Latest from Horse & Hound in Hunting-fatality

Tributes to ‘outstanding horsewoman’ who died after hunting fall

Horse & Hound — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 15:36:21 +0000

A vice-chairman of the British Show Horse Association has died following a fall with the Mid-Surrey Farmers Draghounds on Saturday (4 March).

Sue Webb, 64, and her horse Ron (pictured together on a different occasion) fell at the first fence of the day on Saturday.

Mrs Webb, of Vines Cross, East Sussex, was secretary of the hunt; her husband Peter is its senior master. He was not hunting on Saturday, as he was checking the course for the hunt’s point-to-point.

Mrs Webb — who was wearing a safety hat — suffered severe head and spinal injuries and died at 6pm on Sunday (5 March), when her life support machine was turned off.

“By our standards, it was a small hedge,” Mr Webb told H&H, describing it as a holly hedge of about 3’6”, in Dallington, East Sussex.

The mid-Surrey country is “demanding”, he added, but stressed that Ron, who was unharmed, was a “good horse”, who “jumped like a stag”.

Mr Webb believes the horse may have been distracted by ponies in a neighbouring field.

H&H showing reporter Tricia Johnson, a close friend of Mrs Webb, said there was no one better at crossing country.

‘You could not meet a more accomplished, all-round horsewoman,” she said. “She was never afraid to take on the biggest hedge — but with the utmost regard for her horse.

“Sue was not only an esteemed colleague and a respected judge, but great, great fun.”

Mrs Webb was a prolific showing judge, a keen gardener and a competitive and successful sailor during the summer on her brother Nigel’s yacht, describing herself as a “winch wench”, Mr Webb said.

“She was always the life and soul of a good party, intelligent and determined and did so much for other people,” he added.

Mrs Webb had been organising a side-saddle “dash” for the Southdown and Eridge point-to-point at Godstone, Surrey, on 9 April.

“It was typical of her, wanting to do things for other people,” added Mr Webb. “Not to have her name up in lights, but making a difference for other people.”

Sue Webb also leaves her parents Roy and Sheila and a son, Christopher Kenny.

By Flora Watkins

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Hunting world in shock after death of joint-master

Amy Mathieson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:49:03 +0000

The joint-master of the Cottesmore, Gems McCormick, has died due to an accident out hunting.

Ms McCormick was out with the Fitzwilliam (Milton) hunt yesterday (Wednesday, 4 November) when the accident happened.

She reportedly fell after a fence and suffered a head injury.

It was the Fitzwilliam’s opening meet, and the hunt has “expressed sincere condolences” to her family.

A spokesman for the Cottesmore said: “Gems was a wonderful joint-master and a generous supporter of the Cottesmore hunt. We were lucky to have her as a master from 2012. Always immaculately turned out quietly and efficiently fulfilling her role. She was a pleasure to go hunting with.”

The Cottesmore has cancelled its meet today (Thursday, 5 November) as a mark of respect.

“We are extremely sad to hear to the death of Gems. She was a huge supporter of hunting in Leicestershire and beyond,” said a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance.

“Hunting was a very big part of her life and she will be long missed by the Cottesmore country.”

Headwear safety highlighted at inquest

Sophia Heath — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 10:00:09 +0000

The coroner at the inquest into the death of former Cattistock field master Fiona Vigar has highlighted the failings of her “beagler” style hat.

Mrs Vigar, 43, suffered serious head injuries when her horse slipped on the road in Loders, Dorset, on 24 January (news, 7 February).

She was airlifted to hospital and underwent brain surgery, but died from her injuries 17 days later. She had recovered from head injuries sustained in a previous fall in 2011.

The inquest last week heard that the headgear she was wearing was made of linen coated with a shellac-based paste to form a hard plastic and did not carry a kite mark.

The warning label inside read: “This cap is not intended to protect against personal injury and does not comply with the relevant standards.”

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the West Dorset coroner Mr Sheriff Payne said: “She was wearing a hat, but not a crash hat or a protective form of hat and she would have been aware of that because of the prominent label inside it.”

Tim Bonner from the Countryside Alliance said: “Hunting is a dangerous sport and unfortunately people are killed every season.

“It’s a personal choice but, as this inquest highlights, everyone ought to be aware that some headwear is considerably safer than others.”

Speaking after the verdict, Mrs Vigar’s husband Chris said: “It shows the importance of wearing adequate safety equipment when undertaking these sports.

“She died doing something she loved.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (29 August, 2013)

Amateur whipper-in died after suffering a stroke

Charlotte White — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:19:41 +0000

An amateur whipper-in suffered a huge stroke after being dragged by his horse into a tree, a coroner has recorded.

Gary Bradley, 55, who whipped-in to the Minehead Harriers, was trail hunting in Wheddon Cross, Somerset, on 15 January 2011 when his horse was spooked and careered down a steep hill (news, 3 February 2011).

Mr Bradley came off but was dragged along by a stirrup until he hit a tree.

He suffered a severe pelvic fracture, broken ribs, facial fractures and a dislocated kneecap and was airlifted to Musgrove Park Hospital.

He later suffered a stroke and was transferred to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where he died on 27 January 2011.

His family questioned some aspects of his care at Musgrove Park, but West Somerset coroner Michael Rose said he was satisfied.

Mr Rose recorded a narrative verdict on 28 August at the coroner’s court in Taunton.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (6 September, 2012)

Hunt follower’s death is ruled as accidental

Horse & Hound — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:11:13 +0000

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on 22 August at an inquiry into the death of a 27-year-old woman.

Her horse fell and landed on top of her while hunting with the Essex Farmers and Union.

Tracey Richer of Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, was fatally injured on 29 November 2008.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray, was told Miss Richer was taken to the Royal London Hospital, where she died the next day.

A post-mortem found that she died from multiple injuries.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (1 September, 2011)

Accidental death of woman hunting with Essex pack

Horse & Hound — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:22:03 +0000

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Monday (22 August) into the death of a 27-year-old woman whose horse fell and landed on top of her while hunting with the Essex Farmers and Union.

Tracey Richer’s mare Summer caught a foreleg as it took a jump on a farm in West Hanningfield.

Miss Richer, of Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, fell off and the 16hh horse landed on top of her, Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray was told.

There were no witnesses to the fall on 29 November 2008 but paramedics were called by members of the field. The police were not involved.

Miss Richer was taken to the Royal London Hospital where she died the next day.

A post-mortem found that she died from multiple injuries.

The coroner, sitting in Chelmsford, returned a verdict that she had died as a result of an accident.

Hunting death was accidental, coroner rules

Charlotte White — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:56:37 +0000

The death of a solicitor who was crushed by his horse out hunting was an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Tony Osborne, 66, was at a joint meet of the Cotley and Axe Vale on 2 March when his horse George slipped on a muddy track and fell on him.

A toxicology report showed Mr Osborne had alcohol in his blood but deputy Exeter coroner Darren Salter said there was no evidence this had any relevance to his death, at the inquest at Devon County Hall on Thursday (11 August).

Mr Osborne died from internal bleeding caused by crushing injuries, which left him with several broken ribs and a ruptured spleen, the postmortem showed.

Mr Osborne lived in Membury, East Devon with his partner Sarah Wynne Evans. He was a father of three.

Cotley hunt follower’s funeral is held

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:36:15 +0000

The funeral of a man injured out hunting with the Cotley Harriers was held this week.

Anthony Osborne, from Hawkchurch, near Marshwood, Devon, was out with the Cotley at a joint meet with the Axe Vale on 2 March when his horse slipped and fell on him.

The 66-year-old retired solicitor and father of three was taken to hospital with serious internal injuries, but later died.

Cotley secretary Edmund Bailhache told H&H: “Anthony was a loyal and regular supporter over many years and will be sadly missed.”

Mr Osborne’s funeral took place on 22 March in Hawkchurch.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (24 March, 2011)

Hunt supporter dies after fall at New Year’s Day meet

Horse & Hound — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:08:28 +0000

A hunt supporter has died after falling from his horse at a meet of the Lauderdale hunt on New Year’s Day.

Retired businessman Paul Watson, 61, had gone along mounted to the meet of the pack at Lauder in the Scottish Borders but had not intended hunting with them.

However as the field moved off Mr Watson’s horse bolted and he fell, hitting his head on the road. He was not wearing a riding hat.

He was treated at the scene by a nurse who was also at the meet and taken by ambulance to Borders General Hospital near Melrose, where he died later that day.

In a statement, the Lauderdale expressed its “sincere condolences” to Mr Watson’s family after the “tragic accident”.

Grafton groom Hannah Wain dies after riding accident

Charlotte White — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:17:50 +0000

A groom working for the Grafton hunt died yesterday after a riding accident on Sunday.

Hannah Wain, who had worked at the Grafton for less than a week, died after falling from one of the hunt horses as they were returning to the yard in Eydon, Northamptonshire after exercise.

Miss Wain, 29, had previously been head girl for Banbury-based showing producer David Tatlow for 10 years, leaving his employment after Horse of the Year Show (5-9 October).

Hunt secretary Phillipa White told H&H: “We are devastated. The accident happened on Sunday at lunchtime.

“They were exercising the hunt horses, and were just a half mile from the kennels when the horse she was riding stumbled and went down.”

Miss Wain landed on the road hitting her head. She was airlifted to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry where she died early yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

She had been wearing a hat.

Mr Tatlow said: “It was a total freak accident. It’s hard to believe. Hannah had ridden three and four-year-old and broken in horses for years. That she should die on a Sunday afternoon hack is beyond belief.

“She was like a sister to my daughter [showing producer Loraine Homer] and popped over to see us on Wednesday, her first day off.”

A funeral is yet to be arranged.

Cheshire hunt supporter dies in fall last weekend

Horse & Hound — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:03:26 +0000

A dedicated and long-time hunt supporter died in an accident while following the Cheshire hunt at Norbury last weekend.

Richard Gilchrist, 57, died after a fall while tackling a hedge on Saturday, 24 January. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pauline Barlow, chairman of the Cheshire, told H&H: “In his many seasons hunting he acted as a hunt committee member, treasurer of the point-to-point, chairman of the Horse Club, founder trustee of the Jorrocks Club and member of the Tarporley Hunt Club.

“Ricky’s life evolved around hunting — his whole family hunted as a group. He will be missed by everyone.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (29 January, ’09)

Man dies after breaking neck in fall with Beaufort hunt

Charlotte White — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:59:42 +0000

A 73-year-old man died after a fall out hunting with the Duke of Beaufort’s on Saturday (27 December).

Farmer David Hall, of Badminton, who had hunted with the Beaufort for 65 years, was thrown when his horse stopped at a fence. He was catapulted into the fence, breaking his neck

The Great Western Air Ambulance was called but Mr Hall could not be revived.

Joint-master Captain Ian Farquhar said: “We have lost a very popular and respected local farmer and a stalwart of the hunting community. He will be deeply missed.

“As a mark of respect to him, his family and the local hunting community we stopped the hunt and returned the hounds to kennels after the accident.”

The hunt had met at Westonbirt, near Tetbury.

Man dies after fall while out with the North Staffordshire hunt

Horse & Hound — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:02:50 +0000

Mike Slater, 49, has died from injuries sustained in a hunting fall last weekend.

He was airlifted to hospital last Saturday, 2 February, after sustaining spinal injuries when falling from his horse.

At the time, Mr Slater was following the North Staffordshire hunt, of which he was a member. The hunt was following an artificial scent near Norton-in-Hales, Shropshire, at the time of the accident.

Mr Slater, from Aston near Market Drayton, died on Wednesday from complications following his fall.

“Mike’s death is absolutely heartbreaking,” said his wife, Debbie. “But he would have wanted us to stay as positive as possible, to celebrate his life rather than mourn the loss.”

The couple ran a livery yard near Market Drayton called Aston Manor Liveries.

Mrs Slater added: “He always had a positive approach to life and his favourite saying was to ‘kick-on’ if things ever got tough.”

As well as his wife, Mike leaves a son, Richard, from his first marriage, his mother, Beryl, brother, Denis, and sister, Jane.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed but H&H understands that plans for his own horses, together with hounds from the North Staffordshire, will be present.