support each other. Their loss affects us all and our hearts break for them and our fellow barn family as they deal with the tragedy of yesterday,” said Carol Carlson, a Lone Jack native who keeps several horses at Fairview Farms.
“Together with their staff they were able to save over 50 horses. We stand with them as customers and as friends – Fairview strong!” she said.
One of the horses who passed away in Monday’s fire was Breaking Vegas, an American Saddlebred who won the 2015 Saddle and Bridle Best of Breed for Adult Country Pleasure.
All surviving horses are currently being kept at local fair grounds, various barns and make-shift stables.
There are several efforts already underway to provide immediate relief to Fairview Farms and their horses.
The first may have been a GoFundMe campaign set up by the United Professional Horsemen’s Association. Within 24 hours, the goal of $50,000 was surpassed, further proof of the widespread allegiance to the family-run horse farm.
"When we see someone take a loss like this we want to run to their help. We want to give them everything we can to get them through this and put them back on their feet. And it matters to all of us. These are our friends,” said Carla Pearman.
There are other ways to help as well, including a Booster.com T-shirt fundraiser or by dropping off items at Terry Bennett’s Tack in Harrisonville.
Some items needed immediately to help Fairview Farms:
- Blankets
- Coolers
- Towels
- Hand towels
- Groom boxes
- Grooming supplies
- Hoof picks
- Tack - saddles, bridle, bits, halters, lead chains, etc.
- Saddle pads
- Medications
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Fly spray
- Hay
- Grain
- Peppermints
- Bedding
- Water buckets
- Feed scoop
- Hoses
- Wheel barrows
- Bandage wraps
Local fire investigators say they cannot determine the cause of the fire due to insufficient evidence.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com.
