THE Scone Horse Trials committee will set up a memorial scholarship fund as a tribute to Olivia Inglis, who was fatally crushed by her horse during the event last Sunday.
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The 17-year-old eldest daughter of the well-known Inglis thoroughbred dynasty died when her mount, Coriolanus, tripped and fell during a jump at the Scone Horse Trials.
Committee president Blair Richardson said everyone was still reeling from the incident.
“It’s such a big tragedy; the equestrian community world-wide is in mourning,” Mr Richardson said.
“Our committee is in mourning, too.
“It was a massive tragedy and people are still in shock, locally, nationally and internationally.
“The committee’s thoughts go out to the Inglis family.
“Everyone knows the risk when you’re competing, but it’s been 16 years since the last tragic accident.
“I think that’s why everyone is doing it tough.”
Mr Richardson said the committee was now working in conjunction with Equestrian NSW to establish a memorial scholarship fund.
“We’re putting it together to assist young riders,” he told the Advocate.
“The remainder of last weekend’s prize money will go into the fund to kick-start it.
“This is how we [the committee] feel we can honour Olivia’s memory and turn something negative into a positive.”
Olivia’s parents, Charlotte and Arthur Inglis, have issued a statement in which they said they were blessed to share their love of horses with their daughter.
They said they had been overwhelmed by the kindness and sympathy from the equestrian and thoroughbred community as well as from Olivia's school community of Frensham, in Mittagong.
"We are so proud of Olivia and the beautiful young woman she was in every way. We are blessed to have had the opportunity to share our passion for horses with our children," Mr and Ms Inglis said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This has led us on a great journey where we have been able to spend countless happy moments and special family times. So much to celebrate and a life so joyous and well lived," the statement read.
A statement was issued by the Inglis company expressing the shock and sympathy being felt across the entire community.
The statement also broke the news that the horse that crushed Olivia had sustained significant injuries from the fall and had to be put down.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, company shareholders, staff and the entire thoroughbred community, our thoughts are with Arthur and Charlotte and their girls after the tragic passing of their lovely daughter Olivia," said Inglis' managing director Mark Webster.
"Unfortunately, Olivia's much loved horse Coriolanus has suffered injuries much worse than originally reported," a spokesperson for Inglis said.
On Tuesday, organisers of the Scone Horse Trials said Coriolanus was being treated for muscle soreness and minor skin abrasions, but following advice from the Scone Equine Hospital, Coriolanus was later euthanised.
"X-rays revealed he was suffering from a displaced fracture in his neck," the Inglis spokesperson said.
"He was a talented competitor and loved family member and will be sadly missed.”
As tributes to the talented young teenager continue to flow on Facebook, the hashtag #rideforolivia was used by her fellow riders to share images of themselves and their horses.
Local riding industry businesses who supported the hashtag said they planned to use the images to create a mosaic that would form a composite image of Olivia to give to the Inglis family.
On Tuesday a photoshopped image of the 17-year-old riding through the clouds was shared widely on Facebook. The image was captioned "fly free fly high"
A funeral service for Olivia will be held on Monday morning at St Judes church in Randwick.
