Tragedy as show jumper is killed in fall
A SHOW jumper has been killed in a riding accident days before she was due to receive one of the sport’s top awards.
Caroline MacAskill, 52, died from injuries she suffered after a fall.
Her devoted husband ian, 54, is believed to have tried to resuscitate her before she was taken to raigmore Hospital in inverness.
He was one of many to pay tribute to his wife on social media, sharing an image of her smiling while wearing equestrian dress, with the caption, ‘Beautiful’.
Her sister, Mame MacKenzie wrote: ‘My beautiful, gorgeous, adorable sister who i love from the bottom of my heart – rest easy Cars.’
Mrs MacAskill was put in a medically induced coma after the accident but died six days later.
the keen equestrian, who worked for Cairn Housing Association, had been due to be presented with a prize at the British showjumping Awards in solihull, West Midlands, on tuesday.
Mrs MacAskill, from fortrose, near inverness, won the 2015-16 70cm and 80cm event at the scottish Club Leagues and was invited to accept her League Winner rosette.
British showjumping officials have held back the award until her family contacts them.
Her local Caledonian riding Club, which she supported at numerous events, described her as ‘a popular and well-known figure at so many riding events both in the Highland area and beyond’.
the club added: ‘Her goodhumoured enthusiasm for her sport shone through everything she did.
‘she will be so much missed and was a wonderful example to everyone else of doing what you love most with commitment and courage.’
Jason MacGilp, chief executive of Cairn Housing Association, said she would be ‘very sorely missed’.
He added: ‘Caroline was our head of customer services and will be known to many housing colleagues and partner organisations throughout scotland, particularly in Highlands, where she served much of her career.
‘she was always an enthusiastic and skilled member of the team and her passion for life and for delivering quality services for tenants always shone through in her work. she cared about people and the communities she worked for.
‘Caroline helped so many people through her working life and further afield over the years, and she will be very sorely missed by us all.’
Hundreds of people have also posted online condolences to her husband after his emotional photo tribute to his late wife.
Cara Jane wrote: ‘sorry for your loss, ian. Beautiful describes her perfectly, inside and out.
‘so many of us horsey lot are going to miss her and this picture is how many of us will remember her – in her horsey clothes with a smile.’
Donna Mills posted: ‘ian, i don’t have enough words to take your loss away.
‘Caroline looked to be a beautiful lady, try to remember all the good times you had together and i am sure there were many – by the photo she looked to be a very loving, caring person.
‘My heart is with you at this very sad time.’
Debbie Clark said: ‘i love this photo of Caroline, she makes me want to smile back at her.
‘A beautiful, kind and loving lady who i’m going to miss.
‘Be strong ian, we are here for you any time you need a natter.’
A man who answered the phone at the couple’s home and identified himself as Mrs MacAskill’s father-in-law said no one was available for comment.
Police scotland confirmed she had been in a fall last month and that she died days after being placed in a medically induced coma.
A statement said: ‘A 52-year-old woman died in hospital from injuries sustained as a result of a fall from a horse at fortrose on sunday, september 25. she died on October 1.’
‘Caroline had a passion for life’