When I first heard the breaking news early Sunday morning about the crash of Comair Flight 5191 at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Ky., I was distressed (see p. 48). I’ve flown in and out of that comfortably small airport when traveling to the Kentucky Horse Park many times. I immediately wondered if I’d be sitting at my desk on Monday writing about the loss of some fellow horsemen.

Sadly, the answer was yes.

Before I could investigate the details, an adult amateur rider who trained with Thomas Fahey called me to report that he was lost in the accident along with his young student, 16-year-old Paige Winters. Marty Sawyer’s voice choked with emotion as she told me of their loss and the huge hole it created in their tight-knit Kansas City area equestrian community.

While I didn’t know Thomas or Paige personally, speaking to Marty about them, their lives and accomplishments, their love of horses and riding, gave me chills. In addition, when Marty told me that Paige’s mother, Joan Winters, was bumped from the flight because it was overbooked, I choked back my own tears. Being a mother, I can imagine the heartbreak she must be enduring. She watched Paige walk down to that small jet, not knowing it was the final time she’d hug her daughter, hear her voice and kiss her goodbye.

As I worked through the day, I regularly scanned the newspapers and websites for further updates on the victims and the investigation. Of the 49 people lost on board the plane bound for Atlanta, it turns out there were many with ties to the horse world. The Thoroughbred industry, in particular, took a major hit as several prominent owners and breeders died.

But even just a day after this accident, I notice that many national media outlets have moved this story off the front page. I suppose that’s natural since an accident like this at a rural airport with relatively few fatalities in comparison to other world events is only noteworthy to a few people. But they’re our people. As the regional newspapers reported more names of victims and information about their lives, it brings to light how special each life is that was lost in the pre-dawn darkness in Lexington.

A close friend in the Thoroughbred industry told me today that those lost in the crash included several household names, people who have made significant impacts and contributions to the sport, such as Dan Mallory, Jeff Williams and George Brunacini, and with the plane going down adjacent to Keeneland Race Course in the vicinity of the Thoroughbred Club of America, it’s surely difficult for those who are frequent travelers on Rice and Versailles Roads. They’ve lost colleagues, friends and neighbors.

We take a risk each time we step onto a plane, although we take a greater risk each time we get into the car. But we have to continue to live each day to the fullest and not let fear shape our lives or twist it into something less desirable. Thomas and the Winters had been shopping for a new horse for Paige, searching for just the right match. Marty told me they had found the perfect horse that weekend.

Many other people on this doomed plane died in pursuit of something they loved, whether it was going on a honeymoon, coming home from a bridal shower, going to a family birthday party or searching for a dream horse. When events like this happen, I just try to remember that it’s not how much time you have on earth, but what you do with that time.

Tricia Booker