Three horses have died in a fire at one of the UK’s largest miniature horse farms. Three barns at Rosaphia Horses/Willock Farm in Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire were involved. The farm is home to miniature horse breeder Samantha Wheatley, her husband David and children Charlotte and Sophia. While all people were accounted for, the majority of the working farm’s equipment was lost.
Amanda Breakell, a friend of the family, set up a JustGiving page to raise funds to replace essential items. Within 24 hours more than half of the £5,000 target had been raised. Amanda said Samantha was “devastated” by what had happened. “As it was summer most of the horses were out but there were three who were stabled — a show colt she bred who was being prepped for the ring, an American mare she imported and another pony who had just been gelded and all three were lost,” she said.
“They have lost all of the outbuildings, the tractors, the stable yards — every rug, blanket, and brush has gone, there’s not even a hoof pick left. Just thank goodness it wasn’t wintering or the whole stable yard would have been full and the loss would have been tremendous.
The whole situation is absolutely tragic, I just can’t put it into words,” Amanda said. “I have known Sam for years, she bought her first miniature from me and she’s my best friend — I couldn’t just sit by and not do anything, so I set up the JustGiving page. I’m an end-stage kidney patient and Sam helped me when I needed it — she took on 24 miniatures I owned, which is a big ask — we will rebuild and get her back on her feet.”
