EXACTLY one year on from the tragic death of a talented young horsewoman, her family and friends have praised the ‘overwhelming’ response to fundraising efforts in her memory.

Ella Pallister was just 17 when she sadly passed away on January 30 last year following an accident at a show jumping event at Kingston Maurward.

The Thomas Hardye School pupil from Portesham was described as a ‘shining star’ who was ‘beautiful, bright and energetic’.

Following the tragedy Ella’s friends and family have set about raising funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and the Wessex Neurological Unit at Southampton Hospital, which both did all they could to try and save the teenager’s life.

A total of £25,230 has now been raised and Team Ella P, which the fundraisers have branded themselves, plan to keep the charity drive going following the anniversary.

Family friend Brenda Parker said: “Ella was just so popular she touched an awful lot of people. Her bubbly personality always came through.”

Major fundraising events held over the last 12 months include a ball and auction of promises that was held at the Riviera Hotel in Weymouth to mark Ella’s 18th birthday in June, which raised £14,500.

A further event was held at the George Albert Hotel at Clay Pigeon in October and raised another £5,900.

Ella’s school friends and others also got involved in various fundraising activities.

Brenda said that Ella’s friends and family were determined to keep the fundraising efforts in her memory going.

She said: “It’s definitely going to be carrying on.”