Georgie Campbell dies in fatal fall at Bicton Horse Trials

Georgie Strang fatal fall: the rider died in a fall at Bicton Horse Trials — Georgie Strang and Global Quest competing at Upton House in 2019.

(Image credit: Nico Morgan)

British event rider Georgie Campbell has died in a fatal fall at Bicton Horse Trials today (26 May).

Georgie and Global Quest were competing in the CCI4*-S at the Devon event when they fell at the log into water at fence 5b on the cross-country course.

A statement released by the event at 6pm said: “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.”

Global Quest is an 11-year-old gelding belonging to Diana and Lance Morrish. Georgie, 36, had competed him throughout his eventing career and the horse had stepped up to four-star level in 2022. In the autumn of that year, they won the CCI4*-L at Lignières in France and they had been placed a number of other times at national and international events. Georgie had competed at five-star on other horses, completing both Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials.

Georgie (née Strang) married New Zealand event rider Jesse Campbell in December 2020. The couple were based in Kent.

An initial statement released by the event at 3.30pm explained that Georgie and Global Quest had had a fall and she had been attended to immediately by on-site medical professionals. It said there would be a delay on course of approximately one hour. The CCI4*-S, which was due to finish with today’s cross-country phase, was subsequently abandoned and a further statement released confirming that Georgie Campbell had had a fatal fall.

The three long format classes at Bicton – a CCI3*-L, a young rider CCI3*-L and a CCI2*-L – were all concluded, with their final showjumping phases having already taken place.

Updated 1 May 2026 Georgie Campbell’s inquest

An inquest into the death of Georgie Campbell concluded that it was an accident. Assistant coroner Deborah Archer presided over the inquest at Devon Coroner’s Court in Exeter on 30 April 2026. She concluded that Georgie died as a result of a “catastrophic head injury in a rotational fall”.

Friends and family have paid tribute to the late five-star eventer Georgie Campbell (pictured).

‘A beautiful person and a beautiful rider’: family and friends pay tribute to Georgie Campbell

A charitable foundation has been set up in memory of the late British five-star rider Georgie Campbell (pictured).

Georgie Campbell Foundation set up to help aspiring riders ‘fulfil their dreams’

Initiatives keep Georgie Campbell’s memory alive – and give back to the sport she loved

Time to give back to the sport Georgie Campbell loved as support scheme applications open

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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.