Anna Ross Davies has had to evacuate her yard at Cholderton Park, Wilts, because of a “devastating” fire at nearby Cholderton House.
The dressage rider only took over the lease on the yard, near Salisbury, in January
Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze at Cholderton House started at 7.22am this morning (Tuesday 6 March) in the sitting room and spread to the top two floors. The 17th-century manor house is privately owned.
Two people escaped from the house uninjured.
Neighbours and friends rallied round to lead the 25 horses on Anna’s yard to safety.
Anna told H&H: “To see something like this is heartbreaking and devastating.
“I want to thank my staff, neighbours and friends who all came to help me move the horses,” she added.
Twelve fire engines and 60 firefighters from Wiltshire and Hampshire were called out to deal with the fire and the nearby A338 was closed.
Although Anna’s yard was not damaged, her horses are being cared for at different yards in the area. Some are at fellow dressage rider, Roland Tong’s yard nearby.
