Equestrian inquest: mother ‘had concerns’ about fatal jump

Olivia Inglis’ mother shared her concerns prior to the event, an inquiry has heard.

The parents of Olivia Inglis, Charlotte and Arthur Inglis arrive at the inquest into their daughter’s death. Picture: AAP

The mother of teenage rider Olivia Inglis, who died while competing at an elite cross-country event in March 2016 “had concerns” about the jump her daughter died at, even before the competition began, a coronial inquiry has heard.

The first day of a two-week inquest into the deaths of teenage riders Olivia and Caitlyn Fischer, who were fatally crushed by their horses within weeks of each other in 2016, has begun at NSW Coroner’s court.

Olivia Inglis.

At the hearing before magistrate Derek Lee this morning, it was heard Charlotte Inglis had “raised concerns” regarding the jump combination with Olympic champion Shane Rose after “walking through” the course with her daughter. He is expected to appear as a witness later this week.

Olivia died on March 6 2016 after her horse Coriolanus fell and crushed her while competing at the Scone Horse Trials in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Despite receiving “urgent medical attention” from a doctor, paramedics and the Westpac rescue helicopter, Olivia was unable to be revived.

Just weeks later, on April 30, 2016, Caitlyn was riding her horse, Ralphie, in a cross country event at the Sydney International Horse Trials, when she similarly sustained a rotational fall.

Caitlyn’s mother Ailsa Carr, who is a registered nurse and works in intensive care, sprinted to be by her side just moments after her fall.

The court heard Ms Carr was able to tell immediately that Caitlyn had died as she had sustained major head injuries and her pupils were dilated.

Caitlyn Fischer.

Counsel assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer told the court, the key points of inquiry to be investigated over the course of the hearing before deputy coroner Derek Lee, will explore whether safety procedures at NSW equestrian events were adequate to minimise the risk of serious injury or death.

Other issues to be explored will be whether there were appropriate risk management and emergency response plans in place and whether the recommendations arising from Equestrian Australia’s report following the deaths was “appropriate.”

“There is no doubt eventing is a challenging and dangerous sport but one of the central issues for this court is what can be learned from Olivia and Cailtyn’s tragic deaths to try and minimise the risk of injury,” counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer said. “ … And to maximise the chance of survival for the rider if an injury does occur.”

Dr Dwyer said the teenagers were “beautiful young women”, who were both highly experienced at competing in eventing at an elite level.

“There is a common thread in relation to both Caitlyn and Olivia that they were both young owmen with enormous potential, both intellectually, personally, and of course also in this sport,” Dr Dwyer said. “Both of them were also delightful young women.”

The packed courtroom included Equestrian Australia CEO Lucy Warhurst, and former chair Judy Fasher, who resigned from her position in March.

Ms Warhurst also read out a statement to the court and in a tearful moment said the organisation was “deeply sorry” for the loss of the two young women and seeks to provide the safest possible environment to riders.