Riders pay tribute to young girl with #BlueForBonnie campaign

Riders from across the country are sharing pictures of themselves and their horses in memory of Bonamie Armitage, the nine-year-old girl who suffered fatal injuries while out with a hunt.

Owners are posting photographs on social media with the hashtag #BlueForBonnie, in memory of the schoolgirl, who was kicked by another horse while out with the Cotswold on Saturday (3 April).

The pictures include rider or horse wearing something blue, as this was Bonnie’s favourite colour.

Tracy TMac wrote on Twitter: “Competitive or not, addicted we become, in times of devastation, equestrians form as one.”

Hayley Dawn Whiteley posted: “Nine years old is far too young to leave this world, post a picture of you and your horse in blue.”

Bonnie was riding her Shetland pony Lindsay when she was kicked. She was airlifted to hospital but died later that day.

Jack Lander wrote: “Hope you are riding in the sky”.

The campaign echoes the #RideForOlivia hashtag, for which riders shared their favourite horsey pictures in memory of Olivia Inglis, who died in an eventing accident on 6 March. The pictures were made into a mosaic of Olivia riding, which was given to her family.

Kally Gray wrote on Facebook: “This was so powerful previously on social media. Can we do it again?”

Related articles:

• Riders pay tribute to young eventer in viral #rideforolivia campaign
• NIne-year-old girl dies in hunting accident

A statement released by Bonnie’s family last night read: “Our daughter, Bonnie, was a wonderful person. She was a beautiful, vivacious and compassionate girl, who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her.

“She loved riding, and was never happier than when with her Shetland pony, Lindsay.

“We will miss her more than we can say, and we greatly value the prayers of so many of our friends.”

Eleanor Jones

H&H news editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.