Teenage girl killed falling from horse at Sydney equestrian event

A TEENAGE girl has been killed after falling from a horse at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.

Killed falling from horse ... Caitlyn Fischer. Picture: Facebook

A TEENAGER has been killed after falling from a horse at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park.

Caitlyn Fischer, from Bairnsdale in Victoria, fell while competing in a cross country event, a statement by Equestrian Australia said.

Police said the 19-year-old fell from a horse at the centre on Saxony Rd just before 11am and was killed.

Caitlyn Fischer pictured during a previous competition. Picture: Facebook

She was attended to by paramedics but died at the scene, a NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed.

Ms Fischer was competing at the one-star level cross country event, two levels below the level of a professional Olympian.

The fence she and her horse were jumping was about 1.1m and is considered a “warm-up” jump before they move on to larger obstacles.

Three-star fences can be up to 1.4m.

“The understanding is the horse caught its foot on the fence and fell on the rider,” Judy Fasher, Equestrian Australian chair, said.

“In cross country we jump horses over fixed fences. If they hit the fence then often the horse will fall and it is just dreadful what happened.

“(Ms Fischer) was provided immediate medical attention by the on-course paramedic and doctor, but she was unable to be revived.

“Her mother was there almost immediately, and her brother and father are flying here now.

“It was shocking for everybody involved.”

The trials at the Sydney Equestrian Centre have been called off.

Mrs Fasher said Caitlin was a “young but experienced rider” who died while jumping over fence two.

“Our designers always try to make the first few fences on a course like this very simple so they are easily understood by horse and rider,” Mrs Fasher said.

“She would have started off at a good pace but not a fast pace. It was one of those horrendous accidents I’m afraid.

“She would not have been able to enter this competition if she did not meet the credentials of the sport.”

Wayne Roycroft, who is leading up the investigation on behalf of the International Equestrian Federation, said: “the sport has its dangers but obviously it’s a total tragedy.

“The investigation will be to make sure that the entire course, and in particular that fence, is within the rules.”

Asked whether this incident will lead to changes in the sport he said: “there could be changes”.

Olympian Shane Rose, who doesn’t know the competitor but has a friend who does, said the riding community “is in massive shock”.

“Horses are dangerous animals,” he said.

“I have jumped over the fence in question and it is a very rudimentary fence. There is nothing in its nature that would give me any concerns about it.

“It’s a fence that is there to get the horses confident. For it to happen on a fence like that is unbelievable.

“There is always things that can be done to reduce dangers.”

Jessica Nagel, 24, from Double Day, was at the outdoor arena shortly after the incident and saw Caitlyn Fischer laying on the ground.

The horse, 12-year-old cross-thoroughbred Ralphie, was not near the victim.

“I saw some young girls who had witnessed it and they were pretty shaken up about it,” she said.

“When you hear about things like this, because of what happened with Olivia Inglis, you immediately think the worst.”

Olivia Inglis, 17, who was killed last month.

The centre is currently hosting the Sydney International Horse Trials until May 1, which features top-level eventing and jumping riders, including Australian Olympians.

The event has now been cancelled.

“On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Caitlyn’s parents Alissa Carr and Mark Fischer and her family,” Equestrian Australia chair Judy Fasher said in a statement.

“The thoughts and prayers of horse people all over the country are with Caitlyn’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Last month, Olivia Inglis, 17, the daughter of bloodstock auctioneer Arthur Inglis, was killed when her horse fell on top of her during a botched jump at the Scone Horse Trials.

The “accomplished” teenager was competing in a cross country phase of the two-star competition and was the fourth rider to attempt the course when tragedy struck.

Riding her family horse Coriolanus, Ms Inglis was jumping fence number eight when the animal’s front legs clipped the second part of the fixed fence and she was caught underneath.

On-field paramedics and doctors rushed to her aid and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched but Ms Inglis was unable to be revived.

Originally published as Teenage girl killed falling from horse at Sydney equestrian event