This has been a sad week for all equestrians here in Ireland. A young and talented rising star in Irish Eventing, Tiggy Hancock lost her life in a fatal fall, during team training Wednesday 16th June 2021.
Tiggy was from a horsey background and burst onto the Evening scene in 2019. She was so successful that year and in such a short time, that she ended up being selected for the Irish Team, heading to the European Eventing Pony Championships in Strzegom Poland, after a stellar performance in her first International Event, Kilguilkey International with her pony. The Irish Pony Eventing Team didn’t disappoint that year, and Tiggy and her team mates took a Team Bronze Medal home for Ireland.
Tiggy was also accomplished in the Showing Arena and had qualified for the UK Horse of The Year Show a number of times, finishing 7th overall in the Working Hunter Pony Class on one occasion. She had many friends in both the Showing and Eventing Communities and was well known for her happy demeanor, and kindness to her ponies. It is a great loss to Irish Equestrian Sport, who has lost one of it’s rising stars.
I would like to share a poem that I have written as a Tribute to Tiggy. Rest in Peace Sweet Girl.
Tribute to Tiggy Hancock
By Roma Burke DC AMC
A star that shone so brightly, you were stolen far too soon,
Now bound for the Heavens, way beyond the moon.
Although grief and pain consume us,
We must remember this,
Your Fun, Energy and Passion, was to us Your Gift.
As we cherish all the moments, with you we shared,
Knowing that for you sweet girl, so many people cared.
The Heavens needed an angel and so have chosen you,
For a higher purpose,
That is only known to few.
As you gallop through paradise, spreading joy along the way,
Send us down some special memories,
Because we miss you every day,
So until we meet again dear one, in pastures beyond the skies,
We will remember your sweet smile, with each new sunrise.