Yahoo Finance Sunshine Coast teen killed in freak horse riding accident
A horse riding community is in mourning for a "beautiful, vibrant and kind" teenager who was tragically killed in a freak equestrian accident.
Serena Stanley, 17, had travelled from her hometown on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to Melbourne to take on a new job at a horse stud.
On Sunday afternoon the "brave and skilful rider" was killed in a fall at the stud, leaving friends and family devastated.
The teenager was a former national school showjumping champion and her home town of Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is grieving the loss of a popular young member of the community.
"Serena grew up in Maleny and was just a beautiful soul who adored horses and was loved by everyone," a post on a GoFundMe page read.
"She had recently taken a job on a horse stud in Melbourne and was so very happy and loving life, she had just begun a wonderful life as a young adult."
Serena's heartbroken parents, River and Sandy, are now working to bring the teenager's body back to Queensland for a funeral.
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Friends and fellow equestrians have posted tributes on social media remembering the "talented rider".
"You are a beautiful girl and it was an absolute pleasure seeing you out competing every weekend with your beautiful horses, always with a smile on your face," Emma Hutton wrote on Facebook.
The Maleny and District Horse and Pony Club also shared a tribute to the teenager and will hold a memorial service on Sunday.
"Serena won numerous awards for her riding and represented our club and zone and competed and won at State level in showjumping," they said.
"Serena was also the Interschool National Champion in Showjumping in 2015.
"We as a club are devastated by her loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. We will of course support them in any way we can."
The Nambour Pony Club in South East Queensland is helping raise funds for the family through a mega raffle of equestrian items on the weekend.
Attendees have been encouraged to wear Serena's favourite colour blue.
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