Inquest held into whipper-in’s hunting death
A whipper-in suffered a huge stroke after being dragged his horse into a tree, an inquest has heard.
Gary Bradley, who whipped-in to the Minehead Harriers, was 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 was hanging from the saddle by one stirrup and was dragged down the drop until he hit a tree.
He suffered a severe pelvic fracture, broken ribs and a head injury and died on 27 January in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.
At the inquest at West Somerset Coroner’s Court, in Taunton on Tuesday (28 August), West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose recorded a narrative verdict.
He said 55-year-old Mr Bradley, from Timberscombe, Somerset, had died from a large stroke caused by significant swelling to the brain.
The post-mortem had shown significant trauma to Mr Bradley’s head, he said.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
