Equestrianism: Rider killed in fall at Windsor

A RIDER was killed at the Windsor Horse Trials yesterday when his horse fell at the 14th fence of the cross-country course. Richard Adams, aged 23, was competing in the event's national section.

Adams, from Wokingham, Berkshire, was crushed when his horse, Another Hero II, fell on him after hitting the obstacle. An air ambulance was on the scene within minutes and he was taken to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, but was dead on arrival.

The fatality, the first in competition at Windsor, came at a seemingly innocuous obstacle, which more than 100 competitors had tackled without undue difficulty before Adams reached it yesterday.

Adams, who was single, ran an equestrian centre with his parents, David and Anne.

In the International Horse Trials, Andrew Hoy, a gold medallist for Australia in Barcelona, took the lead on Snow Gum after the cross-country section.

The national champion, Pippa Nolan, clocked up just two time faults with Merry Gambler to lie second, less than a point ahead of Ian Stark on Dear Hardy with Nicola Davico fourth on Goldfinch.

Mark Todd displayed his expertise when guiding the one-eyed former racehorse General Knowledge clear and fast around the course. They now have every chance of improving on their eighth position in today's show jumping.

BRITANNY FERRIES WINDSOR HORSE TRIALS: Leading riders after two sections: 1 Snow Gum (A Hoy, Aus) 55.60pts; 2 Merry Gambler (P Nolan, GB) 57.20; 3 Dear Hardy (I Stark, GB) 58.00; 4 Goldfinch (N Davico, GB) 60.20; 5 Mon Petit (D Seguret, Fr) 61.20. Junior Championship after two sections: 1 Sydney James (N Lynn) 43.4; 2 Time Watch (L Jennings) 57.2; 3 Rise 'N Shine II (L Stockley) 57.2.