Tributes have been paid after a 26-year-old woman was killed after being kicked in the head by her own HORSE.
Samantha Cawkwell, 26, was found in a field in Lytham St Annes, Lancs., at around 4.40pm on Sunday (July 19).
It is understood Miss Cawkwell was bringing the horse into stable when it kicked out, striking her in the head and neck and causing the fatal injuries.
Paramedics and police were called to the field and the horse rider was taken to nearby Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.
A file is now being prepared for the coroner.
Miss Cawkwell is the partner of another dressage rider and trainer Andrew Hackett.
It is believed they ran a dressage horse company together called Ultimate Dressage Horse.
The equestrian world paid tribute to Miss Cawkwell, known as Sam, with online messages in the horse world bible Horse and Hound.
An unnamed friend said: “Sam was an experienced horse owner and rider. This a terrible tragedy. She and Andrew had some lovely dressage horses together and both rode to the highest standard bringing the best out of the animals.”
Speaking from her home in Lytham St Annes, the mother of Samantha’s partner Andrew Hackett expressed her shock at the sudden loss.
Eileen Hackett said: “We’re all absolutely devastated. There’s just no answer to it really.
“She was so young and she was doing something she loved so much.
“We can’t believe what’s happened. It’s a real tragedy.”
