Two cross-country horse riders die within hours of each other at separate British competitions
Both incidents took place during the cross-country phase of the Eventing competition
Two cross-country horse riders have died after incidents in separate competitions on Saturday, British Eventing has confirmed.
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Sophie Fouracre, 34, was fatally injured in a cross-country accident riding Rhubarbsfox Brittania at Swalcliffe Park in Oxfordshire.
Kerry Donoghue, 42, died hours later following a cross-country accident riding Carneyhaugh Rua at Penrith, Cumbria.
Both horses were examined by vets and found to be uninjured.
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The governing body said medical teams “responded immediately and provided emergency treatment," but despite their best efforts, neither rider could be saved.
In accordance with British Eventing procedures, comprehensive reviews of the accidents will be undertaken.
Rosie Williams, Chief Executive of British Eventing, said: “The British Eventing community is heartbroken".
"On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Kerry and Sophie’s families, friends and loved ones at this devastating time."
“Our thoughts are also with their fellow competitors, organisers, officials, volunteers and everyone who has been affected by these tragic events".
“We are immensely grateful to the organisers, doctors, paramedics, veterinary teams, officials and emergency services at both events for the professionalism, compassion and care they showed in the most difficult of circumstances".
“The loss of two members of our eventing family on the same day is almost beyond words, and we know the sadness of these events will be felt profoundly across the sport for some time to come.”
Horse riding mental health charity, Riders Minds, said: “Our hearts go out to our community after the desperately sad news this weekend.
"Immediate support is available for everyone affected”.
Eventing consists of three phases, dressage, showjumping and cross-country. Both incidents took place during the cross-country phase of the competition.
Deaths are rare in the sport, but several tragic accidents have occurred in recent years.
In May 2024, Georgie Campbell, 36, died after her horse fell and landed on her at Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon.
Last August, 37-year-old British rider Sarah Yorke suffered a fatal accident during the cross-country phase of Aston-le-Walls horse trials. The primary school teacher’s horse failed to jump the third fence and landed on top of her, an inquest heard.
In 2019, 15-year-old British event rider Iona Sclater died during a training session at home, when her pony clipped a hay bale while jumping, somersaulted and landed on her.