A talented British horse rider has died after a freak accident during an equestrian event.
Medical staff rushed to save Georgie Campbell after she fell at a fence, but sadly she could not be saved.
Georgie had been competing in Devon, UK yesterday (26 May) with her horse, Global Quest.
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She was initially a top-level showing rider before she turned to eventing and had represented Great Britain numerous times on Nations Cup teams and appeared at many five-star events, the highest recognised level of eventing.
During an Equine America interview last year, she cited winning the 4* Long at Lignieres on Global Quest in 2022 as a highlight of her career.
Georgie had competed in over 200 events throughout her career, including the five-star events Badminton and Burghley, and had won on six occasions.
The governing body of the Bicton international horse trials, British Eventing, said in a statement yesterday: “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, England, on Sunday 26 May 2024.
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“Medical professionals attended immediately following her fall at fence 5b, however, unfortunately, she could not be saved.
“The horse, Global Quest, was assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable and is uninjured. To respect the family’s privacy at this extremely difficult and sad time, no further details will be shared.”
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust responded to the scene as an air ambulance, double-crewed land ambulance, operations officer and hazardous area response team were sent.
A spokesperson said it was called to an incident near Budleigh Salterton at 3:05pm yesterday.
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The event, which was due to end on Sunday with a cross-country phase, was abandoned.
In December 2020, Georgie married her fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell - a member of the New Zealand team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And together, they created Team Campbell Eventing.
People have taken to Georgie's Instagram account to share messages of condolence, with one writing: "RIP Georgie, a remarkable rider with so much passion for the sport. She will be missed." And another said: "Rest easy Georgie - greatly missed by a massive community."
Devon and Cornwall Police told LADbible in a statement: "Police were called to reports about the death of a horse rider at Bicton Arena, East Budeigh, at around 3.50pm on Sunday 26 May. The woman was in her 30s and from Kent.
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"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
Jess Battison