Boyd Martin’s Neville Bardos ended a dramatic season full of despair and exhilaration on a high note. The 13-year-old Australian Thoroughbred was named the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s Horse Of The Year in international disciplines.
Neville and Martin started the year by placing second at the Red Hills Horse Trials CIC*** (Fla.) in March, but tragedy struck over Memorial Day when Martin’s barn burnt down at Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in West Grove, Pa., claiming six horses and leaving Neville with serious damage from smoke inhalation.
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After a miraculous recovery—and a hard summer for Martin and his wife Silva, as they both lost their fathers—Neville rebounded in August to place fourth at the Millbrook Horse Trials (N.Y.). He finished his season in stellar form by tackling the CCI**** at the Burghley Horse Trials in England and finishing seventh.
Neville Bardos has become a favorite among horse people in all industries. Hear the response to Neville’s award at the 2011 USEF award dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the USEF Network.
