Ex-team GB rower died after being thrown from horse

A FORMER Team GB rower and Army captain died when she was thrown from her horse and landed in a 10ft deep ditch, an inquest heard.

Tanya Brady was riding in the countryside in Liss, Hants, on April 28 when her horse became “spooked” and suddenly raced off.

The 49-year-old mother-of-one screamed as she tried to control the horse but moments later it halted and threw her off.

Scaffolder Andrew Foster, who was working nearby and saw the accident, said: “The female rider took to the grass with her horse and the horse gathered speed. I estimate it got to 35mph across the green with the female rider screaming as she tried to get control of the horse. She was ejected from the horse, I heard a crack as she fell.”

Ms Brady, who led tours in Bosnia for the Army, was also an “accomplished”’ Team GB rower and won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships in Japan. She was described by her husband Sean Brady, a brigadier in the Royal Marines, as an “amazing individual who strived for perfection”.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died of multiple traumatic injuries to her chest. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.