NOVEMBER 2013 THE RIDER /43 Ontario Loses Young Equestrian Lacey Jamieson
16 year-old equine enthusiast from St. Thomas, Ontario who passed away suddenly on October 13th from a rare blood disease called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Lacey could attest to her lust for life and horses. Lacey was a straight A’s student who actively participated in team sports at highschool, however where Lacey’s heart truly lay was at the stables. Lacey kept her horses at HSE Stables near Sparta and complet- ed on the local and regional hunter jumper circuit in southwestern Ontario. To describe Lacey as a horse crazy girl would only be scratching the surface of Lacey’s love, passion, and amazing bond with her horses. Like many horse crazy girls Lacey could often be found at the stable, however Lacey took rid- ing to a whole different level. She shared her equine passion on various forms of social media, most notably Instagram (@laceyjamieson), where she became an Internet sensation, acquiring over 70,000 followers from all around the world. Lacey posted daily photo and video updates of her riding and playing with her horses as well as also speaking out against bully- ing. The extent of Lacey’s online fan- base was not widely apparent until news came of her passing, when thou- sands of people worldwide began to offer their condolences to Lacey’s fam- ily and friends. While the loss of Lacy is tragic, the sheer number of people she has touched during her short life is nothing short of incredible. Lacey had a bond with horses that most of us could only dream of. A quote posted on her memoriam Facebook page seems very fitting: “Horses lent her the wings she lacked, but today she gained her own”. Rest in Peace Lacey.
Below are words from Lacey’s closest friends in memoriam.
since literally the first day we were born on January 24, 1997. We were born on the same day, in the same city, in the same hospital. We also became neighbours 5 years ago. Our parents had known each other prior to our birth and as we grew up we did everything together. We started gymnastics at the age of 2, we did soccer, bowling, swimming and so many more things together. When we were younger we were totally inseparable. My family is her family and her family is mine. She is and will always be my best friend and sister for life. Lacey was my go to girl for everything, every problem I had. She never complained about me going on and on about them. For all of our 16 years of life, she has been there for me and I have been there for her. She was caring, smart, beautiful, funny and one heck of a rider. I was always so proud of her and everything she could do. She was the best! Her spirit lives on and not one day will go by when I don’t think of my beloved best friend. I love you Lacey! I will never stop loving you and I know you will continue to be with me for the rest of my life on my worst days and my best days until I see you again. - Nicole Avery
Lacey and I have been best friends --------------------
By Heather Mitchell Lacey May Jamieson was vibrant
friends it was because no one would go shopping in Toronto with her. That was the first time we ever hung out and from that day on we were inseparable. I spent the majority of my summer with her at the barn doing everything from handstands on horses to shoulder back rides on horses. I don’t regret one second of my summer with her. She meant the world to me and I’m hon- oured that I was one of her best friends. The past few days I have truly realized how much of an impact Lacey had on the world and our school, everyone loved her. Lacey was the best friend anyone could ever ask for! She always knew what was in your best interest and didn’t care if it was what you wanted to hear she told you what you needed to hear. Lacey helped me become who I am today and she helped me realize that no matter what people are always going to judge you and you just can’t listen to them.
When Lacey and I first became
ion and she would always give you a good reason I don’t know if Lacey ever lost a argument and if she did it wasn’t over. She always knew what she believed in and nobody could sway what she thought. Lacey truly was an amazing girl and no one can argue that. I’ll love her forever and I can’t wait to see her again!
- Holly Siebenmorgan
helped me win ribbons. I am so proud that just a few
Lacey gave me tips at shows that
weeks ago, we were the champs at Schone Felds pony games. That is why me, Mikayla and Alana are wearing our team shirts. That same day as Schone Felds
life itself, all she wanted to do was spend time with her lovely horses, I don’t think I ever went a day without hearing one of her stories about For- rest, bonkers or gem, those stories always made me so happy because I knew she was doing what she loved. Whenever I went to the barn with her leave it to Lace to get me to do some- thing crazy or put me to work, one day I remember going to the barn and Lacey asking me if I wanted to roll polos so I said of course! (I had no idea what polos were) so she came down with ARMFULS of polos for me to roll and it probably took me about an hour and everyone at Lacey’s barn was making fun of me for letting lace push me around but I loved helping her. Everyone at Lacey’s barn always said how much they like it when I came because I was so clueless but I wanted to learn everything about her horses. I loved those texts from lace saying “in going to the barn meet me there in 30 minutes” so I’d get on my bike or find a ride and get my butt over there. Lacey and I had so many memories together I don’t even know where to begin, every time we hung out it was a new adventure and you could count on her to come up with something crazy to do.
bikes to the variety store to get brown- ies (me on the handle bars her biking), falling off horses, biking to hawks cliff and just laughing our asses off in her basement. Anytime spent with Lacey was time spent well and I’m sure all of her friends would say that. One of Lacey’s favourite things to do was get in a good debate, she was never afraid to stand up for hers or her friends opin-
We had mud fights, late night Lacey had so much passion for
loves horses” is what Lacey always said, but she was so much more to so many people. To some she was a famous inspiration that never let any- one down, she wrote back to every let- ter and even made time to call or Face- Time some of her online fans. To her friends and barn family Lacey was the most caring, outgoing and supportive person. She never had anything nega- tive to say and always had a smile on her face. Lacy constantly pushed the other riders and I to do more than we thought we could with our horses, if you were afraid to do something or had a fear of failing, she gave you the courage and support you needed to get through it. She would never let you give up on yourself. Lacey’s bond with her horses was incredible, she did things with them that you think you wouldn’t be able to trust a horse to do. Lacey spend any moment she could at the barn with her horses, and in return they trusted her to do anything. She never made them do anything by force; they did it because they wanted to. Lacey was her horse’s best friend; she would have done anything for them. Lacey would always do anything she could to help anyone, all she ever wanted was for everyone to come together and care for one another. She wanted there to be no judgment or fighting. Lacey taught everyone to set aside the negative, focus on the posi- tive and love life, she lived every moment to the fullest and will never be forgotten.
- Tabitha Peltier Gemini.
Catharines with Lacey and Lacey’s mom to watch Lacey have a trick-rid- ing lesson. And then she taught me tricks on
though he was her favorite pony. So I let her ride him whenever she wanted. In fact, her last ride was on Gemini. It was really fun to go to St.
er we would laugh a lot. She let me buy Gemini even
years ago. I remember when we were togeth-
meant to be Lacey’s friend. Lacey and I met at HSE Stables 4
Hi, my name is Alexis. I am going to talk about what it
--------------------- “I’m just a girl with an iPhone that
the relationship she had with horses. I know she will always be at my side. Ride in Peace Lacey. - Eulogy by Alexis Coombs
year-old. Yes, she had boy problems and she had her fair share of bad hair days, but Lacey was different, she was gifted. Lacey was my inspiration and role model with an unnatural and unbreakable bond with any horse she has ridden. She was a bubbly, energetic young woman who loved horses. She rode my horse Lexus once in a show and with no doubt in my mind she won a first place ribbon. But in true Lacey style, she didn’t keep the ribbon like some people might have; instead, she walked right back to the barn and pinned it on my stall. She had a heart of pure gold. One of my most memo- rable moments of lacey is when my horse colicked. She took the lead when I couldn’t and with words of encour- agement to my family and I she assured all of us that it would be ok, and she was right. That was one of the scariest moments of my life and she was there to help me through it. She loved to do crazy little tricks on her horses such as standing, cartwheeling, and jumping off of them and her horses took it with stride and never disap- pointed her. Yes she knew the risks but they never held her back. Her parents understood the passion she had for these beautiful creatures and would never stop her from doing these insane tricks. Lacey was fearless and there was nothing she couldn’t do. She was a strong competitor and many envied her but nothing stopped her from doing
Lacey wasn’t your typical 16 ----------------------
Lacey. But she is in good hands. I am sure one way or another Lacey is with horses up there. Lacey was one of a kind because
made me a better rider. We all know that we will miss
earrings, stuff for Gemini, and even the belt I am wearing today. Lacey was a good rider and she
other’s birthday parties last year. She gave me lots of things like
wearing jumper clothes to support Lacey because that was her favorite category. It was fun when we went to each
pony games, Lacey entered her first show with Forrest. He was giving her a hard time in the first round. But the last round he was jumping over everything. It was amazing to watch! Everyone from HSE Stables is
what she loved. Lacey knew that I aspired to be as good of a rider as she was one day, and knowing my dream, she pushed me. She pushed me the way she pushed her self, and she didn’t except anything less. She was patient and wanted me to do the best I could. I have lost a big piece of my life that will never, ever be replaced by anyone. I just hope she realized behind all my sass towards her, that I truly respected her and that I appreciated everything she has taught me and has ever done for me. Lacey was one of my best friends; she was always there for me. It was an honour to be taught and to be mentored by you Lace. Lacey had three dreams, she wanted to ride in the Olympics, she wanted everyone to get along and she wanted for people to learn the difference between your and you’re. Lacey thought that jumping 4’9 no hands was fun, but now she’s jump- ing clouds, Ride on Lacey, you will be missed.
- Mikayla Bamford
Two photos above by C. Robin Buckler
Photo above by Jaye Tatone Photo below: HSE organized a memo- rial ride for Lacey the day following her passing where all her close friends and family participated.
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