Inglis dynasty rocked by loss of girl with Olympic dreams

Rising equestrian star Olivia Inglis’s young life was cut short yesterday as she competed in the sport she was ­devoted to.

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

She was born into one of Australia’s oldest auction families and was on the path to Olympic greatness. But equestrian rising star Olivia Inglis’s young life was cut short yesterday as she competed in the sport she was ­devoted to.

The 17-year-old, who aspired to compete for Australia at the Olympics, died after being crushed beneath her mount.

Members of her family ­witnessed the accident as her horse clipped the eighth fence at the Scone Horse Trials in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley.

Olivia, whose family founded the 150-year-old company synonymous with bloodstock auctions, William Inglis & Son, was riding Coriolanus when the horse fell during the cross-country phase in the morning session. Despite ­urgent medical attention from the course doctor and a crew from the Tamworth and Newcastle rescue helicopter, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Coriolanus, who has been with the Inglis family for the past four years, was under veterinary supervision yesterday as police investigated the incident.

Olivia was one of three daughters of Arthur, deputy chairman and major shareholder in William Inglis & Son, and Charlotte Inglis, who also has an equestrian background and trained Coriolanus.

Mr Inglis was too upset to comment yesterday.

Olivia Inglis has died while competing.

Olivia’s grandfather was John Inglis, the patriarch of the auction house that has sold some of the most famous thoroughbreds of the past century, from Heroic to Black Caviar.

A student at the Frensham school in the NSW Southern Highlands, which is renowned for its equine program, Olivia was ­regarded as one of the best young riders.

She had progressed through levels of competition, commencing with introductory, preliminary and pre-novice.

At two-star, she was one level away — a matter of rides — from being able to compete at Olympic qualifying standard.

At the point when she made the fatal error, three riders had already negotiated the fixed obstacle without incident. It had not been linked to any incidents last year.

The Scone Horse Trials, seen as a proving ground for future Olympians, were cancelled, and counselling was arranged for those who witnessed the accident.

Hundreds of people had ­travelled to the Upper Hunter ­Valley to contest the trials or watch friends and relatives in ­action.

Julie Gillick, principal of ­Frensham, part of the Winifred West Schools, emailed parents. “The thoughts of the entire WWS community are with Olivia’s parents Arthur and Charlotte, their daughters Antoinette (Year 10) and Alexandra (Year 4) and their extended family — at this unimaginably difficult time,” she said.

Tributes poured in on social media from the equestrian communi­ty and friends.

Her friend, Angela Begg, who posted on Facebook a picture of the pair as young girls riding ­horses, wrote: “While today we lost a beautiful friend and rider, heaven gained an angel”.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Additional reporting: Gina Rushton,

Sam Buckingham-Jones