THE equestrian community in Northern Ireland, and further afield, were shocked and profoundly saddened when they learned of the death last Saturday of Co Down show pony rider Ellie McDonnell.

The 16-year-old from Portaferry had fought hard with courage and determination to recover from the very serious injuries she had suffered when the quad she was riding was in collision with a jeep driven by her mother on a lane leading to the family home last July.