Inglis family ‘so proud of Olivia’

Olivia Inglis’s parents have told of the ‘passion for horses’ they shared with their daughter.

Olivia Inglis’s parents have told of the “passion for horses” they shared with their daughter, following the death of the young rider at an equestrian event on Sunday.

Arthur Inglis, scion of the prominent Inglis family, and his wife, Charlotte, said they were “so proud of Olivia and the beautiful young woman she was”, as it was revealed her horse had suffered a displaced fracture in its neck during a “rotational fall” during the event in NSW and was put down yesterday.

Mr Inglis, deputy chairman of 150-year-old bloodstock auction firm William Inglis & Sons, said they were “blessed to have had the opportunity to share our passion for horses with our children”.

“This has led us on a great journey where we have been able to spend countless happy ­moments and special family times. So much to celebrate and a life so joyous and well lived.”

It had been thought the horse, Coriolanus, was not seriously injured as he grazed in a paddock after the event with no obvious signs of broken bones. But a statement issued by the family firm yesterday said X-rays revealed the animal had suffered injuries “much worse than originally reported”.

“Following advice from Scone Equine Hospital, Coriolanus was euthanised earlier today,” the family said. “He was a talented competitor and loved family member and will be sadly missed.”

The 17-year-old schoolgirl died at the Scone Horse Trials in the Hunter Valley at the weekend in what has been described as a “freak accident”.

Her horse fell at a jump less than halfway through the cross country event. Olivia was caught underneath Coriolanus and could not be revived.

The Scone event, seen as a proving ground for future Olympians, was later cancelled.

A funeral service “and celebration of Olivia’s life” will be held at 11.30am at St Jude’s Anglican Church, Randwick, on March 14.