A foundation was started in the name of young eventing rider, Olivia Inglis after she died during the cross-country competition at the Scone Horse Trials on March 6.

The Olivia Inglis Foundation was established with the original purpose of helping young riders with training for elite competitions, however the direction of the foundation changed after another rider lost her life in a horse-related accident. 

Caitlyn Fischer died in May when a horse fell on her at the Sydney International Horse Trials. 

Caitlyn was competing in the competition when her horse hit its foot on the fence it was jumping and fell onto her. 

The foundation broadened their objectives based on these accidents to fund projects that concerned the safety of riders. 

One of the first projects that the foundation started was the construction of a new jump at Berrima District Pony Club, of which Olivia was a member. 

The Trustees of the Olivia Inglis Foundation donated $15,000 to the planning and building of the jump. 

The new jump will be called the Olivia Inglis Memorial Water Jump and will be a welcomed addition to the pony club’s existing cross-country course. 

The jump will be located on the pony club grounds at the corner Moss Vale and Osborne Roads, Burradoo.

The new jump will not only give young riders more experience with water obstacles, but will also allow the club to remember and celebrate Olivia’s life. 

Berrima District Pony Club president Mark Greig said the planning and building of the jump had been on the agenda for more than 10 years.

“It was at the start of 2016 that the Club committee decided the time had come to invest in the out-dated water jump complex, and set about designing and planning the new development with the help of world-class jump builder, Brett Ryan,” he said. 

“We started to raise funds through club members but the injection of funding from the Olivia Inglis Foundation was a very big help.”

Greig said the jump was a perfect way to remember Olivia at the club.

“Olivia was a lovely girl and she was a very big part of the club. Young riders can remember Olivia through the club and see what an inspirational rider she was,” he said. 

Greig also said it was important for both riders and horses to have experience around water. 

“The jump will have a number of different entry points so that riders of all skill levels can practise with it,” he said. 

Construction is underway and the final works are scheduled to be completed in February 2017.