Hi my name is Sarah Mentzer. I don't know who would have heard,
but Saturday March 18, 2006 there was a horrific barn fire next door
to my house that took the lives of all the thirteen beautiful horses
in the barn. The barn was only five years old, and was gorgeous. It
was a small country barn, where everyone was happy. The fire is still
under investigation but they are claiming that the fire was started by
something electrical malfunctioning in the mechanical room.
The barn and the horses inside meant the world to me. I started
off a scared young girl who had never had any experience around
horses, and now I am a horse obsessed young adult that can't go a day
without thinking about them. I just started teaching lessons this
year to beginners and I've never enjoyed anything as much in my life.
I also organize and run the summer horse camp that we have done for
the past three years. The barn was always like a second home to me,
and since I lived right next door I was always at the barn. Every
time I was upset or stressed I would go over and spend time with the
horses and they always made me feel better. They were not just pets
they were like family and friends to me.
The owner, Donna Gardiner, just decided that she needed to overcome
the tragedy and rebuild so that all the adults and children that loved
the barn would have something to look forward to. The worst thing is
that we were horribly under insured. Donna lost everything in the
fire, every horse, all of her tack and supplies. None of her horses
or equipment were insured and her barn was only insured for part of
what it cost to build it to begin with.
It has been devastating for everyone involved. Please be a part of
the community effort to rebuild and bring happiness back into the
lives of people that have lost so much. You can make donations through
our website www.oldcoachfarm.com/donation.htm

Also if anyone could just spread the word of our website to anyone
that could help, we could greatly appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your help