Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2010 2:20:20 GMT -5
Gregory Anderson started his first horse farm in England. He and his wife had a passion for equestrian sport, and they believed that they could breed world class warmbloods that would do well in competition. They set out to purify warmblood breeds with stable bloodlines. They started out on a small 25 acre farm, which over the years grew to 300 acres. Success seemed to be their destiny, as the farm boomed with prosperity. Soon, Linda Anderson became pregnant at 40 years old. They had never planned to have children; their life had always revolved around their horses, and not much else.
With the birth of Damian came change. Gregory and Linda then became more focused on their son than work. They left the farm in charge with one of their close employees, and moved to a flat in London. The farm was still theirs, and it carried their family name, but the couple just didn't have the willpower to take care of a farm and take care of their son as well. Damian grew up in London, and as he got older, he learned more about the equestrian life his parents held. Damian began to take up an interest in riding, and when the boy was 12 they moved back onto the original Anderson farm.
Over the years of Gregory & Linda's absence, the farm stayed in tip top shape, save for the wear and tear of the facility itself. They had become superstars of the equestrian world, their studs world renowned and their prestige skyrocketing. they soon opened the farm to the public, and started a training program for outside horses instead of just their own. This was a huge success, and led to them opening up riding lessons as well. It was then that Gregory had the urge to expand physically; as they were becoming more and more international as a team.
So, when Damian was 17, the family bought over a large piece of land in Black Forest, Germany. Never mind that they didn't know too much about Germany, or the language for that matter, Gregory had ambition. The land came with a very old farmhouse, that was soon brought up to date. They built one barn and converted the place into an equestrian facility. Business boomed yet again as top German equestrians recognized the name. Seeing that their current facility wouldn't last too long, they bought another pocket of land that extended off of their property and closer to Wolfach.
They tore down the old barn and built two new ones instead. They renovated the arena and added more pasture space, clearing riding trails as they went. They built on to the farmhouse, transforming it to a staff house, and discovered another house in a forested area that they renovated and moved in to. The additions greatly helped, and by 2007 they had a steady flow of business coming and going. Gregory decided to build a third barn for his son, as the first barn was beginning to wear down. Construction began on a third barn, and soon the foundation was set and walls were coming up.
Three months into the project, on a summer night, a fire broke out in barn two. At first this was not a huge concern, as the fire had started in the tack room, away from the horses. But another fire started at the opposite side of the barn, engulfing one half in flame. The staff tried desperately to stop the flames and get the horses out, but most were killed or injured in the process. The roof collapsed, crushing the building in an inferno of fire and wood. The flames killed 72 horses and 14 staff, whilst giving 9 others severe burns, and 9 people minor injuries.
After the tragedy, the farms was full of cops and detectives. But the cause of the fire, and why there was a second fire, was never found. Construction on barn three stopped abruptly. The farm went on hiatus, the family moving back to London for unknown reasons. Gregory and Linda Anderson died mysteriously a year later, apparently due to age-related issues.
With the birth of Damian came change. Gregory and Linda then became more focused on their son than work. They left the farm in charge with one of their close employees, and moved to a flat in London. The farm was still theirs, and it carried their family name, but the couple just didn't have the willpower to take care of a farm and take care of their son as well. Damian grew up in London, and as he got older, he learned more about the equestrian life his parents held. Damian began to take up an interest in riding, and when the boy was 12 they moved back onto the original Anderson farm.
Over the years of Gregory & Linda's absence, the farm stayed in tip top shape, save for the wear and tear of the facility itself. They had become superstars of the equestrian world, their studs world renowned and their prestige skyrocketing. they soon opened the farm to the public, and started a training program for outside horses instead of just their own. This was a huge success, and led to them opening up riding lessons as well. It was then that Gregory had the urge to expand physically; as they were becoming more and more international as a team.
So, when Damian was 17, the family bought over a large piece of land in Black Forest, Germany. Never mind that they didn't know too much about Germany, or the language for that matter, Gregory had ambition. The land came with a very old farmhouse, that was soon brought up to date. They built one barn and converted the place into an equestrian facility. Business boomed yet again as top German equestrians recognized the name. Seeing that their current facility wouldn't last too long, they bought another pocket of land that extended off of their property and closer to Wolfach.
They tore down the old barn and built two new ones instead. They renovated the arena and added more pasture space, clearing riding trails as they went. They built on to the farmhouse, transforming it to a staff house, and discovered another house in a forested area that they renovated and moved in to. The additions greatly helped, and by 2007 they had a steady flow of business coming and going. Gregory decided to build a third barn for his son, as the first barn was beginning to wear down. Construction began on a third barn, and soon the foundation was set and walls were coming up.
Three months into the project, on a summer night, a fire broke out in barn two. At first this was not a huge concern, as the fire had started in the tack room, away from the horses. But another fire started at the opposite side of the barn, engulfing one half in flame. The staff tried desperately to stop the flames and get the horses out, but most were killed or injured in the process. The roof collapsed, crushing the building in an inferno of fire and wood. The flames killed 72 horses and 14 staff, whilst giving 9 others severe burns, and 9 people minor injuries.
After the tragedy, the farms was full of cops and detectives. But the cause of the fire, and why there was a second fire, was never found. Construction on barn three stopped abruptly. The farm went on hiatus, the family moving back to London for unknown reasons. Gregory and Linda Anderson died mysteriously a year later, apparently due to age-related issues.