An 80-year-old Norfolk equestrian died after being knocked over and trampled by one of her horses in an accident that an inquest on Tuesday recorded as accidental.
The inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Margaret Davies was leading her horse, named Benny, to a paddock near her home in Wood Dalling on August 8 when the animal became spooked, lurched sideways, knocked her to the ground and accidentally stood on her. She was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with traumatic chest injuries, treated on the high dependency unit, developed pneumonia and died there on August 24.
Area coroner Johanna Thompson told the hearing that Davies suffered traumatic chest injuries as a result of being knocked over and trampled on by the horse. Thompson concluded that Davies' death was accidental. The inquest heard that Davies was unaccompanied at the time of the incident, leaving the precise cause of the horse's sudden fright unknown.
Davies had devoted her adult life to equestrianism as a competitor, breeder and trainer. Her husband, Peter Davies, a retired eye surgeon, told the court she had been highly regarded in local and international horse trials, including dressage, cross-country and show jumping. He said she had continued to keep and care for horses into her later years despite previous falls and medical advice to stop riding.
A statement from her GP, read at the inquest, said Davies had been advised to give up riding in 2018; the GP recorded that she responded, "Never." The hearing was told she had not ridden for about six months before the accident but still kept two horses.
Peter Davies described the incident as "an awful, tragic accident," and said his wife was "passionate about horses and a lover of nature from a very early age". He told the court that her affinity with animals had been evident throughout her life and that she was well respected within the Norfolk equestrian community.
Davies served as president of the Carousel Riding Club, a Norfolk-based organisation active since 1965, which posted a tribute on its website noting her long association with the club and her expertise in dressage. The club said she would be fondly remembered by members.
The coroner confirmed medical staff had provided appropriate emergency care following the incident. The record of accidental death reflects the coroner's finding that the traumatic injuries sustained in the fall and subsequent trampling, and complications that followed while she was treated in hospital, led to her death.
Local authorities and equestrian organisations advise handlers to take precautions when leading horses, particularly older animals or those that may be sensitive to sudden stimuli, but the inquest made no ruling beyond the accidental cause of Davies' death. The case was closed following the coroner's conclusion.