'INCONSOLABLE'

Scots schoolgirl crowdfunds for new pony after beloved pet dies in freak accident

A Fife schoolgirl is crowdfunding for a new pony after her beloved pet died in a freak accident.

Tia Brown's seven-year-old horse Helena suffered a catastrophic head injury following a fall last weekend.

The 13-year-old, from Dunfermline, Fife, has been inconsolable since the tragedy.

Mum Maggie said the accident had left her daughter and the family heartbroken - with Tia so upset she was not able to attend school for days afterwards.

She said: “Tia has been inconsolable since.

"It was heartbreaking to watch Tia laying in the puddle for over an hour with Helena stroking her and willing her to come back to her even though it was too late."

The accident happened as Tia made her final preparations for a show jumping competition scheduled the following day.

Tragedy struck after Tia fell off her pony causing it to bolt.

As it fled the animal slipped in a puddle and cracked its head on a concrete post killing her outright.

Maggie told how friends put blankets over Tia and Helena and sat comforting the pair, who had been inseparable.

She added: "As her mum, not being able to take away her devastation and that pain was just awful.

“Tia lived and breathed horses and loved Helena so much.

“When she wasn't with her, she was talking about all the great plans and aspirations she had for them both."

Maggie said her daughter’s dream had been to compete with Helena at a future Royal Highland Show.

As her mum, not being able to take away her devastation and that pain was just awful.Maggie Brown

She said: “Helena was a happy and healthy horse that had already won many rosettes with Tia on her back and everyone had high hopes.

“Horses and show jumping was everything to Tia, it has been her complete obsession since she was five-years-old.”

Fearing that without a pony to love and care for, her daughter will lose her purpose and passion to compete, Maggie has launched a crowdfunding campaign in the hope of raising enough money to get another pony.

The family hope to raise to £5,000 - and have already reached £565 of their target.

Maggie revealed: “Tia had done everything to raise the money to buy Helena two years ago and they were inseparable ever since.

“We just want to do what we can for Tia so she can fill this void and continue with her show jumping, reach her potential and realise her dreams with Helena always in her heart.

"We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity heartfelt messages of support of those who have already made donations.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so here.