Lawson Mayfield... An incredible loss for all that knew her

[hawkeye]

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090924/BREAKINGNEWS/90924009/Lawson+Mayfield++18-year-old+Maclay+graduate++dies+after+contracting+mening itis

[Madison]

Tallahassee is my hometown and they are such a nice family - that is just so shocking and sad.

[BAC]

Oh how tragic, such a young girl with so much to live for. My condolences to her family.

[starrysky]

So sad - such a young girl with a lot of living (and riding) ahead of her - meningitis scares the crap out of me.

[Nikki^]

I took pictures of her while working for Flashpoint in GulfPort. She was such a lovely rider.

[Trevelyan96]

My deepest condolonces to the Mayfield family.

[Addison]

Such a tragic loss. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lawson Mayfield.

Godspeed little girl.

[mroades]

Oh jeez...yet another example of why you should live every day as if its your last...because it might be!

Hugs to everyone that knew her. I had seen her show several times...she was sooo young!

[showmom68]

How terribly sad. Condolences to all of her family and friends. :cry:

[florida foxhunter]

The Tallahassee Horse Community is devistated. Such a lovely young girl,,,,, life's not fair! She's ridden in our local shows, graduated on to the "top A Shows", but still was her same, sweet, helpful, down -to -earth self. She rode often with Live Oak Hounds, our local foxhunt.......and was a lovely, brave rider and a great horseman. She always came back to our local shows to ride, or help others by riding young horses for them, whenever she had a chance.

She was very fortunate to have a loving, supportive family.........who adored her! Her trainer, Andrea Duffey, was probably as much of a big sister , or best friend, to her..as she was her trainer.........absolutely considered family !!

I can't comprehend how hard this must be for all of them! They were to leave for indoors( I believe) the day she died!!!
Everyone here is still in a state of disbelief!!!
Our prayers go out for Lawson, and her family and friends!!!

[dani0303]

Too much death lately :no:

RIP Lawson. Hope you're riding horses in heaven now

[Hattie]

Oh no.....I enjoyed watching her ride when she first started the A shows on Blue Martini. There is too much tragedy lately in the horse showing community. My thoughts are with her family and friends. This is just so devastating.

[Meredith Clark]

that is so sad :cry:

I had viral meningitis when I was in college and although I was unconscious most of the time I know it was devastatingly scary for my family and friends.

The worst part is (and I've heard this is common) is that my doctor had no idea until I was very sick. I went to my University health center and they sent me home saying I had a migraine.

[Melzy]

OMG, she just returned from Germany on Sunday and died days later! Her family must be in absolute shock. Sincere condolences to her family and friends. Such heartbreaking news is coming from FL this week. :-(

[SOTB]

Wow, that is so sad..... my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

[florida foxhunter]

Her family took her to the doctor late Monday with a headache too.......and that was too late. By Tuesday night they didn't expect her to make it through the night....Yes, she'd been visiting her sister in Germany which must be where she picked it up!

[Equestryn]

I used to work for the Mayfields. Lawson used to bring me Starbucks coffee almost every morning last summer.

She was such a great girl. Excellent rider, great person, always looking out for others.

I was in absolute shock when I heard she'd gone into the hospital. I can't believe this has happened. I had hoped that she'd go on to have her own huge farm, with her fabulous horses and compete internationally.

When she was getting ready to apply for college, she would ask my advice on what major and stuff. I would say "Well, what do you want to do after college?" She'd always say "I dunno, I just want to ride." Horses and competition were her passion in life and she always did her best in everything.

I can still remember her turning up the radio when I was washing Budweis'czar and she'd dance with him. We used to ride around the family property in the golf cart or go mudbogging in the Gator after work.

The horse community has experienced a real loss. I wish the best for her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

[dodedo]

OMG such a horrible tragic death! Daughter will be so sad to hear this when she comes home from school! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family!
Reminded me to remind my friends to make sure their kids be vaccinated.

[Berry0317]

I feel honored and privledged to be able to have called her a friend. She did so much for me including letting me ride her wonderful horses. There is not too much more that I can say other than I am competely heart broken. Her family will never leave my thoughts and Lawson will live in our hearts forever. Love you girl!

[Key Influential]

Lawson was a generous spirit and a wonderful role model to my daughter. We are blessed for having known her. She is missed.

[florida foxhunter]

I just got home from the funeral....standing room only! Equestryn, they made jokes about her love about the Starbucks coffee in the eulogies!!

The saddest part is she delayed her start into college this fall until January so she could complete her junior years this fall at Indoors. I"m told she'd have to had the Meningitis vaccination to get into college in FL....which she had delayed because of her love of horses!

Her family are devistated, as are so many of her friends! It was a touching, lovely funeral......they made a point of telling how mature she was and that she wanted to be an organ donor.....so others are now living because of her!

[farmgirl88]

how horribly sad but also very scary at the same time. Bless her and her family. they will be in my thoughts this evening.

[RoyalTRider]

How tragic.... to think that this beautiful young lady rode Monday morning, and had passed away two days later. :no: I pray that she did not suffer and that her loved ones begin to find healing.

[Equestryn]

I'm just glad she got one last ride on her horses before she passed. Poor dear.

Key Influential, I know your daughter was loved by Lawson. She and I used to talk about how cute your girl was on Freckles. :)

[alteringwego]

such a tragedy. Keeping the family in my thoughts.