Whether your passions lie in the thoroughbred racing or show/sport horse community, we have solutions to protect your equine and farm exposures. Our professional team has over 75 years’ experience working directly in the areas of racing, breeding, equine and farm liability, as well as farm owner’s coverages.
Our strategic alliances with insurance carriers allow us to place your coverage with some of the top-rated companies to protect even your most unique exposures. Let us show you how we can protect your passions and investments.
Farm & Equine insurance Solutions
Equine Mortality
Provides coverage on your horse if you lose them due to an accident, illness, injury, disease, or veterinary recommended euthanasia.
Major Medical and Surgical
This endorsement offers reimbursement for veterinary treatments (both medical and surgical) for accidents, injuries, illness, or disease up to a limit.
Farm Owner’s Insurance
Provides coverage to dwellings, barns, farm structures, equipment, and equine liability all in one policy.
Commercial Equine Liability
Provides customized protection for individuals and businesses earning income from equine activities, including liability from personally owned horses.
Surgical Coverage
This endorsement provides reimbursement for veterinary surgical procedures under general anesthesia.
Personal Horse Owner’s Liability
Protects horse owners with no commercial involvement from property damage or injuries caused by their horses, on or off premises.
Prospective Foal Coverage
Provides coverage against a mare that is greater than 42 days in foal aborting, slipping, carrying twins, or delivering a still born foal.
Horse Show/Event Liability
Available on a short-term or annual basis for horse shows or series to insure against the risks involved in equestrian events.
Club Liability
Provides protection for the club and its members from legally obligated costs due to property damage or bodily injury of a third-party during club activities.
And more!
Call us today to see how we can help you with your farm and equine needs.
Learn More About Sterling Thompson Equine
Farm and Equine Insurance Team
Matt Delehanty
Director of Equine Insurance
Matt Delehanty graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME with a BA in English in 1998. He moved to Kentucky in 2003 and accepted an internship with Longfield Farm and Kevin Lavin. In conjunction with Lavin Insurance, he was hired as an insurance broker with Hughes-Gibb, a division of Willis Limited in London, and worked placing equine mortality insurance on behalf of domestic agencies into the Lloyds of London market. He returned to the United States and began to work full time for Sterling Thompson Equine in January 2004. Sterling Thompson Equine represents many of the largest equine insurance companies in the world and Matt works with all of them to provide equine mortality, liability and farm insurance solutions for domestic and international clients. He lives in Anchorage, KY with his wife and three children.
Guadalupe Barajas
Equine Insurance Service Specialist
Guadalupe joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2025, bringing several years of experience in the insurance industry and a strong commitment to client service. In her role, she supports clients within the equine sector, assisting with policy servicing, administrative processes, and ensuring clear and timely communication. She is dedicated to providing efficient, detail-oriented support while continuing to grow her knowledge in the field.
Originally from Mexico, Guadalupe moved to the United States at the age of nine and graduated from Laurel High School. She began her insurance career with Komlo & Associates in 2018, where she built a solid foundation in customer service and account management. Now with Sterling Thompson Company, she is excited to further her career, expand her skill set, and make a meaningful impact within the industry.
Carly Benitez
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Carly was born and raised in Maryland, where she began riding horses at the age of eight. In 2000, she joined the Spur & Stirrup 4-H Club in Howard County, Maryland, and went on to compete in local, county, and state shows throughout her youth.
She attended Clemson University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences with a concentration in Equine Business. She later continued her education at UMUC, where she earned both a Master’s degree in Management with a specialization in Emergency Management and an MBA.
In 2018, Carly joined the Komlo & Associates team, combining her passion for horses with her business expertise. Known for her attention to detail, she values clear, efficient communication and enjoys building strong relationships with clients. In 2025, she joined Sterling Thompson Company and looks forward to continuing to expand her knowledge while enhancing the overall client experience.
Carly resides in Maryland with her husband, Matt, along with her horse and dog. She remains active in the equestrian community, continuing to ride and staying involved with 4-H at the club, county, and state levels.
Erin McCarthy-Clifton
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Erin was born and raised in Lexington, KY where she attended the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Equine Science and Management in 2020. Throughout college, she worked part-time at a breeding farm in Lexington. Upon completion of her undergrad degree, Erin went on to complete the Kentucky Equine Management Internship, where she was placed with Lanes End Farm working with sale yearlings, weanlings, and mares over the course of six months. During her time there she became familiar with the different components that go into Thoroughbred sales and her love for the industry took off. For a short period before coming to Sterling Thompson Company, she worked at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an administrative assistant in the surgery department.
In March of 2022 Erin joined Sterling Thompson Company. She has been working to build her own book of business as an Equine Insurance Account Manager and continues to grow in her career at SGT.
In Erin’s spare time she enjoys reading, hot pilates, live music, and spending time with family and friends.
Christine Hayden
Equine Insurance Practice Leader
Christine is originally from Illinois, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, with a focus on the horse industry. After graduation, she managed her own business retraining off-track Thoroughbreds as foxhunting and competition mounts. A decade later, she found herself drawn to Kentucky with an opportunity to manage a private sport horse farm. After a few years and a desire for a career with climate control, Christine spent time employed as a veterinary technician, and then a licensed claims adjuster for both pet and equine insurance. After ten years as an adjuster, she moved over to the agency side of equine insurance and has been with Sterling Thompson Equine since 2017.
Much of her free time is spent with her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Finn, as they enjoy the sport of eventing. She is also an avid nature and equine photographer. She and her husband enjoy traveling, always with camera equipment in tow.
Jennifer Jefferson (Goebel)
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Jennifer has been with Sterling Thompson Company since 2012 and has shown horses her entire life. She has been in the Thoroughbred Industry as well as the Equine Insurance Industry for over 20 years. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She is married to Bryan Jefferson and lives in Paris, Kentucky. She is the mother of two boys and two girls –Cade, Braden, Brookey, and Charley as well as to her bonus daughter Ashley Jefferson.
Briana Johnson
Farm Insurance Practice Leader
Briana Johnson began her equestrian career in the 1980s at Alpine Farms in Medina, MN. She later joined North Star Pony Club, where she earned her ‘B’ rating. Over the years, Briana has competed in Hunter/Jumpers, Ranch Horse Versatility, Dressage, Eventing, and has a strong passion for foxhunting. Since 2006, Briana has worked in the equine insurance industry and in 2025, she brought her years of knowledge and lifelong commitment to the equestrian community to Sterling Thompson Company.
Based in Minnesota, Briana currently competes her Connemara Sport Pony at the Beginner Novice level in Eventing. During the winter months, they travel to Georgia to continue training and competing in a warmer climate.
Val Jones
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Originally from Ellsworth, OH, Val wandered into the horse world as a child and never looked back. With a foundation of riding Hunters, Dressage, and Grassroots Eventing she transitioned to the racing industry through an apprenticeship and gained a wealth of rehabilitation knowledge. She graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Zoology (focusing on physiology) and did a stint in biomedical research. Deciding that bench work just wasn’t her thing she returned to the horse world as a riding instructor and ran her own layup program for retired race horses and sport horses. She also spent several years as an equine insurance adjuster.
Val is excited and honored to be a part of Sterling Thompson Company’s Equine department. She and her husband live on a farm in Lodi, OH with their three horses, three dogs, three “inside” cats, and two “barn” cats. Outside of riding she enjoys training for long-distance backpacking trips, camping, reading, cooking, and simply relaxing at her farm.
Wendy Komlo
Senior Equine Risk Advisor
After graduating from the University of Maryland, Wendy’s career in the insurance business began with Nationwide in 1985 and then a move to an independent agency for two years. She then started her own agency, Komlo & Associates, with her father and brother in 1990. The agency focused on three areas – Life & Health, Employee Benefits and Property & Casualty.
In 2012, the personal and commercial lines were sold so that Wendy’s entire focus could be geared entirely to the equine industry. With her owning and breeding her own race horses, that knowledge was extended to the entire horse industry. The specialization into workers compensation to the equine industry was a natural fit. The agency started from scratch and has grown substantially over the years. Wendy has been the first call for thoroughbred horse trainers in need of work comp ever since. She joined Sterling Thompson Company in October 2025.
Kevin S. Lavin, CIC
Senior Equine Risk Advisor
A Native of Louisville, Kevin grew up on Longfield Farm, and is the 4th generation member of his family to be involved in the horse industry. The Lavin Family has worked in and around the thoroughbred community for over 50 Years. His grandfather, A.W. “Doc” Lavin was a longtime racing official and racing secretary, while his father, Gary is a retired racetrack veterinarian, past president of the AAEP and a member of the Jockey Club. His mother served two times on the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority. After graduating from Centre College in 1987, he worked for Harris & Harris, a property and casualty insurance agency. He became a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1996 and then founded Lavin Insurance Services in 1997, which specialized in equine insurance. Kevin gives back to the equine community by serving on numerous boards. His past and present directorships include Longfield Farm and Lavin Bloodstock Services, Thoroughbred Club of America, The Kentucky Derby Museum, Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, The Backside Learning Center and many others. Kevin resides in Louisville Kentucky with his wife Amy and their three girls, Eleanor, Lulu, and Hattie.
Debora Lee
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Debora grew up in Illinois and began riding as a child, later graduating from Virginia Intermont College with a BA in Equine Studies. While in college she rode on the Intercollegiate riding team and was active on the local and A-Rated show circuits. After college she managed various horse farms and then moved to equine insurance, becoming a licensed agent. Debora has travelled the country competing in dog shows with her dogs and has earned many top 10 national rankings. She is married to a retired National Guard serviceman who has served 3 tours in Iraq, and has a teenaged son. She enjoys spending time with her family, her current dogs—an Australian Shepherd and a Dalmatian, and following horse racing.
Kelly Nezbeth, AINS
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Kelly Nezbeth is a licensed Equine Insurance Account Manager at Sterling Thompson Company, bringing over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. She is deeply committed to delivering attentive, high-quality service and takes pride in building strong, lasting relationships with her clients. Although she is an avid Wildcats fan, Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville. She also studied music in college and loves to sing. Originally from Middletown, Kelly now resides in Crestwood with her children. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, movies, cooking, and attending concerts, finding her greatest sense of calm at the beach.
Amy Pendleton
Equine Insurance Account Executive
Amy joined Sterling Thompson Company in June 2022 and brought over 25 years of Equine Insurance experience. In addition to her attention to detail and exceptional client services, she believes that building strong client relationships and maintaining a high level of professionalism has been the key to her success. Amy looks forward to putting her experience to work at Sterling Thompson Company.
Amy likes to spend her spare time out on Lake Cumberland, spending time with her adult children and antiquing.
Barbara Peters
Equine Insurance Account Manager
Barbara grew up in Southeast Michigan. She was involved in her local riding clubs and spent a summer volunteering with the Shrine Circus Arabians as a groom/exerciser. Since few equine-related opportunities were available in the suburbs, she put her love for horses on hold to pursue a career in the business world as an office manager acquiring a variety of skills and experience. Barbara later moved to Northeast Michigan and was able to rekindle her passion for horses as a stable manager and riding instructor for a small lesson barn. She joined the Sterling Thompson Equine staff and moved to Kentucky in the fall of 2004. Barbara obtained her Property and Casualty License in 2006. In 2011 Barbara purchased a small piece of land dubbing it ‘Almosta Farm’, where she has three donkeys, two of which are rescues, along with three dogs: Castro, Corzo and Olive You.
Bonnie Stewart
Equine Insurance Accounting Coordinator
Bonnie joined Sterling Thompson Equine in 2017. She attended Indiana University for a B.S. in Nursing, but along the way “discovered” numbers and a new life-long relationship began. Bonnie worked 15 years for a bank holding company as a manager of bank operations in locations in Iowa and Minnesota. Upon returning to Indiana she accepted an offer with a CPA firm, leading to 20 years in accounting. This included two local top 100 firms, providing and managing an array of outsourced accounting services to companies in a number of industries.
Outside of work, Bonnie enjoys snowmobiling, golfing, fishing and, much to her husband Don’s dismay, pursuing additions to her Moon and Stars glassware collection.
