“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard ~ A.A. MILNE
One Year. How has it already been a year?
There are moments when time seems to freeze — when everything and everyone fades into the background. Minutes stretch into what feels like forever. In those moments, you bargain with time, with fate, with anything you can — to stop the inevitable. But the truth is, you don’t always win.
And yet, in so many ways, we did win – because we were blessed with Georgie. Even if only for a short time, there were so many moments and memories created that will always be cherished.
Grief, though, is complicated. It’s the struggle of accepting pain, making sense of loss, and learning how to move forward without guilt. People often say, “It gets easier.” But the truth is that it doesn’t. Not really. You just learn to carry it differently. You find new ways to manage the weight of it.
And amidst the grief, you develop this deep, unshakable gratitude — for the good moments, for the people you still have —because you’ve seen how suddenly life can change, how fragile it really is.
How do you even begin to comprehend that kind of contrast?
That is the dichotomy of grief and gratitude.
To know Georgie was to love her. She was caring, generous, hilarious, and full of life. Everyone who met her would say the same: Georgie could light up the room with her smile and her laughter. She was effervescent – a radiant soul who embraced every second of life with joy and vibrance.
Georgie was a remarkably talented and dedicated equestrian. She began riding at the age of two, was shortlisted for the British junior team in her teens, and made her five-star debut in 2009. From there, her career soared. She represented Great Britain on multiple Nations Cup teams and competed at the prestigious Badminton, Burghley, and Pau five-star events. In an interview with Equine America, she cited winning the 4* Long at Lignières in 2022 aboard Global Quest as one of her proudest moments.
In Jesse, Georgie found her soulmate. They married on 12th December 2020 and together built Team Campbell Eventing, their shared vision and passion brought to life.
Whenever I think of Georgie and Jesse, one memory always comes to mind: Jesse’s unforgettable (and somewhat unplanned) dismount from Kaapachino at Bramham Horse Trials, 2013. I remember thinking, “This guy knows how to land on his feet”, — and he did. They both did. I’m deeply sorry for Jesse’s loss, but profoundly grateful that they had each other.
With her passing, The Georgie Campbell Foundation was created to honour her legacy. At its heart lies a mission to support and nurture young talent in the equestrian world.
It aims to:
- Improve rider and horse safety by supporting the roll out of frangible devices that reduce the risk of rotational falls
- Provide riders with support to establish and run early-stage eventing businesses through the provision of mentoring, educational training, and bursary support in areas including financial management, and attracting and retaining owners and sponsors
There is no tribute more fitting than one where Georgie’s lasting impact will be remembered and deeply cherished.
Dearest Georgie. You are missed. You are remembered. We strive always to honour your legacy.
For more information on The Georgie Campbell Foundation, please visit https://georgiecampbellfoundation.org.uk
If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember you’re not alone. The British Eventing Support Trust offers a confidential helpline, available to support anyone impacted who needs someone to talk to.
Call 07393 140 149
24/7, free and confidential
