Caitriona Murphy

THE sport of eventing is in shock following the death of a third rider in as many months last weekend.

British rider Philippa Humphreys was tragically killed in a cross-country fall at Jersey Fresh International in America.

She and her 13-year-old Dutch warmblood/thoroughbred skewbald horse Rich N Famous were competing in the CCI*** competition and had a rotational fall at fence 16, the table.

The 33-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries and was later pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

She is survived by her husband Peter and six-month-old daughter Millie. A fund, set up by Joanie Morris, US Equestrian Federation managing director of eventing, to be used for Millie’s college education has already received almost $60,000 in donations. To contribute, go to www.youcaring.com/millie-elizabeth-humphreys-570323

Peter issued a statement, which read: “Our darling little Millie keeps me strong. The overwhelming response to her college fund is unprecedented and I am in a state of shock to the amazing generosity. She will have the pick of the best schools in the country thanks to your kindness and caring.”

He added: “Lastly, for the riders, I wanted to say that Philly lived and breathed the sport. For her, the cross-country was it. All the work, expense and endless hours of dedication, it all came down to the few minutes on the [cross-country] course. She knew the risks.We talked about them often. She accepted them unconditionally. She went out the way she would have wanted, doing what she loved more than anything else in the world, on her most treasured partner, Rockstar.”

Philippa, was originally from Chester in England and moved to the United States in 2005.

Her passing follows the deaths of Australian teenagers Olivia Inglis in March and Caitlyn Fischer in April.