Friends and family pay tribute to Georgie Campbell


  • Eventer Georgie Campbell might be remembered for her smile, kindness, and skill by way of all those that knew her.

    Georgie was once born on 7 October 1987 and grew up on her folks Ian and Debbie Strang’s Little Scotney Farm, in Kent, along with her older sister Jo and more youthful sister Bertie. Debbie ran a livery backyard and taught, and Georgie began using elderly two.

    Georgie’s aggressive equestrian occupation started in appearing elderly six, using for manufacturers Chris Willett and Carol and Simone Gilbert-Scott at Horse of the Yr Display and the Royal World Horse Display.

    She was once a much-loved member of the Romney Marsh department of the Pony Membership along with her 12.2hh pony Mountpleasant Western Famous person (Famous person). She represented her department on groups around the disciplines and competed on the Pony Membership championships six occasions. In 2008 she gained the Urky Newton bursary for the most efficient cross-country spherical.

    She attended Cranbrook Grammar College, then finished a sports activities science level at Nottingham Trent College. All through this time she primarily based her horse Simply A Thriller (Meggie) at Mark and Tanya Kyle’s backyard, and he or she rode at the college’s equestrian group. She was once at the group that gained gold on the British Pupil Equestrian Championships in 2009, and in 2010 was once a part of Crew GB on the Global College Equestrian Championships in South Korea, the place they gained group silver in dressage.

    After college Georgie moved again to Kent and arrange trade at Little Scotney Farm, the place she was once quickly joined by way of her Patterdale terrier go Twig. Georgie received the experience on Grasp Monarch (Ben) in 2009, and in 2010 she made her five-star debut (then CCI4*) at Burghley. In 2014 Georgie was once 3rd at Boekelo with Cooley Trade Time (Rio), and the next 12 months the pair finished Burghley. She gained the Osberton younger horse identify with Monbeg Odyssey (Oddie) in 2016, and she finished Pau five-star in 2017 and Badminton in 2018 with Cooley Earl (Earl). Georgie’s largest victory got here in 2022 when she gained the Lignieres CCI4*-L in France with World Quest (George).

    Georgie met her husband, New Zealand eventer Jesse Campbell, throughout the game, and the couple have been primarily based in Wiltshire. They married on 12 December 2020 in an intimate rite attended by way of shut pals and later relocated to Little Scotney Farm, the place they arrange Crew Campbell Eventing.

    Credit score: Sam and Yaz Wedding ceremony Photographers

    Jesse described his marriage ceremony day as “the most efficient day ever” and mentioned he was once “so proud” to be Georgie’s husband.

    “Other people will discuss G’s smile, and it was once unbelievable – it could make you’re feeling such as you have been the centre of the universe. However what I like about this photograph is the way it captures her power. She was once a powerful, stunning, extraordinary girl who simply enjoyed the whole lot and everybody,” he mentioned.

    “Running within the equestrian global isn’t a very simple existence; there are a large number of knocks and darkish days. However G would navigate this by way of throwing such a lot pleasure and love at each and every state of affairs. She would get as a lot pleasure from having a Greggs tea at the manner house from the gallops as she would instructing a consumer within the pouring rain or leaping and galloping across the largest classes on the earth. It was once simply unbelievable to be at your aspect and really feel this power.”

    Georgie’s circle of relatives added: “The right way to describe our darling Georgie?”

    “Amusing, positive, sort, bubbly, blissful, mischievous, and loving, with essentially the most beneficiant chortle and lovely power.

    “The individual your sisters at all times maximum sought after to sit down subsequent to at circle of relatives foods as we knew we’d have the sort of excellent chuckle. The kid your folks will for ever be so happy with, no longer simplest in your achievements however the way in which you lived your existence and made everybody round you’re feeling.

    “Seeing how satisfied you and Jesse made each and every different and also you being essentially the most good aunt and godmother to Jack introduced us all such a lot pleasure.

    “We don’t know the way to do existence with out you, however we will be able to make it our existence’s paintings to make you proud and stay your reminiscence alive. We adore you for ever.”

    From left: Jesse and Georgie with their canine Fern, Jo Williams (Georgie’s sister) with Georgie’s canine Twig, Jack (Jo’s son and Georgie’s godson), Mike Williams (Jo’s husband) and canine Roo. Status: Debbie and Ian (Georgie’s folks) and Bertie (Georgie’s sister). Credit score: Mel Smith Pictures.

    Pals of Georgie have paid tribute to her, describing her as humble, devoted, a laugh, and lovely inside and outside.

    Abbie Fernandes met Georgie at Dulwich Prep College in Cranbrook, Kent, elderly 10 and the pair were “companions in crime ever since”. They have been bridesmaids for one some other, and Georgie is godmother to Abbie’s daughter Maisie. Georgie could also be godmother to her sister Jo’s son Jack.

    “She was once the consummate sportswoman, it was once in her blood. She may flip her hand to the whole lot – except for for the truth she couldn’t swim in order that’s the place I may catch her in tetrathlon,” Abbie advised H&H.

    “She was once our hockey group captain in school, then performed first group hockey at college and at county stage. She was once at the lacrosse first group and performed at county stage. She was once unbelievable at netball, and lengthy distance working. In school she would run with the men as a result of there was once no pageant for her.

    “She was once that woman at the group; after we went to different faculties they’d know who she was once. You didn’t wish to get in her manner when she was once headed to the purpose – and I used to be thankful to be on her group quite than towards her! She was once terrifyingly aggressive on a hockey or lacrosse pitch, however the softest, kindest and maximum non-confrontational particular person off it.”

    Abbie mentioned Georgie was once “so devoted, and horses have been her dream”.

    “She was once laser-focused on making it occur and believed in herself. Even from after we have been 11 or 12 we’d end working apply and Georgie’s mum Debbie could be ready within the automotive park with the lorry able to power to a display. She had such a lot dedication, it was once simply unbelievable. She was once an inspiration to me, and in some ways I idolised her,” she mentioned.

    “Part of her allure was once that she was once completely ignorant of the impact she had on folks. She was once so humble and he or she had so a lot more to present. She was once so interested by World Quest and Speedwell and felt that she truly had two horses that might truly make it along with her.

    “It sounds so cliché to mention that anyone was once stunning inside and outside, however with Georgie it was once essentially true. Individuals who got here throughout Georgie at grassroots occasions have mentioned she would discuss to them and assist them, she by no means had any airs or graces – she sought after to assist folks do their highest. She slightly mentioned an unkind phrase about someone, in reality more often than not she was once telling me off for being judgemental. Between us we made the entire particular person, until you attempted to present us a maths equation, as a result of neither people may depend!

    “She’s been a part of my existence ever since I will be able to take note, and I believe very privileged to were her highest buddy.”

    Hattie Cripps, former DC of the Romney Marsh department of the Pony Membership, advised H&H Georgie was once “essentially the most superb woman”.

    “I first noticed Georgie when she was once round six. I take note the precise second, we have been at a mini match at Eridge Park and he or she was once using a pony referred to as Weston Famous person. I take note taking a look at her and considering ‘Oh my god, that kid is fantastic!’. She was once manner above all of the different children at that age, and he or she simply went on appearing this skill. It was once atypical,” mentioned Hattie.

    “She had essentially the most superb smile, and I don’t assume I ever heard her say an uncongenial factor about anyone. We used to have Pony Membership at their farm and as a youngster she was once at all times there serving to the more youthful children, everyone enjoyed her.

    “She was once on all of the Pony Membership groups; showjumping, dressage, eventing, tetrathlon, Prince Phillip Cup. There was once not anything she couldn’t do, and he or she was once so devoted the entire manner via existence – she was once essentially the most superb all-rounder, and such a laugh. We did a large number of dressing up and taking part in video games at camp and he or she was once at all times in the leading edge of all of it and making us chortle.”

    Eventer Georgie Campbell pictured at Hartpury International Horse Trials in 2021

    Georgie Campbell and Darcy De L. a. Rose

    Pippa Funnell advised H&H it’s “so very difficult to get a hold of a tribute to anyone so particular as Georgie”.

    “I’ve learn such a lot of of the superb messages despatched to Jesse after the unbelievable publish he put out in regards to the tragic lack of his deeply loved spouse. I pray that Jesse, Georgie’s friends and family can draw power from all of the affection being proven,” she mentioned.

    “If there was once ever a definition of amassed love and enhance this example could be it. We jointly grieve in combination over Georgie, she was once no longer simply stunningly stunning with the sort of radiant smile however a fantastic instance of an exemplary member of the human race. She obviously had very prime morals. It was once so obtrusive that she was once dedicated to Jesse and her circle of relatives, she was once at all times gracious, grateful and naturally nice a laugh. Other people say ‘If you’re fortunate you’ll simplest depend your excellent pals on one hand’ however on account of the individual Georgie was once she would have wanted many arms.”

    Pippa added that Georgie was once an “out-and-out competitor, totally devoted to the horses she so adored.”

    “It was once superb to get the chance to paintings along with her over contemporary weeks. I enjoyed her angle at taking a look to reinforce herself to assist her horses. She was once an absolute excitement to show, open minded and extremely gifted,” she mentioned.

    “She was once impressed and interested by what the long run held for her and her beautiful group of horses. I felt between them they’d all of the attributes to be successful on the very best of the game she so enjoyed.

    “Dearest Georgie. All people within the eventing circle of relatives will omit you extraordinarily however we promise to seem after and enhance those who you so enjoyed. We can at all times take note you fondly with that superb superb infectious smile. Thanks. Xxx’”

    Tom McEwen advised H&H: “I believe so lucky in an effort to name Georgie my buddy.”

    “Jesse mentioned to me the opposite day, ‘I may write a e book about how unbelievable Georgie was once’ so to check out to boil it right down to a couple of paragraphs feels unimaginable.

    “And the way true that is, I may truthfully write pages and on the similar time no longer want to say anything else in any respect to provide an explanation for how nice Georgie is. The reminiscences I’ve of Georgie are full of kindness, happiness and an unwavering positivity that she threw at the whole lot and everybody. Georgie at all times made you’re feeling that she had at all times on the earth for you. As a result of she essentially did.

    “From Jesse and Georgie’s marriage ceremony right through Covid with just a small collection of us, to extra not too long ago looking in Eire this 12 months, any time spent in Georgie’s corporate was once particular and satisfied. The one time I used to be somewhat petrified of her was once right through a in particular aggressive recreation of rounders.”

    Tom mentioned that in eventing Georgie has “at all times been one of the vital devoted and self-motivated folks I do know”.

    “Her herbal skill and fervour have been enviable. Georgie enjoyed what she did. She enjoyed her friends and family much more and he or she enjoyed Jesse unconditionally. Jesse and Georgie’s courting truly confirmed everybody else the way it will have to be carried out, at all times being by way of one some other’s aspect with a happiness I will be able to at all times take note,” he mentioned.

    “We will have to all lead our lives by way of Georgie’s instance. How fortunate we’re to have had her in our lives.”

    Georgie and Cooley Earl at Badminton 2018. Credit score: Tim Wilkinson Pictures.

    Lisa White was once Georgie’s dressage trainer of six years, having met Georgie via Jesse.

    “The large factor about Georgie was once that she was once peerless, in her magnificence and along with her herbal solidarity on a horse,” Lisa advised H&H. “That you must glance around the warm-up and see Georgie a mile away, the horses have been at all times so satisfied and along with her. Each and every time I’d come again and spot Georgie she had taken what we’d labored on and evolved it to someplace so stunning and superb.

    “She was once so gifted however humble, and so brave and aggressive however sort – and that’s a truly uncommon steadiness to search out. She was once steely in her competitiveness and in a pressurised trade, Georgie at all times had her horses as a primary precedence, she by no means compromised.”

    Lisa added that Georgie “astounded me in her skill to paintings along with her horses and make the most efficient out of each and every one in all them”.

    “All of them enjoyed her, and he or she enjoyed they all. She celebrated her victories by way of making them in regards to the horse, and when issues didn’t pass proper she shouldered them totally on her personal,” mentioned Lisa.

    “I used to be very fortunate to have labored with the sort of stunning particular person and a gorgeous rider. She was once only a very particular human being.”


    Horse & Hound mag, out each and every Thursday, is full of all of the newest information and studies, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. To find how you’ll experience the mag delivered in your door each and every week, plus choices to improve your subscription to get right of entry to our on-line provider that brings you breaking information and studies in addition to different advantages.

  • Leave a Comment