Mum-of-two champion rider, 34, who trained Queen Elizabeth’s horses died from ‘massive trauma’ at equestrian contest

SportOther Sports A CHAMPION rider who trained Queen Elizabeth’s horses died after suffering “massive trauma” in a fall at an event, an inquest heard. Sophie Fouracre was riding at Swalcliffe Equestrian Park in Oxfordshire on July 18 when she fell from her mare, Rhubarbsfox Britannia. Sophie Fouracre died after falling from a horse at an equestrian event Credit: Facebook/sophiefouracre The championship rider had just returned from a family holiday Credit: Facebook/sophiefouracreeventing The mum-of-two, 34, tragically could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene. A post mortem found skilled rider Sophie died from “massive trauma”. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Tragically, her death came just hours before another horse rider – 42-year-old Kerry Donoghue – died at a separate event at Penrith in Cumbria. Sophie had just returned from a family holiday in Italy with her husband, two children and her mum before heading to the event. Area coroner Nicholas Graham adjourned the full inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court until November 23. Sophie was an experienced rider who had competed at the infamous Burghley Horse Trials. Sophie was an experienced rider who rode four horses for the late Queen Credit: Facebook/sophiefouracre She suffered a massive trauma in the fall Credit: Alamy The gruelling three-day event takes place every summer in Lincolnshire and is among the toughest in the sport. She had also ridden four horses for the late Queen and had stables at her parent’s Hampshire farm. Most read in Sport Paying tribute to both Sophie and Kerry, Rosie Williams, Chief Executive of British Eventing, said: “The British Eventing community is heartbroken. “On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Kerry and Sophie’s families, friends and loved ones at this devastating time. “Our thoughts are also with their fellow competitors, organisers, officials, volunteers and everyone who has been affected by these tragic events. “We are immensely grateful to the organisers, doctors, paramedics, veterinary teams, officials and emergency services at both events for the professionalism, compassion and care they showed in the most difficult of circumstances. “The loss of two members of our eventing family on the same day is almost beyond words, and we know the sadness of these events will be felt profoundly across the sport for some time to come.” The organisation said comprehensive reviews of the tragedies will now take place.