In a story that is almost too tragic to be real, Boyd Martin’s father, Ross Martin, passed away this weekend. Ross was severely injured in a cycling accident two weeks ago when a truck struck him during a bicycle race. Boyd traveled to Australia and saw his father before he passed away and Boyd is with his family in Australia now.
Ross was a truly great man and beloved by all in the eventing community who had met him. He represented Australia as a cross-country skier in the 1968 Olympics, where he met his wife Toy, who was an Olympic speed skater. Eventing Nation wants to wish happy trails to Ross and our condolences to the Martin family.
It is simply unfathomable to imagine that two such incredibly tragic things–a barn fire and the loss of a father–could happen to anyone, especially someone as kind and generous as Boyd, within a month. The US team here in London was deeply affected by the news and everyone is collectively asking “how could two things so awful happen to someone so great?”
There is nothing that can be said other than what Boyd already knows–that the entire eventing community stands behind him and we will do anything we can to help with moving forward. Boyd has a rare combination of incredible toughness and true optimism and I know he will step up to the challenges of the emotional recovery that lie ahead with the same tenacity that he attacks the biggest cross-country courses in the world.
