British professional horse rider dies during international tournament in Devon

Georgie Campbell suffered a fatal accident during the Bicton International Horse Trials

(Brian Lawless/PA) (PA Archive)

A British equestrian horse rider has died after a fall at trials in Devon.

Professional rider Georgie Campbell died while competing at The Bicton International Horse Trials, a four-day event taking place from Thursday to Sunday.

Governing body British Eventing said in a statement on Sunday: “It is with deepest regret that we announce that Georgie Campbell (GBR) suffered a fatal accident whilst competing at the Bicton International Horse Trials in Devon, England, on Sunday 26 May 2024.

“Medical professionals attended immediately following her fall at fence 5b, however, unfortunately, she could not be saved.

“The horse, Global Quest, was assessed by the on-site vets and walked back to the stable and is uninjured.

“To respect the family’s privacy at this extremely difficult and sad time, no further details will be shared.”

Ms Campbell, 36, was two when she was first taught to ride by her mother Debbie, a former GB endurance rider, in her native Kent and was initially a top-level showing rider before turning to eventing.

Shortlisted for the British junior team in her teens, Ms Campbell made her five-star debut in 2009 and quickly progressed, representing Great Britain numerous times on Nations Cup teams.

In 2010, with Master Monarch, Ms Campbell won the prize for the highest-placed rider under 25 in the British Open at Gatcombe and made her four-star debut at Burghley.

She competed at Badminton, Burghley and Pau five-star events, but in an Equine America interview last year she also cited winning the 4* Long in 2022 at Ligniers on Global Quest as a career highlight.

She most recently placed third with the same horse in the CCI3*-S class at Osberton.

Ms Campbell married fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell, a member of the New Zealand team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, in December 2020.

Together the pair joined personal and professional forces to create Team Campbell Eventing.

In a joint interview with her husband last summer, Ms Campbell told Equine America that three top items on her bucket list were “win(ing) a 5*, (to) compete at an Olympic Games (and) go on safari”.

Asked what she had wished she had learned earlier in her career, Ms Campbell replied: “Not to compare yourself to others. Have faith in your own system and enjoy the little things every day.”

Devon and Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.