January 8, 2010
Dear Friends,

As many in the northeast may have already heard, longtime Arabian trainer and breeder Randy Stoneback suffered a devastating loss after a barn fire at his Pennsylvania facility claimed the lives of eight training horses, two of whom had just recently won National Championships at Sport Horse Nationals, and virtually all of the farm equipment, including trailer,  tractors, spreaders, tack and hay.  The fire, believed to have been electrical in nature, started at approximately 4:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and so quickly engulfed the building that the Stonebacks were able to get to only a few horses in that barn.  The facility is comprised of several different barns, so over fifty stalls, and many more horses, still remain at the farm, but virtually all of their equipment and hay perished in the fire. [ read more ]

The Charles Craver Benefit Auction
November 8, 2008, Novanis Building, Springfield, IL

Click here to view the auction

Charles Craver is hardly a name that needs an introduction to the "seasoned" Arabian horse community, but here goes for those of you who did not tread the earth with the dinosaurs, as I did.  He is one of the most prolific breeders of Arabian horses in the world with more than 500 purebreds registered to his name as breeder. [ read more ]

The Horsemen’s Distress Fund is a not-for-profit organization that was created to help members of the Arabian community during times of difficulty that arise from unexpected, catastrophic situations.   Established in 2005, The Horsemen’s Distress Fund has 501c3 Charitable Organization status from the IRS, making all donations to the fund completely tax deductible.  The fund is a completely separate organization from any other entity, with its own by-laws, board of directors, and bank account, and it is solely dedicated to helping fellow horsemen during times of need. 

Be a Horsemen That Helps

To donate to the fund, host a fundraiser in your area, or to let us know of someone who is in need of assistance, please e-mail us at mary@horsemensdistressfund.com, or contact any HDF Director, whose contact information can be found on the Board information page.

The Horsemen’s Distress Fund - Helping Horsemen Help Each Other

“The Horsemen’s Distress Fund was an absolute Godsend for me.  I recently had an unplanned surgery and was facing a minimum of three months without work.  Of course, bills still accumulate, and with no income I was facing devastation. 

When I had a bill I couldn’t cover, the fund paid each one that I submitted, including truck payments, insurance, doctor, hospital, dental, medical diagnostics and more, and they were quick and a pleasure to work with.  Thanks to them, I was able to avoid a financial burden that would have taken years to recover from.

I sincerely appreciate the association and the fund they have created.  I strongly encourage everyone to donate to an incredible fund that supports the horsemen in our Arabian community.”

Monty Collison,
Horse trainer and owner of Northwest Showcase

“To all of those interested in what The Horsemen’s Distress Fund can do, let me reflect on the last year.  What a year!  As most of you know, my husband Ron Copple was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December of 2004.  A few months into his treatment we received a call that would change our lives for the better.  We were delighted to find out that the fund would be started at Scottsdale that year, and that it would be available to help us with some of the staggering medical bills we were incurring. 

The fund has helped us to stay on our feet throughout Ron’s season-long cancer treatments.  It has been an absolute blessing—I don’t know what we would have done without the help of all those that donated to this extraordinary effort.  As most of you know, Ron is now cancer free!  We’ll be giving to the HDF every year because we know how important it is to be there for those who will need the fund just like we did!”

Ron and Carrie Copple, Trainers
Westridge Farms