Professional rider Georgie Campbell died after horse fell and landed on her, inquest finds

A professional rider died after her horse landed on top of her following a fall during an equestrian event, an inquest has heard. 

Georgie Campbell died while competing on the fourth and final day of the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon in May 2024.

An inquest into her death at Devon Coroners' Court on Thursday heard how the 36-year-old British event rider was thrown from her horse while attempting a jump.

Campbell, who was initially a top-level show rider before turning to eventing, was immediately attended to by medical staff but could not be saved.

Her husband, Jesse Campbell, had also been taking part in the event and told the inquest he had been watching his wife on a livestream when the incident happened.

A 'dedicated professional'

In a statement, Mr Campbell said that his wife and her horse, Global Quest, "looked awesome" on the first four jumps and that there was "no indication that anything was amiss at all".

The horse appeared to collide with the next jump and "somersault", throwing Campbell from its back and landing directly on top of her, the inquest heard.

Campbell died at the scene as a result of a catastrophic head injury.

Mr Campbell, a member of the New Zealand Olympic team in Tokyo in 2021, said his wife had been wearing suitable protective gear - including a helmet - at the time of the fall, and had previously walked the course to familiarise herself with it.

"Georgie was a dedicated professional," he said. "She was so incredibly thorough in all that she did."

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A 'terrible, tragic accident'

Assistant coroner Deborah Archer said Campbell had been "well-prepared" for the event and added that risk assessments of the course had been completed appropriately.

Ms Archer said: "I find she [Campbell] was talented, happily married and dedicated to her sport and career of choice.

"I find that this was nothing but a terrible, tragic accident, of a much-loved 36-year-old woman who died participating in the sport she loved."

Campbell had previously represented Britain numerous times in Nations Cup teams and appeared at several five-star events - the highest recognised level of eventing.

Following her death, Mr Campbell described her as "a strong, beautiful, phenomenal woman who just loved everything and everyone".

(c) Sky News 2026: Professional rider Georgie Campbell died after horse fell and landed on her, inquest finds