The Ohio University Equestrian Team (OUET), 2002 Miller’s Cup Team Champions (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association national winners), lost a barn, an arena, a tack room, a trailer, all of their tack and one horse to a fire that ripped through Stonegate Farm in Belpre, Ohio, on Sept. 6. 

Of the seven horses stabled in Coach Karen Hiehle’s barn, all but one survived. One horse has been shipped to The Ohio State University to receive treatment for severe burns and the other five are being monitored and treated for cuts and burns. 

Because the OUET is a club sport, they receive no university funding.  The OUET is funded solely by its members through fundraising and dues.  The team will receive no university funding to help them rebuild their facility, purchase new tack, or replace the lost horse. 

According to USA Equestrian, the national governing body of equestrian sport in the U.S., the OUET is currently in a financially perilous position. In addition to the loss of the barn and its contents, all supplies for the Oct. 12-13 IHSA horse show were destroyed. At this time, any tack, grooming products, first aid supplies, or monetary donations would be greatly appreciated (these will be tax deductible)