COMPLETELY surrounded by love, beautiful flowers, and heartfelt tributes, Tiggy Hancock (15) was laid to rest in a beautiful ceremony on Monday afternoon.

In bright sunshine, a guard of honour was formed at the Church of The Good Shepherd, Lorum, Co Carlow. Her many fellow young riders paid their respects – all wearing yellow ribbons – a fitting tribute that many riders at home and across the world also paid to Tiggy.

The teenager’s wickerwork coffin, draped in white, pink and yellow roses among the floral tributes, was accompanied by a large photograph of Tiggy in characteristic full flight riding mode.

Tiggy’s parents, Jane and Frank, her sisters Eliza and Lucy, were joined by over 400 mourners outside the church while an estimated 4,000 followed the ceremony online. Officiating at the ceremony were the Very Rev Dean Ronné and Dean Tom Gordan.

Tiggy’s extraordinary achievements and her many endearing qualities were celebrated in a poignant ceremony that truly touched everyone’s hearts.

Tiggy father Frank thanked all those who had comforted them in the days since the tragedy, especially mentioning the young members of Carlow Pony Club, Ballinree, Garyhill, Fenagh and Bagenalstown, including Kilkenny College where Tiggy attended school, and her many equestrian friends.

“Thanks to the parish of Lorum for being so wonderful to us. Tiggy’s final resting place is in a beautiful spot,” said Frank Hancock.

Lucy paid tribute to her sister as being ‘beautiful from her core’ with an ‘infectious sense of humour’ and ‘a strong moral compass’, while Eliza said she would ‘continue to see Tiggy in every golden flower, soaring bird and buzzing bee’.

Her family have set up TiggysTrust.com in her memory, aimed at helping young people make the most of opportunities, and supporting charities that would have appealed to her.

Loved by all

In a post on social media Tiggy’s mother Jane wrote: “Thank you everyone for helping give Tiggy such a beautiful send off. To see her friends dressed for her with their whips, plaits, sashes and buzzy bee jumpers was so special. Tiggy was loved by so many and she loved so many – age was nothing to her and sharing that love with the friends she truly loved from age six to 86 was so special.

“Thank you everyone who watched from far away and for your beautiful messages and cards that have helped us through these days – thank you to all her friends who made heart-warming video edits, shared memories and posts and for all those amazing tributes from her idols.”

Worldwide tributes

Here at home, many equestrian events were cancelled as a mark of respect. In show jumping and eventing competitions, riders wore yellow armbands in memory of Tiggy and her favourite colour.

A minute’s silence was held in respect of Tiggy at the FEI Longines Nations Cup in Sopot, Poland. The Irish team, who came third, wore yellow armbands. Tiggy’s idol, German star Marcus Ehning, also wore a yellow armband in tribute to her. Asides from yellow armbands being wore at the prestigious Global Champions Tour, jockeys at Royal Ascot on Saturday also wore yellow ribbons on their silks in honour of Tiggy.

Jane Hancock added in her social media posts: “Thank you to the hundreds who rode for Tiggy in their armbands, ribbons and ties – I am sure she was watching and sprinkled some golden dust down to help them achieve goals that were so dear to her.

“Thank you for believing in our ‘tiny perfect person’. Please remember her kindness and let it brighten the world.”