Equestrians all over the world – including some of the most famous – are sharing their favourite photo of themselves in action with their horses as a tribute to teenager Olivia Inglis, who was so tragically killed at the Scone Horse Trials in Australia on Sunday.
Olivia and her horse Coriolanus had a rotational fall on cross-country and despite best efforts of the rescue services, Olivia could not be revived and died at the scene. She was just 17 and obviously an extremely popular and talented young woman.
Coriolanus was later euthanised due to the serious neck injury he incurred.
Eventers are a tight bunch, and having one of their own killed during a competition is always devastating. When the call went out from friends: “For all of our eventing community and also friends and riders that knew the amazing Olivia….We are putting together a special mosaic print for the Inglis family, but need your help! Please post your most favourite photo of you and your beloved horse and add #rideforolivia when you post it, where it will then be incorporated into the mosaic which will make up the one overall photo of Olivia riding. Please pass this on so we can get 100s of photos together!”
While the vast majority of those who responded didn’t personally know Olivia or her family, when they heard there was something they could do, they leapt into action. Forget hundreds, there are now hundreds of thousands (and update, probably millions) of photos dominating Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #rideforOlivia. It also hasn’t stopped within the eventing community but has touched people all through the equestrian world. Those at the top of the sport, including Olympians, through to happy hackers, have joined in. Even riders who have not competed for many years have shown their support for the bereaved family, by scanning a favourite old print and posting it with the hashtag.
How all these photos will be harnessed into a mosaic print remains to be seen, but we just hope that it gives Olivia’s family and friends some light in their dark time.
If you are posting a photo in support of Olivia, please make that post public, otherwise only your friends will be able to see it.
Here are some examples of some of the riders who have contributed to the #rideforOlivia plus there are more on Instagram and Twitter including this one from fellow Australian Andrew Hoy.
My thoughts & prayers are with the Inglis family-may the memory of Olivia live forever in our hearts #rideforolivia pic.twitter.com/XeIf5XEhN1
— Andrew Hoy (@HoyEventing) March 8, 2016
