Two cross-country horse riders die within hours of each other at separate competitions

4344×2896 px. Credit: Getty TWO cross-country horse riders have died within hours of each other at separate competitions. British Eventing confirmed that Sophie Fouracre, 34, and Kerry Donoghue, 42, both died in separate incidents on Saturday. Two cross-country horse riders have died within hours of each other at separate competitions Credit: Alamy Ms Fouracre was fatally injured in a cross-country incident, riding Rhubarbsfox Brittania in Swalcliffe Park, Oxfordshire. Just hours later, Ms Donoghue died in another cross-country event in Penrith, Cumbria while riding Carneyhaugh Rua. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! British Eventing said medical teams “responded immediately and provided emergency treatment”. But despite their best efforts, neither rider could be saved. Both horses were also examined after the incidents by the attending veterinary team – they were found to be uninjured. 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. Most read in Sport “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 both incidents will now take place. Mental health charity, Riders Minds said: “Our hearts go out to our community after the desperately sad news this weekend. “Immediate support is available for everyone affected.” Eventing is an equestrian event where a rider competes across three disciplines: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Sarah Yorke also died, aged 37, as she was taking part in a cross-country event at Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials in Northamptonshire last year. The primary school teacher’s horse failed to jump the third fence and landed on top of her, an inquest heard. In May 2024, horse-riding star Georgie Campbell died after suffering a horror fall while competing at a competition in Devon. She was tragically killed after her horse flipped on top of her at the Bitcon International Horse Trials.