Cruel alleged act of arson guts Becky Klingenberg’s life work

A cruel alleged act of arson has ruined a Katherine woman’s livelihood and years of hard work and passion.

A CRUEL alleged act of arson has ruined a Katherine woman’s livelihood and years of hard work.

Professional trick rider and horse trainer Beck Klingenberg lost more than $120,000 of horse riding equipment after a fierce blaze demolished her multipurpose shipping container.

The unassuming steel container was once a nirvana for Ms Klingenberg.

Now, the formerly much-loved space lies completely gutted by the fire – turning her invaluable equipment and memories into piles of ash.

Ms Klingenberg's beloved shipping container office which was gutted by alleged arson. Picture: Supplied.

“It was where I sat and had my coffee, it was where I housed my prized possessions,” Ms Klingenberg said.

She said all of her essential items were in there; saddles, bridles, important documents like horse records and even her own birth certificate.

“Everything that mattered to me was in there,” she said. “It was kind of like my home – it was the core of my business that container.”

Trainer Becky Klingenberg on her property in Katherine East after her belongings was allegedly set on fire. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

Ms Klingenberg said she was in awe of the way the community had voluntarily and selflessly pitched in to help and support her.

“In the rawness of it all I had an amazing response from the community, people asking what I need and what they can do,” she said.

Friends and mentors have lent Ms Klingenberg saddles and other equipment so she could continue her work – although, she said, saddlery equipment was “quite personal”.

“Saddles and bridles are a lot more personal than just buying another spanner,” Ms Klingenberg said.

“I’m riding in other people’s saddles and I jokingly said the other day, it’s like wearing someone else’s undies,” she said. “Everything that was destroyed took years for me to mould it to me, which is irreplaceable. she said.

Trainer Bec Klingenberg has to restart her years of hard work. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

An NT Police spokesman said the incident was under investigation.

Ms Klingenberg “backed” herself and established her humble small business in 2019, turning her years of work and love of horses into a fruitful enterprise. When the gut-wrenching news first reached two of Ms Klingenberg’s mates, Steph Coombes and Tash McQueen, they started a Go Fund Me page.

The Katherine community has already raised more than $16,000 in an effort to help her.

“Thank you does not seem like enough,” Ms Klingenberg said. “I can’t wait for my opportunity to give back when someone is in need but it’s going to be a long journey.’