British equestrian event rider Georgie Campbell has died after a fall during a cross-country race at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon, England.
The 36-year-old and her horse fell at fence 5b, according to governing body British Eventing.
British Eventing said in a statement on Sunday, “It is with deepest regret that we announce that Georgie Campbell (GBR) suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon.”
“Medical professionals attended immediately following her fall at fence 5b however, unfortunately, she could not be saved,” it added.
A spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police told The Epoch Times on Monday they were called to reports of the death of a female horse rider in her 30s at Bicton Arena, around 3:50 p.m. on Sunday.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner,” the spokesperson said.
The horse, Global Quest, was assessed by a team of vets and walked back to the stable uninjured. Ms. Campbell was familiar with the 11-year-old gelding and had competed on him throughout his eventing career.
Bicton International Horse Trials is a four-day event that took place between Thursday and Sunday in southwest England. The top-flight international event featured a range of trials such as show jumping, dressage, and cross-country.
The event was abandoned after the incident.
Ms. Campbell was taught to ride at a young age by her mother, Debbie, who is a former GB endurance rider.
Ms. Campbell began as a top-level showing rider before turning to eventing. She was shortlisted for the British Junior Team and then made her five-star debut in 2009. On the back of her early success, Ms. Campbell made multiple appearances for Team GB on Nations Cup teams, winning the prize for the highest-placed rider under 25 in the British Open.
More recently, Ms. Campbell and Global Quest won at the CCI4*-L in France and placed a number of other times at national and international events.
Ms. Campbell married New Zealand event rider and Tokyo Olympian Jesse Campbell in 2020. The Kent-based couple then created their own five-star international team of event riders called Team Campbell Eventing.
