Mother becomes third rider killed in cross-country trials this year
A BRITISH horse rider described as a “truly amazing woman” has become the third cross-country competitor to die in as many months after her horse crashed into a fence during an event in the United States.
Philippa Humphreys, originally from Chester, sustained fatal injuries at fence 16 of the cross-country section at the Jersey Fresh International threeday event in Allentown, New Jersey, on Saturday.
The 33-year-old, who was married with a six-month-old daughter, Millie, was taken to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital but was pronounced dead. Her horse, Rich N Famous, was uninjured.
Australian riders Olivia Inglis, 17, and Caitlyn Fischer, 19, both died during cross-country horse trials in Australia in March and April respectively.
Mrs Humphreys began riding when she was two years old and attended Leeds University. She moved to the United States in 2005 where she started an equine training business with her husband, Peter, whom she met as a child at the family grouse shooting moor. They set up home in Rockford, Michigan.
Less than three weeks ago, she wrote on Facebook that she had “so much to be thankful for.” “I always say life is about the journey,” she added. “And I am having one heck of a journey.”
Fellow riders and friends paid tribute to Mrs Humphreys.
Kaytee Willey described “truly amazing woman”. “Not only was she a great horsewoman and trainer, but she was also a great friend,” she wrote on Facebook. “My heart broke when I heard the news today, and the fact that I will never see her smiling face, or have her joke around with me … hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Courtney Cooper, who became a friend of Mrs Humphreys over the past year, said: “She was an amazing woman with a keen sense of humour, humility and honour.”
Mrs Humphreys was reported by one witness to have been thrown clear during the rotational fall – when the horse flipped over after its front hooves hit the jump.
Rusty Lowe, a safety officer for Jersey Fresh, said a bystander nurse initially administered CPR with additional medical staff arriving in 45 seconds.
“The medical staff gave a heroic effort to attempt to treat and resuscitate Philippa. Unfortunately, her injuries were severe enough that she could not be resuscitated.” Dan Wunderlich, the chairman of the event, said his team were “deeply saddened” by the news and extended his condolences to Mrs Humphreys’ family.