British eventer killed in cross-country fall

Philippa Humphreys, a 33-year-old British event rider based in Rockford, Michigan has died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall on the CCI3* cross-country course at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event in New Jersey, United States today (14 May).

Philippa fell at fence 16, a table, while riding her own 13-year-old coloured gelding Rich N Famous. The horse was not hurt in the incident.

A statement from Dan Wunderlich, chairman of the Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event, said: “It is with deep regret that we announce that rider No:52, Philippa Humphreys, 33, suffered fatal injuries in a fall at fence 16, the table, on the cross-country course of the CCI3* at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event.

“Humphreys, a British citizen living in Rockford, Michigan, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in nearby Hamilton, NJ, where she was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Her horse, Rich N Famous, was uninjured.

“All of us connected with the Jersey Fresh International are deeply saddened by today’s tragic news and we extend our condolences to Philippa’s husband, Peter, and to her entire family.”

Philippa was a regular eventing competitor up to three-star level and a United States Eventing Federation ICP level II instructor. Born in Chester and having ridden since early childhood, Philippa moved to the United States in her early 20s and established a successful business with her husband Peter. They have a six-month-old daughter, Millie.

Philippa is the third rider to have died as the result of a cross-country fall during the past three months. Olivia Inglis, 17, died from injuries sustained in a fall in a national two-star competition at Scone Horse Trials in Australia on 6 March. Caitlyn Fischer, 19, suffered a fatal injuries in the one-star at the Sydney International Horse Trials on 30 April.

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A horse has also been put down in a separate incident during the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event. Inoui Van Bost, who was being ridden in the CCI2* by Skylar Decker, suffered serious injuries in a fall at fence 19 and was put down after being assessed at the New Jersey Equine Clinic in Millstone, New Jersey.

Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.