Sometimes an unimaginable event rocks your entire world, knocks the wind out of you, and threatens to defeat you. Tragedies like this rob you of what you love, and jeopardize the passion that has been deeply rooted within from childhood, from which your livelihood is built. Unfortunately, an event such as this took place at Bit of Heaven Farm.

In the words of barn owner and trainer Cassie Messina Rainbolt:

I’m at a bit of a loss for words and feeling pretty numb. Friday evening, lightning struck a tree in our field and took three of my horses. Never in a million years would I think I would have to experience this a second time. This time stings a bit harder, as I had just sent my students home after a week of summer clinic, had to call several of them back to say goodbye to their horses, stolen from them in a blink of an eye. The feeling is gut wrenching, knowing what they were feeling and walking them through the hardest lesson they’ll learn in this life while swallowing it myself.

I’m so thankful to have had Jaws, Jet, and Scooter, for the excellent teachers that they were to both me and my students. Especially to Jaws, for being my guide into the cutting pen and for his second career-always putting his best foot forward as the ultimate confidence builder. The best dollar I’ve ever spent. 12 years with him was not nearly enough. Life is definitely feeling cruel right now, but seeing those students in the barn this weekend made me feel just a little less beat down.

Nothing prepares you for the loss this way, I flat out just can’t comprehend that this has happened twice in my lifetime, balancing losing what feels like my right hand as those horses took care of their riders, watching my students grieve a familiar loss, and what a large part of my business they were. Irreplaceable yet needing to be immediately replaced.

To make matters worse, due to the cause of the horses' deaths being deemed as an act of god, insurance does not cover it.

The entire barn family is grieving the devastating loss of 3 beloved horses. Cassie is juggling her grief, helping her students navigate theirs, continuing to run her riding program, all while attempting to recover from the financial burden. For all who know Cassie, asking for help is not something she does without hesitation. So, with her blessing we are reaching out on her behalf.

In the words of Cassie's students:

"The lessons go far beyond the back of a horse. They teach you responsibility, companionship and hard work. Cassie and her lesson horses have helped build the foundation for me." -Payton, 14

"The horses have taught me a new kind of love, I never knew existed." -Faith, 14

"No matter what the circumstance is, Cassie is always striving for us to become a better rider and is truly the most selfless human." -Mia, 14

"Wish I had 10 horses named Jet, just like him! I'll forever miss him" -Emily, 9

"Scooter was the best horse I've ever met. He helped me learn to be patient and to never give up." -Calleigh, 12

"Cassie has made an enormous impact on my skills, not just riding, but my whole life." -Isabelle, 13

" I love Jaws so much. He was the first horse I did a show with!" -Sophia, 10

"I could never thank Cassie or the horses enough for everything they have done to help me become the person I am today." -Camille

"Cassie has made more than just a place you come and ride. It's like a second home." Aubri, 12