Two riders have died following separate accidents during British Eventing competitions held on Saturday in Oxfordshire and Cumbria, prompting the governing body to suspend both events and launch formal reviews.
British Eventing confirmed that 34-year-old Sophie Fouracre died after a cross-country accident while riding Rhubarbsfox Brittania at Swalcliffe Park in Oxfordshire.
Later the same day, Kerry Donoghue, 42, died after a separate cross-country incident while riding Carneyhaugh Rua at an event in Penrith, Cumbria.
Medical teams attended immediately at both venues and provided emergency treatment, but neither rider survived.
British Eventing expresses condolences
British Eventing Chief Executive Rosie Williams described the deaths as a devastating loss for the sport.
“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.
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“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.”
Events abandoned, investigations underway
British Eventing said both competitions were abandoned for the remainder of the weekend after initially reporting “serious incidents” at the venues earlier on Saturday.
The organisation also confirmed that both horses involved were examined by veterinary teams and found to be uninjured.
As is standard procedure following fatal incidents, formal reviews are being carried out to establish the circumstances surrounding both accidents.
Mental health support offered
Equestrian mental health charity Riders Minds offered immediate support to members of the eventing community following the deaths, describing the incidents as “desperately sad news.”
The charity encouraged anyone affected by the tragedies to seek emotional support.
Eventing’s risks
Eventing is one of equestrian sport’s most demanding disciplines, combining dressage, showjumping and cross-country riding. Both fatal accidents occurred during the cross-country phase, widely regarded as the most physically challenging and highest-risk section of the sport.
Although rider fatalities remain rare, British eventing has experienced several fatal accidents in recent years.
In May 2024, professional rider Georgie Campbell died after her horse fell and landed on her during the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon.
Three months later, Sarah Yorke, 37, suffered a fatal accident during the cross-country phase of the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials.
In 2019, 15-year-old British rider Iona Sclater died during a training session after her pony clipped a hay bale while jumping, somersaulted and landed on her.
British Eventing said it would continue to support the families of both riders and everyone affected by Saturday’s incidents while the reviews are completed.
