A small country town in Victoria, Australia was rocked to their core last Friday morning when the word spread quickly that two of their own had been involved in a shocking crash - then the word spread even quicker through the Victorian Equestrian community that it was one of theirs!

The shock over the tragic loss of life of a 17 year old learner driver and her dad will take a long time to leave those who knew this pair and when the shock finally clears the reality of the loss will become even more painful.

The equestrian communities around the world are made up of grass roots people - people who love horses and all things to do with them - some of these people showjump, some event, some do dressage, some do the showring and all the other things which make up horse sport including those who just love to go for a weekend trail ride - and then there are those who get into the sport by being one of the most valuable assets of the sport - our wonderful volunteers without whom the sport would not exist in any country in the world.

Young Jaime Stroud was one of the young people who followed her mothers lead by being a rider who put in a great deal to the sport by always being available to help out at any event, be it big or small.

Today, one week after the accident, and the day after we farewelled Chris and Jaime Stroud I want to put some thoughts out there for horse people around the world and I hope that everyone will think about what has happened and make it make a difference - because if just one person changes their way of thinking then Chris and Jaime did not lose their lives without at least one positive coming from it.

For the Herald Sun report on this accident click here - the results from the coroners court will be forthcoming with the results of the investigations but the Police have been very firm in saying that 17 year old Jaime had no less chance than an experienced driver would have had behind the wheel. She did nothing wrong - what do you do when faced with a truck coming head on at you at speed?

Jaime Stroud was a young lady I counted as a friend and I have known her since she was about 3 years of age - and even though I didn't know her dad, Chris, well I knew him well enough to know that he was a man who was larger than life! He helped everyone and was there for everyone, he laughed loudly and loved life - and added to that he was one of life's "funsters" but when the sun set each day he was a father and a husband who loved his family.

Jaime was about animals, all animals but horses had a special place in her life and one of her proudest moments was at the 2009 Barastoc Horse of the Year show when Norm and Julie Clarke allowed her to ride their wonderful Welsh stallion Jack - she was so proud and happy to have this opportunity and she rode him beautifully as the picture left shows.

Jaime put in many hours at Edgars Mission as a much loved volunteer who managed to tame even the most frightened and sometimes difficult inmates - check out the work they do by clicking here - an amazing place run by an amazing woman who attracks help of the strength and warmth of young Jaime.

The farewell on Thursday, 28th January, 2010 was

a wonderful expression of the lives of the two people the world has lost but to stand and speak, flanked by two coffins is possibly the hardest thing I have done.

The strength of mother Andie and brother Dylan who are left behind to try and rebuild their lives after this loss is beyond belief and we wish them all the love possible to get to a point where they can heal and move forward.

And the message for the equestrian community around the world is the following - many of you drive lorries and/or horse trailers and all too often we are all in a hurry to get to an event or home from an event but taking risks actually doesn't get you anywhere any quicker in reality, but it does heighten the chances of accidents.

DON'T take risks because it actually doesn't get you there that much quicker, but the resultant accident could change lives forever in the worst possible way!

Goodbye Jaime and Chris Stroud - your lives will shine on forever in the hearts of those who knew you and loved you and our thoughts are with Andie and Dylan Stroud who are trying to come to terms with what has happened to a husband, a father, a daughter, a sister.

Friends of Chris and Jaime began a Facebook Tribute within hours of the accident - anyone who wishes to add to the tribute please click here