Fundraising for Smartie

By John on

Our eventing community was rocked on Tuesday with news of Lisa Marie Fergusson’s Smart Move being euthanized.  Smart Move was struck by a car after after escaping from his barn in Wellington, FL.  It’s impossible for a horse’s family and connections to fully recover from a tragedy like this and Lisa’s journey towards recovery has just begun.  To make matters worse, Lisa’s previous upper level horse Uni passed away following the cross-country at an event in 2009.  Lisa rides Uni’s full brother who is 6, and Smartie’s full brother who is 5, so the future is bright but getting out of the darkness of this week is going to take time and prayers. 

We have an opportunity as a community to support the recovery from this tragedy.  A non-profit  tax-deductible fund has been established through Southern California Equestrian Sports (SCES) to cover some of the expenses which include thousands of dollars in vet bills and cremation expenses (around $3,000) and the sad news that Smartie did not have life insurance due to the yearly expense of insurance.  Let’s gather together as a community and help a family that has lost a companion, friend, partner, and loved one.  Spread the word.


I also want to thank Lisa Thomas and Margie with SCES for helping to set this fundraising effort up.  Go eventing.

Categories:

Eventing Nation, Happy Trails
  • really

    While I am sad to read about the death of her horse, I am shocked that there would be a fundraising effort for someone who wants others to pay the vet/disposal fees. A horse destined for big things requires insurance. How could she even think of running a horse at advanced/three star level without insurance? Insurance is the one thing you do not cheap out on, especially for event horses. Look, she has already lost one horse at rolex and should have known better where insurance is concerned. Another rider who has no common sense.

  • Beth Collier

    I think it's a very kind gesture to help support a fellow eventer, and no one is obligated to donate.

  • 859

    Little harsh, but I had the same thoughts. Maybe skip the new Devoucoux or shorten the trip to Wellington to cut out some cost. Pretty stupid to not have him insured. I gave my money to Colleen.

  • Chris

    Just to correct a fact. Uni died at Maui Jim not Rolex.

  • Wow …Really

    Judgment Day. Just to be clear Lisa is not aware of this effort and has never asked for anything, from anyone on her journey. If there are outside efforts and you feel the need to judge so be it. If you don't think Lisa will be reading the comments when she hears of the effort you are wrong. So at this time of grief if it is so important to sling negativity as oppose to just holding your tongue then go ahead and vent, if your words were meant to hurt then you have probably succeeded.

  • Kelly

    Seriously folks. A fundraiser is an opportunity, no one is obligated to donate. If there is ever a time to support a rider even though you disagree with their decisions it's when they are suffering from the loss of a horse.

  • Melissa

    Sorry folks...there are a LOT of 3 and 4* horse who are NOT insured. Or are only insured for travel related injuries. I don't think Nev. was insured. Costs for insurance is not small nor is it even always possible to obtain it. Insurance is a GAMBLE and there are a LOT of pros and cons to having it....it isn't just someone was too cheap to buy it. If some people want to help this person by donating....they can. If you don't want to give...you don't have to and I'm sure no one will think lesser of you (or care). But some of us are willing to help out...both Lisa AND Colleen.

  • NOLA1984

    Thanks for establishing this fund.

    I have enjoyed following Lisa and Smartie's progress and postings throughout the year. Smartie's death was tragic and I'm glad that there is an avenue where I can extend my monetary support. After so much bad luck, good things are sure to be in her future.

    And to those who only seem to have negative things to say - for shame! It's the holiday season! Be kind - even if all you can muster is to bite your tongue.

  • Carried Away

    Just need to chime in here that insurance is NOT difficult to obtain, and does not even need to be equivalent to what the horse is really worth - it DOES help cover expenses and helps you start over with a new purchase in the case of death (especially accidental!). Always a good idea if you are concerned about final expenses or getting a new horse in the event of death.

  • anonymous

    im sooooooo sorry about what happened!!!!!!!! i would die if anything like that happened to one of my horses!!!!! and you were so close to something so special! IM SOO SORRY!!!!

  • Sarah

    agreed.

  • making sense

    Everyday riders are sponsored by generous people making donations/contributions to those they see as working incredibly hard to reach their goals. What, at all does this have to do with anything other than, do you want to support this talented, hard working person in a time of need. Terrible circumstance but "seriously" she has shown dedication to her sport and this community...i choose to support her...go Lisa

  • Sophie AUS

    so sad :( :(:(:(

  • David White

    Just read the first response....Incredible!! This insensitive callous clown must be a card carrying member of the COTH message board "community". only that bunch would make such an ignorant post!

  • Interesting

    So sad! very sorry for her loss,hard to comprehend that he would not have been insured for mortality if nothing else
    Also so sad that people are ready to jump on the fundraising banner for a deceased horse and so many riders struggle for support for their 4* horses

  • anonymous

    Be quiet and if you have nothing to say dont say it!

  • Bond Lyte

    Insurance is not a gamble, it is a gamble NOT to have it. In 2003 I had a lovely mare hit by a car and killed 2 weeks after moving to our dream farm. This was a lower level horse, insured for mortality only at her purchase price. With the insurance money I was able to find my current partner. The loss of a horse is tragic enough, not being able to pay the vet or replace the horse at a future date just compounds the loss.

  • Alighieri

    David White, don't paint everyone over at COTH as ignorant/negative. Yes, there's a lot of differing opinions, but it's generally a supportive group. Unfortunately, every once in a while, a single person puts an unpopular opinion out there at an inappropriate time, and the mudslinging begins. This seems to be one of those times.

    I greatly admire the effort put forth to fundraise for Lisa after such a freak accident. I'm currently shopping around for insurance for a horse who is about to go Advanced, and no, it's not easy or cheap. Many things are excluded, and the premiums are relatively hefty. And my horse isn't insured for anything near what he's actually worth, just enough so that I could get a nice youngster should (heaven forbid) anything happen. I rarely ever use the insurance during the year for medical expenses, so it's not as if it pays for itself. I can easily see deciding against it, particularly for young professionals with a string of horses.

    Don't sling stones unless you've been there, done that. (Directed towards really's comments.)

  • John

    I have closed this thread and deleted the last few comments, most of which were insightful but some parts of which were going a bit on the impolite side given that this topic is about a wonderful horse who has passed away. I apologize for the inconvenience, have a great Friday night everyone, and if you have something negative to say about those involved take it somewhere else.