Equestrian community rallies for Elaine

The northern equestrian and farming communities have been left devastated by the tragic and senseless loss of one of its key riders and supporters.

Elaine Gee, 39, sadly died two days after a head-on crash on the West Tamar Highway at Legana on Friday.

She was driving her blue Nissan Navara home from work at the Launceston General Hospital shortly before 4.40pm when a blue Skoda hit her vehicle, killing the man behind the wheel who had allegedly stabbed a person known to him in Exeter shortly before the crash.

The stabbing victim is in a stable condition in hospital.

Elaine has long been a talented and dedicated equestrienne, competing in showjumping and more recently hunting with the Northern Hunt Club.

Husband Rodney is well known on the polocrosse field and their sons, aged 10 and 6, are riders with Birralee and Districts Pony Club, of which Elaine was heavily involved.

Birralee and Districts Pony Club district commissioner and Northern Hunt Club master of the hounds Hayley Atkins said that everyone is devastated.

“She was one of the most honest, forthcoming, fun-loving people I’ve ever met,” Hayley said.

“Elaine was a devoted parent and wife and despite her busy life with children, working as a nurse and riding she was always the first person to put her hand up to help.

“No matter what it was, from going over tests with the kids to co-ordinating events, she put everything into whatever she did.

“She was particularly enjoying hunting on her off-the-track thoroughbred, Silky Star, while having a break from competitive showjumping.”

Elaine was featured in a story about the Northern Hunt Club in Women’s Weekly magazine last year.

With at least six horses and her beloved chooks on the Gee’s Winkleigh property, local shop Exeter Farm and Feed has reacted to the many inquiries through the store and agreed to let anyone donate to the Gee’s account so that paying for food and supplies for their animals in coming months is not a concern.

There is also a GoFundMe account that has raised more than $120,000 in its first day.

Exeter Farm and Feed owner Amanda Beams said that Elaine was a regular customer in the shop and closely connected to the six staff members who are all involved to varying degrees in the horse riding world.

“We were being contacted by people who wanted to organise a delivery of feed and supplies to the family and we decided the easiest and safest way was to use our loyalty program to add money to the Gee’s account,” Amanda said.

“She loved talking about her home garden, her chooks and she had a little roadside farm box where she sold excess produce.

“Her paddock full of sunflowers, which she let people visit and enjoy, also brought her great joy.”

To donate to the Gee’s account where 100 percent will go to the family's needs, contact Exeter Farm and Feed on 63944547.