Rachael Blackmore becomes ambassador for charity set up in memory of Tiggy Hancock

Top jockey Rachael Blackmore has become the ambassador for a charity created in the memory of a young girl and exceptionally talented young equestrian who died in an accident a year ago.

Tiggy (Allegra) Hancock (15), a champion equestrian rider, died on June 16th last year at Greenogue Equestrian Centre, Rathcoole, Co Dublin while at team training for a European eventing championship.

The teenager from Co Carlow was one of three daughters to Frank and Jane Hancock, both originally from England but who have lived in Ireland for several years.

The youngest daughter of the close-knit family, Tiggy was a talented rider. When aged 13, she was a member of the Irish bronze medal winning team at the European Eventing Championships for Ponies.

Three weeks following Tiggy's death, her sisters created the charity TiggysTrust.com. Cheltenham racecourse was turned yellow, Tiggy’s favourite colour, for the trust fund’s official launch last December. Yellow ribbons have become a symbol of the charity after people wore them in memory of Tiggy following her death.

The English Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Blackmore said: “Tiggy was an amazing, incredible, inspirational person who saw the best in people regardless of their background. Tiggy’s Trust is going to help young people fulfil their potential and hopefully we’ll see more of them riding big winners in Cheltenham.”

On the first anniversary of her death, Tiggy's family said: “We can’t believe a whole year has passed since we lost our dearest ray of sunshine. Thank you to everyone – we have received the most beautiful messages and memories of Tiggy.

“A special thank you to everyone who has helped us through these months – to all those with yellow ribbons we see in so