The riders at SA Showjumping didn't know Ella but one of the members found out about her and they honoured her a number of times - some of the riders wore black armbands in her memory; and have been using the hashtag #RideForElla. Over the Easter weekend they were part of the Nissan Easter Festival and handed over a memorial trophy to the top child competitor. We had been asked to attend and hand over the trophy but it was the day Jem and I flew to East London. I think it would also have been too soon for us. Maybe they will decide to do the same next year.
This is the tribute I wrote for their FB page and website;
"Sparkly, funny, intelligent, kind, driven, full of fun and love, Ella lived her life beautifully and courageously. With a quiet but strong inner confidence she would take our hands in hers, and forge ahead accepting every challenge and using it as an opportunity to grow and learn – and in doing so, teach us more than we could have taught her. She enjoyed nothing more than a good giggle and always had us laughing too.
Ella’s love for horses started
when she was just little and deepened as she grew, until almost everything she
did, read and wanted to do involved being on a horse.
We’re heartbroken that she’s no longer here for us to love and hold but know
she left doing something that meant so much to her.
An incredible daughter and
granddaughter, an amazing big sister, a beautiful niece and a truly loyal
friend, there are no words to express how much we all love and miss her, but
know that as she rides through fields of blue and yellow daisies, she remains
beside us, loving us and wanting us to mend.
Ellie, you are the most beautiful
thing we keep inside our heart.
“And Ella continued to see the world not as it is, but as it could
be, if only you believe in courage, kindness and occasionally just a little bit
of magic” (from the movie, Cinderella).
“My horse’s feet are as swift as rolling thunder. He carries me
away from all my fears. And when the world threatens to fall asunder, his mane
is there to wipe away my tears”.
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