#RideForRosie: tributes paid to teenage rider
Hundreds of riders have paid tribute to 15-year-old Rosie Abbott (pictured above). The keen young horsewoman and dedicated charity fundraiser passed away peacefully at home on 27 January, five years after being diagnosed with cancer.
Coventry-based Rosie raised more than £20,000 for various charities, including Teenage Cancer Trust, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, The Little Princess Trust, Make a Wish and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
She continued riding until the end of last year and despite her worsening health was able to visit her horses Jackson and Skittles at the stables in January.
Last November, Rosie was named as a Radio 1 teen hero and collected the honour at the Teen Awards at Wembley Arena. She was nominated by riders at her yard, Hollyfast Meadows Central Equestrian, for her courage and fundraising efforts.
Rosie was also named child of courage at the Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Awards in March.
The sad news was announced on the Raise for Rosie Facebook page by her family. A service to celebrate Rosie’s life will be held at Coventry Cathedral on Thursday (9 February) at 12.45pm. Donations are requested in lieu of flowers to help support Teenage Cancer Trust.
#RideForRosie
Tributes have flooded social media from Rosie’s friends, family and supporters.
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A hashtag has been started (#RideForRosie) encouraging riders to share pictures of themselves and their horses, and there has been a fantastic response.
The photographs will be used to create a mosaic photograph of Rosie for her family.
‘She lived life to the full’
RideforRosie Another person lost too young, she lived life to the full but sadly lost her battle to cancer ? at such a young age of 15. This was me at 15 years old. “One life, Live it” please use…
‘Rosie was beautiful, inspirational and a true fighter’
I'm sure many of you have read or heard that Rosie Abbott has very sadly passed away aged 15 after a long, brave,…Posted by Field Farm – Bring Your Horse On Holiday on Friday, February 3, 2017
‘An incredibly brave young lady’
rideforrosie A very inspirational and incredibly brave young lady. I am saddened by the heartbreaking news and send love and light to her equally brave and incredible family x Rosie’s incredible…
‘Taken too soon’
rideforrosie Taken too soon, thoughts go out to the Abbott family x
‘An inspiration for many’
#RideforRosie Rosie Abbot fought hard for 5 years with a recurring brain tumour and is an inspiration for many girls Xx #ripangel ? pic.twitter.com/atPbpoJ6KW#RideforRosie Rosie Abbot fought hard for 5 years with a recurring brain tumour and is an inspiration for many girls Xx #ripangel ? pic.twitter.com/atPbpoJ6KW— Georgie Tucker (@Georgie_Tucker7) January 31, 2017— Georgie Tucker (@Georgie_Tucker7) January 31, 2017
‘Real bravery’
#RideforRosie RIP Rosie. An incredible young person who should be a reminder of real bravery and kindness. Ride free#RideforRosie RIP Rosie. An incredible young person who should be a reminder of real bravery and kindness. Ride free— c'est moi (@morph1964) February 2, 2017— c'est moi (@morph1964) February 2, 2017
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.