Event rider dies as he falls from horse

Published on Monday 27 April 2009 01:10

A PROFESSIONAL event rider died yesterday after falling from his horse while taking part in the Belton Park Horse Trials in Lincolnshire.

Organisers British Eventing said an investigation had been launched into the incident which killed 47-year-old Ian Olding had been launched.

The jump where he and his horse fell was fenced off after the accident.

Alex Fox, chairman of British Eventing, said: "Our sympathies are with Ian's family. Ian was a well-known and respected rider who competed for many years.

Mr Olding – who was based in Sandbach, Cheshire, but was originally from Ireland – was competing in the advanced section of the trials when he fell from his 12-year-old horse, Gran-Kiki, at a fence. The horse escaped the accident with a few cuts.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "There are no suspicious circumstances that we are aware of. Normal inquiries are going on into the circumstances surrounding the accident."

Friends and colleagues last night posted tributes to the three-day-eventer on the Horse & Hound magazine website.

One read: "He was one of the nicest men I've ever known. He's been teaching at our yard for years and has touched goodness knows how many lives. I can't believe such a huge character is no longer with us. Can't quite believe that I'll never again hear his cheery insults delivered in his own inimitable style."

Another said: "Ian was a lovely genuine guy and although I don't know him well, the times we met he was brilliantly funny and he could always put a smile on everyone's face."

Two years ago, Eleanor Brennan, 21, a friend of Zara Phillips, was killed during an equestrian competition.

Miss Brennan, one of Britain's most promising young three-day event riders, was crushed when her horse, Mr Barnabus, stumbled at a jump and fell on top of her at an event in Florida.