Strappers, trainers and family members formed a guard of honour at the Canberra Hospital on Friday as a police car transported the organs of track rider, and former Walcha local, Riharna Thomson who passed away that morning, her last act one to save the lives of others.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The racing industry has been rocked by the death of the popular young track rider who was the stables foreman for trainers Keith Dryden and Scott Collings when she suffered critical head injuries in a fall at Thoroughbred Park on Tuesday.
Dryden and Canberra trainer Nick Olive were among those at the hospital to support Riharna's parents, from Nelson Bay, and brother, who had flown from Perth, to be by her side.
Dryden said the family was "devastated, they're devastated".
"She was an unbelievable person." he said.
"She was studying politics at the ANU and we used to call her 'The Minister'. We only spoke about it during the week and I think she only had 12 months of it to go.
"She was a bubbly person but she didn't go out of your way to push on you. She laughed and smiled."
An emotional Olive said it was too difficult to process the loss of Riharna's life and her final generous act of organ donation.
"That sums her up. She's given her organs and she"ll save someone's life today," he said.
"By the industry, she was well-liked by everyone.
"It's just been such a tragic week, for a young life to be taken like that. It's tragic."
Canberra's premier race day, the Black Opal Stakes, will still be held on Sunday, no doubt with sombre undertones, with a ceremony in Riharna's honour to be held in the mounting yard at 1pm before the first race.
Jockeys have said they will wear black arm bands and ride in her memory.
Arrangements for the funeral, which is to be held in Tamworth, are yet to be announced.
Riharna grew up in Walcha and attended the New England Girls' School in Armidale, which has a strong horse program, including its own equestrian centre.
Toni Griffis, a cook at one of the pubs her father Ian used to own in Walcha, said Riharna had been "a beautiful girl".
"She's going to be very missed up here," Ms Griffis said.
"She was the most beautiful, beautiful soul."
NEGS' head of boarding, Stephanie Thomas, was then Riharna's year advisor from years nine to 12.
"It's an absolute tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and friends," Mrs Thomas said.
"She really embodied the NEGS' spirit of embracing life and trying everything."
Dryden said she was riding her favourite horse Chosen Prayer, when what has been described as a freak accident happened.
"She alternates between our Goulburn stable and Canberra and she was to go to Goulburn on the morning but she stayed there to ride that horse," he said.
Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph said Riharna would be sorely missed and it wasn’t going to be the same at track work for quite a while.
