Two British eventers died within hours of each other Saturday due to falls on cross-country at separate events in England.
Sophie Fouracre, a three-time veteran of the Burghley 5-Star, was fatally injured while riding a 5-year-old mare, Rhubarbsfox Britannia, at Swalcliffe Park in Oxfordshire. Shortly thereafter at Penrth in Cumbira, Kerry Donoghue died after an accident in the Open Novice while aboard Carneyhaugh Rua, on whom David Doel finished tenth at the Luhmuelen 5-star in 2021.
“At both venues, the event medical teams responded immediately and provided emergency treatment. Despite their best efforts, neither rider could be saved,” a British Eventing spokesperson said.
“Both horses were examined by the attending veterinary team and were found to be uninjured.”
All competition was stopped after the accidents and did not resume at either venue.
BE chief executive Rosie Williams 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, organizers, officials, volunteers and everyone who has been affected by these tragic events.
“We are immensely grateful to the organizers, 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.”
In accordance with BE procedures, “comprehensive reviews of both accidents will now be undertaken”.