A rider died when her horse fell on top of her after losing its balance during a jump.
Life-long rider Victoria Howlett, 27, was practising jumping with Sherry, her Dutch Warmblood horse, in a field next to her parents’ home in Lincolnshire when it tripped and threw her off.
As she lay on the ground the horse lost its balance and rolled on to her head.
Her parents, David and Deborah witnessed the tragic accident at Spalding Common along with fiance Guy Woods. They were all in the field watching her at the time.
Mr Woods ran to give her CPR but she was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Life-long rider Victoria Howlett, 27, was practising jumping with Sherry, her Dutch Warmblood horse, in a field next to her parents’ home in Lincolnshire when it tripped and threw her off (pictured in 2008 with horse Burty)
The inquest at Boston Coroner’s Court heard how Miss Howlett was an experienced rider who had won prizes at horsing events.
The hearing was told how she and Sherry had jumped a pole suspended across two chairs a few times before the tragedy struck.
It also heard that on the last jump the horse had ‘pace’ and its hind legs caught the bar causing it to trip.
An air ambulance and police were called to Spalding Common following the accident that happened around 9am on Saturday September 23.
Her father David said his daughter was an experienced rider.
He added: ‘She was on land she was familiar with. They had warmed up and she lined up for the last jump.
‘She was unconscious straight after it happened. Guy gave her CPR.
‘We have had Sherry since she was three and she is 10 now. The ground was good and there were no distractions.’
A post mortem at Leicester Royal Infirmary found she had a large cut to her forehead, significant internal injuries with severe injuries to her brain, head and neck.
The medical cause of death was severe head and neck injuries.
Coroner Murray Spittal said: ‘Victoria was doing what she normally did on a Saturday morning, riding her horse.
‘The horse tripped and rolled over her head, causing catastrophic injuries that caused her death.
‘I therefore conclude she died as a result of an accident.’