Boy killed by horse at showjumper’s yard

A child has died after being crushed by a horse at the yard of his uncle — leading Scottish showjumper, Alex Barr.

Matthew Young, who was 4, died in hospital of his injuries shortly after the freak accident at Kypehall Farm near Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, last Thursday (2 January).

H&H understands that Matthew was standing behind the entrance of the indoor arena watching the horse being loose schooled when it stumbled and fell through the gate onto him. The accident happened in front of his mother, Maggie.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A postmortem examination will be held in due course to establish the exact cause of death.

“However, the death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Local riders took to social media to express their sadness at Matthew’s death.

One woman wrote: “We’re all pretty shocked up here. Alex and his sister — Matthew’s mum — are regular competitors.

“A lovely family. Just awful and heartbreaking.”

Another woman, Jacqui Broderick, posted: “Such a terrible tragedy — a freak accident, but such a horrible consequence.”

Alex Barr has won the Scottish puissance title and qualified horses for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at newcomers and Grade C level.

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