TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager who died after a horse riding accident at Kingston Maurward.

Talented horsewoman Ella Pallister suffered the fatal injuries while taking part in a British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) contest at the college near Dorchester on Sunday January 27.

The 17 year old from Portesham was flown by air ambulance to Southampton hospital where she died of her injuries yesterday, Wednesday January 30. 

She was studying A levels at the Thomas Hardye school in Dorchester as well as a BTEC at Kingston Maurward College.

Her parents Ted and Karen Pallister paid tribute to Ella and her love of horse riding.

“Ella was our shining star.

“All she has ever wanted was to ride her ponies and win her competitions in the fastest time possible!

“Her talent became obvious from the age of two and three quarters when she entered the Bath and West Show on her little black Shetland Arlington Louise - known as Lou Lou to Ella - to her latest accomplishment at the National School Equestrian Championships at Addington when the Thomas Hardye Team came sixth.

“There is so much more to say but at the moment our loss is too great to put into words.”

Ella, whose horse was Cocoon II, was a talented horsewoman who was a member of the Thomas Hardye School equestrian team.

At the end of last year she was in the school team that secured sixth place in the National School Equestrian Association’s annual show jumping finals at Addington Manor, near Milton Keynes.

She was taking part in the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) organised event at Kingston Maurward when the accident happened on Sunday lunchtime.

She was taken by a land ambulance to the Dorset County Hospital (DCH) where the waiting Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance flew her in 15 minutes to Southampton hospital.

A BSJA spokesman said: “It is with the deepest regret that the BSJA can confirm a rider aged 17 has died as a result of an injury sustained while competing at a Kingston Maurward show in Dorchester on Sunday January 27.

“Both BSJA and Kingston Maurward extend their condolences to the family during this difficult time.”

A spokesman for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance confirmed that the aircraft attended the scene on Sunday but then flew to the Dorset County Hospital to be ready to take Ella to Southampton.

She said that a land ambulance took Ella to DCH and the air ambulance flew her to Southampton, where they arrived at 2.10pm.

Ella, who was in year 13, was studying A levels at Thomas Hardye and a BTEC at Kingston Maurward College.

Thomas Hardye sixth formers were told of her death in special assemblies and a letter is being sent home with all pupils today, Thursday.

Students lit candles in Ella’s honour and shared their thoughts and memories after being told of her death.

A statement from the Thomas Hardye School said: “Staff and students at the school are completely devastated.

“Ella was a very popular young lady with a lot of friends and she will be incredibly missed.

“She was working very hard at her studies.

“Our thought and condolences are with the family at this time.”

The school is supporting grieving pupils. A vicar and a counsellor attached to the sixth form have gone into the school to help students come to terms with their loss.

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