TWO riders were tragically killed in warm-up arena riding accidents in Britain this week.

Well-respected show jumper Chris Moyce (60) passed away on Tuesday, April 15th following a fall in the warm-up arena at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre in Buckinghamshire, England 10 days earlier on April 4th.

“Chris passed away peacefully without regaining consciousness,” said close friend and fellow show jumper Heidi Luck. “On behalf of [his partner] Mark and the rest of Chris’s family, we would like to say Chris loved being a show jumper and it gives us some small comfort that he spent his last day doing his most favourite thing in the world. Mark and the family would like to thank everyone for all their support during this difficult time.”

Iain Graham, Chief Executive of British Showjumping, said: “Chris supported show jumping in many ways and was greatly respected by officials, staff and fellow competitors. He was always encouraging to those starting off in the sport and gave a lot of his time in helping British Showjumping activities in his area.”

Twenty-five-year-old Katie Hacche, a mother of one, was fatally injured after a fall in the warm-up arena at Little Mill Equestrian Centre in Wales on Saturday, April 12th. She was treated for over 90 minutes by first-aiders, paramedics and air ambulance personal but all attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

In a statement, Little Mill Equestrian Centre said: “We are all heartbroken and in shock. Our hearts go out to Katie’s family. She was such a lovely person and what a pleasure it was to see her ride here at Little Mill over the years. We simply cannot put into words how we are all feeling.

“I am reminded that even on a quiet day doing the sport you all love there is risk involved and we do everything we can to ensure people’s safety.”