HORSE riders around the world are using the hashtag #blueforbonnie to pay tribute to nine-year-old Bonnie Armitage who died in an accident this weekend.

The young horse enthusiast was out with the Cotswold Hunt on Saturday when she was kicked by a horse.

She was rushed by air ambulance to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital but died from her injuries.

Now horse riders have started posting pictures of themselves riding in blue with touching tributes to the young girl.



The idea quickly went viral with Tracy Vigors posting “#blueforbonnie. My stomach dropped when I heard this news. Sad beyond words #RIP” and Phemie Dillon posting “Such a tragic accident, you were taken far too young”.


Bonnie’s family also paid tribute to the young rider.

In a joint statement parents Nick and Polly Armitage said: "She was a beautiful, vivacious and compassionate girl, who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her.

"She loved riding, and was never happier than when with her Shetland pony, Lindsay.

"We will miss her more than we can say, and we greatly value the prayers of so many of our friends."

Bonnie's dad, Nick, who taught at Beaudesert School in Minchinhampton for eight years before joining St Hugh's in 2014, added: "She was our beautiful little girl."

Polly said: "It was just a tragic accident.

"I don't want anyone to be blamed for this. It was no one's fault."

Bonnie, aged nine, was riding her Shetland pony, Lindsay, when she was kicked in the chest by a larger horse in front when out with the Cotswold Hunt on Saturday.

She was airlifted to hospital in a 'life-threatening' condition and later died of her injuries.