Birthday festival tribute for teen showjumper

Ella Pallister died aged 17 during a showjumping competition in 2013

A festival celebrating a teenage showjumper's birthday is being held in her honour.

EllaFest has been organised by the friends and family of Ella Pallister, who died in 2013 at 17 years old, after suffering an injury in a showjumping competition in Dorset.

The festival was first held in 2016 to mark Ella's 21st birthday and her loved ones have raised more than £44,000 for charity in the years since her death.

Now, best friend and co-organiser Jess House says they're getting ready to "party for Ella" on what would have been her 30th birthday.

The event, held in Bramdon House in Portesham from 16:30 BST will be raising money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

EllaFest has been organised to celebrate what would have been Ella's 30th birthday

Ella died in an accident during a British Show Jumping Association contest at Kingston Maurward College and was flown by air ambulance to Southampton hospital.

Her best friend, Ms House, said they were all feeling "nervous but excited" ahead of the festival, which she said has been described as a "mini Glastonbury".

The line up includes bands like Fluke, Vanilla Radio, Electric Mayhem and the Legomen.

Planning for the event has been in the works since February, with the aim of raising as much for the air ambulance as possible.

Ella's family and friends say she loved a party so they will be partying in her honour at the festival

"They don't get any other funding apart from people doing events like this," Ms House explained.

"Unfortunately they couldn't help save Ella, but they did everything they possibly could to help her."

Remembering her friend, Ms House said Ella was "the most bright, bubbly girl, very blonde - we have so many stories about her.

"She had a heart of gold, loved her family, her friends. She thrived off show jumping and would make any excuse for a party so we are going to be partying for her."

'Very emotional'

Ms House said there will be a special surprise during the event and they're expecting hundreds of people to come celebrate.

She added: "It's very emotional and will be a very special part of the day for friends and family who knew Ella, we just want people to enjoy."