Lightning struck Tylord Farm in Benson, VT, during the early hours of June 14 in the form of a violent summer storm. Fire raged through their stallion barn/indoor arena, destroying the structure and killing all six horses stabled inside, including world-acclaimed Trakehner stallion, Enrico Caruso. Other horses losing their lives in the fire included Laiken's last son, Emelio; Trinidad, a three-year-old gelding by Leonardo da Vinci; and Lilli Bieler's young stallion, Leonardo da Vinci, also by Enrico Caruso.

Tylord Farm (prominent breeders of Trakehner bloodlines) sires have produced countless champions over the last 30 years including WEF small junior hunter champion, El Star (Emily Williams aboard); multiple grand prix jumper winner, Margo (Ian Silitch aboard); hunters Mirror Lake, Baron Von Laken, Grace Note, Blue Moon, etc.; and FEI-level dressage horses Rubelit von Unkenruf, Bronze medalist at the Lausanne, Switzerland World Cup, Pavarotti; Levi and Diane Fietti's Esquire (George Williams aboard). Esquire also perished in the fire.

Tylord has suffered a series of damaging setbacks in the last several years, among them the deaths of their foundation sires, Laiken, Unkenruf; and now the fire losses of both Enrico Caruso and their newly imported young stallion, Cosmopolit, recently purchased to reestablish their breeding program. Due to the high costs of maintaining a breeding operation, etc., none of the horses lost in the fire were insured, nor were any of the contents of the barn. Barn contents included their entire frozen semen bank with collections from all of their former sires.

The fire has cost Tylord hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost horse value, equipment, breeding income and an estimated more than $100,000-$200,000 in additional monies (above insured value) needed to rebuild the facility. Hundreds of friends, admirers and fellow horse people from around the world have reached out to Tylord in an attempt to provide aid and support in their time of need. As a result, a fund has been set up in their name in order to help one of this country's precious sport horse breeding resources survive their tragic losses and rebuild a new future.

Donations can be make payable to: Tylord Farm Fire Relief Fund, c/o Tylord Farm, 3358 Route 22A, Benson, VT 05743. Debra Tyler, owner/breeder, can be contacted through their website, TylordFarm.com. Debra notes, "I am touched by the outpouring of sentiments, generosity and encouragement by so many. I can't express how much it means to us. This must be the good that has come out of so much pain. We have lost everything from hoof picks to breeding equipment to our beloved horses, so we have been incredibly grateful for every small gift, whether it is a sympathetic note or a box of buckets and lead ropes. Our sincere thanks go out to everyone."~~~