Daran Lockhart Insurance for the Equestrian Way of Life

Daran Lockhart is an equine insurance agent, but horses are not just his day job, they are his world.   Lockhart explains, “We live and breathe horses. We own & operate our own facility, Poseidon Stables. My wife, Karianne Boyce-Lockhart, is an FEI level rider and trainer.  She shows on the Hunter/Jumper circuit here on the west coast.”

Daran Lockhart and Karianne Boyce-Lockhart at Longines Paris Masters in Paris, France  Dec. 2018

This intimate exposure to the competitive horse world gives Daran clear insight into the insurance needs of horse and horse farm owners.  “I see things from both the horse owner’s perspective and the facility owner’s perspective. This enables me to give my clients the best advice about which coverages they need.”   

Lockhart says that most horse people are already knowledgeable about insurance, but they may not be aware of the breadth of options.  For example, Lockhart can insure horse vans and trailers, horses living in Europe, and imported horses during transport, flight and quarantine.   “I try to be helpful and a resource to my clients, whether I am talking to a trainer or a first-time horse buyer,” he says. Lockhart is a familiar face on the Hunter/Jumper circuit, but he insures horses from all types of disciplines, including dressage, western and stock breeds.

Daran joined the EMO Agency 16 years ago.   Four years ago, Marshall and Sterling acquired EMO.   “We are better than ever now,” explains Daran. “Marshall and Sterling is one of the biggest in the business, and that means we have more underwriters to choose from.   I like to be able to shop a policy and to bundle coverages so our clients can get the best bang for their buck.” Through Marshall and Sterling, Lockhart is able to bundle insurance policies for farms, horses, commercial vehicles and even homeowners together.   

Lockhart recommends shopping for new policies every 3-5 years, to make sure the best coverage package is in place.    “I have seen when insurance can save the day, but I also don’t like to see my clients ‘insurance poor,’ so we discuss strategies to keep premiums down.  For example, for an owner with several horses, might want to spread their premium over all their horses evenly, rather then insuring one select horse at a very high dollar value.“

Daran Lockhart and Hopscotch at the Longines Los Angeles Masters in 2015

Lockhart travels to the competitions with his wife regularly.   When he is not visiting with clients, he is grooming or cheering for his wife. Because he helps with the horse care, Lockhart understands that terminology can differ between insurers and trainers. “My clients have confidence that I can speak horse, and I can advise them from that viewpoint.  For example, I can explain the difference between a horse that has a weakness versus a clinically diagnosed lameness.”

Daran Lockhart at the Longines Los Angeles Masters in 2016

Lockhart married his college sweetheart in 2002, after graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in Religious Studies.   They built their first farm from the ground up, and their current facility, Poseidon Stables, as well. “My wife’s calling as a Hunter-Jumper trainer was clear.   Seeing as how it was to everyone’s benefit that I not ride horses, equine and farm insurance seemed like an obvious choice for me!” He adds, “I also found I had a knack for explaining insurance concepts.”   That knack has led Lockhart to become a trusted resource for horse owners seeking to reduce their risks and protect their prized investments.

Please contact Daran at [email protected] for additional details or to schedule an appointment.

For more information on The Emo Agency please visit https://www.rideemo.com/

For more information on Poseidon Stables please visit https://poseidonstables.com/