RIP Smart Move

By John on

I am shocked and saddened to write that our sport has lost one of its brightest young stars today.  Late Tuesday afternoon Lisa Marie Fergusson’s lovely young advanced horse Smart Move had to be humanely euthanized in Wellington, Florida after escaping from the barn onto a road and being struck by a car.  Lisa, who rides for Canada, and Smart Move were training in Wellington, Florida in preparation for their spring season and the possibility of riding for Canada in the Olympics.  Lisa and Smart Move had to withdraw from Fair Hill this autumn due to injury but rebounded with a 4th at the Galway CCI3* in November.  Smart Move was known for being a wonderful horse in all three phases and consistently stepped up to every eventing challenge eventing presented to him.

Smart Move was a 7 year old Welsh Sport Horse gelding who Lisa had developed since getting him at 4 years old.  Lisa was kind enough to blog about her autumn adventures with Smart Move here on EN.  Lisa showed a great deal of resilience this year and I know that resilience will help her persevere through this heartbreak.  I spoke briefly with Lisa’s longtime boyfriend Mike who told me that one of the things that makes this so hard  is that Lisa tragically lost her former upper level horse Uni, who collapsed and passed away after a cross-country ride in 2009.  Lisa has three other younger horses in training down in Wellington.  Eventing Nation extends our heartbroken thoughts and prayers to Lisa, Mike, and to their entire family and connections during this difficult time. 

Categories:

Eventing Nation, Eventing News and Notes
  • very sad Canadian

    No no no no no, so not fair!
    My heart is breaking for Lisa.
    I hope she can stay strong, my condolences, I'm thinking of you!

  • old-timer

    The saddest news ever!! Smart Move was a rising star and a genuine talent. I don't know Lisa but my heart is breaking for her.

  • Debbie

    What a tragedy. My heart breaks for Lisa.

  • VicariousRider

    How unthinkably horrible!!! My heart goes out to Lisa Marie in this horrendous time. I hope that in the future you will be able to read your post from earlier this week and find truth in it once again.
    Rest in peace, Smartie.

  • Mandy

    Oh my gosh, I'm struggling to find my words. I'm heartbroken for Lisa. Prayers go out to all those involved with Smart Move.

  • Dana

    This is horrible. My thoughts and prayers to Lisa and her staff.

  • EventerForeve

    How horrible. My heart is broken for all those involved. Especially after her blog on EN the other day I was pulling for her for the olympics. Seems like such a nice person even though I've never met her, and doesn't deserve this.

  • Kelsey

    Rest In Peace Smartie Boy

  • Isabel

    I am so sorry for her loss. I was so thrilled to read her most recent
    blog on her come back from Uni. My thoughts and prayers are with her

  • sarahjean

    My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa. Things like that should never happen. Especially to a brilliant creature with such wonderful potential and to such a caring and talented rider. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you, Lisa.

  • Mary Piro

    I am heartbroken for Lisa. I just read her story about Uni and Smartie the other day, and this is just too much. Please try to find the strength to carry on, you are such a talented young woman. Life is not fair.

  • Kathi

    I am heartbroken for her. I had a horse hit by a car, and although he survived, it is a terrible horror. Bless her heart.

  • Anon

    Oh my gosh thats so horrible.. I can't even imagine..thoughts and prayers with Lisa and rest in peace smartie

  • Grayson

    This I truly a tragedy. I cannot imagine the grief she must be feeling. My prayer go out to Lisa. RIP Smarty.

  • Marcia

    This is what makes life with these special creatures almost unbearable. My heart aches for all invloved.Our thoughts and prayes to Lisa and Smartie. May he gallop in heaven.

  • Jelly

    My thoughts are with Lisa, I'm so sorry. There are no words that can express what I feel, except to send the biggest hugs to her and Mike.

  • Melissa

    I am in shock. So so sorry for her!!! RIP Smartie

  • Bree

    Such a tragedy. Just read her post about losing Uni yesterday and I was so excited for her and Smartie, I've been following them for awhile now. The whole eventing world is here for you Lisa. Like you said yourself, a door has to be opening for you somewhere, hopefully you'll find it soon and something very good will be on the other side.

  • Teresa

    I read her post yesterday about her and Smartie and was so very excited for her. She gave great insight to the world of eventing and the ups and downs of it in her post. I am so very saddened for Lisa and extend my thoughts and prayers to her and her whole team. :( Such a tragedy.

  • Suzanne

    Thinking of you, Lisa... I'm so sorry.

  • anon

    Wow, just wow. No words can describe this loss especially after such optimism in her post yesterday. She, her team, and everyone involved are in my thoughts. God bless her.

  • McKenna

    echoing everyones thoughts stated...

  • LN

    Oh my gosh, I was just torn apart for Lisa when I read this. I hope that she can find some comfort and she has my prayers right now :C

  • JER

    What a huge loss. Lisa Marie, you've been so generous in sharing your journey so far. You're in my thoughts, as is your wonderful horse.

  • Jayne

    Could NOT believe this , I only read the post earlier about her hopes for the Olympics..just too, too sad. Totally heartbreaking:(

  • Kathy

    So-o sad, RIP

  • clm08

    How incredibly sad! I too was so excited for Lisa after reading her post yesterday. I saw her lovely XC ride on Uni at AECs and saw her competing Smartie in his earlier years, and she is indeed a very talented rider. No one deserves 2 tragedies like these. My deepest condolences to Lisa and all of Smartie's connections.

  • Leah

    RIP Smartie, all our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa in this time of tragedy.

  • eventer

    Does anyone know if Cananda has a similar funding program as the AHTF? It would be awesome if there could be a fund set up for Lisa. There is obviously no amount of money that could replace a horse as fantastic as Smartie, but it would be nice if we could support her as she continues to develop her current horses.

  • BC

    This sport can be so painful. Rip smartie!! My heart goes out to you Lisa and my prayers are with you.

  • CookiePony

    I'm so very sorry for Lisa and Smartie's team. What a terrible shock this must be for them.

  • KC

    It is brutally unfair that after losing Uni and welcoming us into her life with her blog entry that this has happened. Lisa, thinking of you and wishing you peace in such a tragic time. If anyone will rise above this and flourish, it will be you - and we'll all be cheering you on.

  • Liza the Lurker

    2011 can't end soon enough for me. My heart, my whole soul goes out to Lisa and to all those that lost horses too tragically soon. This is the one exception that I can think of that an upper level horse should be bought for someone to complete their dreams. She has proven that she can and has made upper level horses. I think a funding program would be awesome for Lisa. It won't ever replace Smartie but hopefully it will dull the pain.

  • JRey

    I had the pleasure of seeing Lisa run Smartie at Galway a few weeks ago. I was saddened by this post. RIP Smartie, So sorry Lisa.

  • Chris

    My heart breaks for her. RIP Smartie.

  • Eventernut

    This is such a sad and tragic loss! So very sorry! I also just read the recent blog and was touched by the resolve and humility of Lisa's return to upper level success after such a sudden devastating loss of Uni. Heartfelt support and prayers for Lisa and her "family".

  • TW

    Lisa - I am stunned to read this after reading your post yesterday. Stay strong, keep putting one foot in front of the other and remember the Helen Keller quote of One door closes another door opens.....your resiliance will help you. God bless you and your buddies, Smarty/Uni included.

  • Les&les

    So sorry Lisa.. Hang in there.. X

  • Heidi Hewitson

    After reading your blogs I feel like I personally know you. I was so looking foward to hearing more about Smarties and your journey to the Olympics. This must be absolutely heartbreaking. I am so sorry but try to remember we are all thinking about you. And may Smarty be happily galloping the astral plains.

  • Cindy Wood

    Just read her blog and was also so excited for her, so sad hugs and prayers to everyone involved with the horse and Lisa!

  • gabby

    So incredibly sad to read this! My heart breaks for Lisa and all of Smartie's connections. RIP Smart Move. :(

    ps. I have really enjoyed Lisa's blogs - she's a great writer and seems to be such a talented rider with wonderful attitude and perspective on the eventing lifestyle and what it takes to get to the top. I hope, with her friends around her, she can find the strength to make sense of this and contiue on. I know i'm not alone in genuinely rooting for her!!!

  • Sheryl

    Lisa, Carol, and to all of Smartie’s connections – *no* words are adequate… you are in our thoughts and prayers. Too many tears.

    John – would you be able to see if there is a fund for Lisa?

  • Barbara C

    Lisa - I am so sorry for your loss. You are an inspirational rider and Smarty was a beautiful athlete. Take care.

  • Grace

    So sorry Lisa....hang in there! I cannot even think of how much pain you are in. When my first horse died, I didn't think that it would ever end, but I know that you will pull through this. Good luck to you in the future, and God bless you and your family.

  • debora

    oh, there just are no words. My sympathies to all involved with Smartie. You will be in my prayers.

  • Aimy

    Any horse owner will tell you that losing a horse, no matter how it happens, really hurts the soul. They become your best friend. I feel for you Lisa, I've been down that road too. But you'll always remember him and that's what counts! I'm sure you'll find yourself a new best friend who'll take you on plenty of adventures really soon. Never forget those who passed through your life but be open to looking to the future and seeing new possibilities. And remember, real princesses don't kiss frogs, they kiss horses!

  • Sarah

    So sorry to all of Smartie's family.

  • Kay Aubrey-Chimene

    So sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful, talented horse. Lisa, our hearts go out to you. Smart Move - you will be remembered with love.

    Kay
    The Intentional Horse
    http://theintentionalhorse.com

  • Lizzie

    So so sad for here. We have all been pulling for Lisa and Smartie, such a great pair and a down to earth rider. RIP Smartie

  • Melissa

    So tragic and heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa and all those affected by his loss. Hopefully in time you can remember the good times more easily than the pain of his loss now.

  • Lauren

    SO not fair. It makes me so angry that such terrible things happen to such good people. Wishing Lisa strength in this hard time. RIP Smartie.

  • Lorraine

    to Lisa,

    Just last week I read your lovely and profound story of how you came back from losing Uni. This is so incredibly, horrifically, unfair. I am so sorry Lisa. The eventing community is praying for you. We stand behind you. I hope with all my heart you hold onto the courage and strength you have had in the past, and you can follow your heart going forward. God bless you.

  • eventer123

    So sad for Lisa, cannot say how sorry i am. What a great partnership she had with him. I enjoyed her articles so much of his progress and journey. I feel for all connected to that lovely horse.

  • Jaclyn McGillivray

    Smartie was my favorite. I loved and respected him like he was my own. I new him as a young horse. Was there when he was born and got to know him personally up till he was adopted by Lisa. I'm so sorry Lisa :'(. I'm in shock and tears at the moment. You have two other brothers of his, take great care of them. They should remind you of Smartie and be just as great as he was :)

  • Marci

    May the entire equestrian world, once again, come together to send light and love to Lisa at this difficult time. And may the spirit of Smartie soar in the wind!

  • Sophie AUS

    Every teardrop is a water fall. :(

  • Joanne

    Oh Lisa...I am so sad to hear the news of Smartie. I can only imagine what you're going through right now, but I do know it must be devastating. I just looked back over your blog entries and it's heart wrenching in the light of Smartie's passing. But you have learned and grown so much from past heartache and I know you will again from this one. In the meantime, know that there are so many people pulling for you and that with time, the pain will lessen and become just part of the tapestry of a life lived with passion.
    Love from Vancouver. (If there's anything we can do, just ask.)

  • Grace

    Lisa-Remember to thank God for the wonderful life that he had. He was a lucky horse to be able to do what he did. God bless you both.