Guests at tomorrow night’s British Eventing Ball will wear ribbons in memory of 17-year-old junior event rider Rosie Stewart, who died a week ago in a tragic accident.
Rosie, a member of this year’s junior European squad, died in a car crash last Friday (2 November) while driving to Tudor Hall School, near Banbury.
Rosie competed regularly at one-star level with her top horse Get Up And Go II.
They completed the Dutch event Ede CCI* on their dressage score, earning them the trip to Avenches, Switzerland, as an individual rider at the European championships this summer.
There, Rosie performed an outstanding clear round in the show jumping phase to finish 41st, following a mistake at the penultimate cross-country fence.
“She was dedicated, hardworking, talented and a charming girl,” said Gill Watson, junior team trainer. “She could have gone far in eventing, because she not only loved it but was committed.”
Ribbons for Rosie will be on sale at the British Eventing Ball tomorrow, which Rosie was to attend. Money raised from the ribbons will be donated to a charity chosen by Rosie’s family.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (8 November, ’07)
