Police issue statement following death of talented British horse rider Georgie Campbell after freak accident
Police have issued a fresh statement regarding the death of Georgie Campbell following a freak horse riding accident.
The British horse rider fell at a fence during the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon on Sunday 26 May with her horse, Global Quest.
Medical professionals rushed to the scene following the freak accident but Campbell, 37, sadly passed away despite their efforts.
She was competing in the CC14*-S event when the incident occurred on the cross-country course.
Advert
The rider and her horse fell at a log into the water at fence 5b, and the former couldn't be saved following the fall.
Campbell was once a top-level showing rider, prior to eventing, having represented Great Britain several times on Nations Cup teams, even appearing at several five-star events, the highest level of eventing.
Devon and Cornwall Police have recently released a statement on the unfortunate events, which read: "Police were called to reports about the death of a horse rider at Bicton Arena, East Budleigh, at around 3.50pm on Sunday 26 May.
"The woman was in her 30s and from Kent. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
Georgie competed in almost 200 events across her career, and won six of these, including five-star events Badminton and Burghley.
Bicton International Horse Trials also released a statement following Campbell's death, saying: "'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.
"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."
Following the tragic incident, the CC14*-S event was abandoned.
Originally from Kent, Campbell was shortlisted for the British Junior Team prior to making her five-star debut in 2009, making numerous Nations Cup appearances for Team GB.
Just two years old when she was taught to horse ride by her mother Debbie, also a former GB endurance rider.
Earlier this month, Campell and her horse Global Quest, 11, came third in the CCI3*-S at Osberton International Horse Trials.
The pair have competed together for years, as the horse moved to four-star level in 2022, helping Campbell win the CCI4*-L at Lignieres in France during the same year.
Campbell also competed at five-star on other horses, completing the Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials.
Away from horses, though, the Brit married fellow event rider Jesse Campbell in 2020, who competed at the Tokyo Olympics for New Zealand.
Joshua Nair