Second Horse Rider found Dead
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Second Horse Rider found Dead
Second horse rider found dead
Helen Carter
Wednesday October 20, 2004
The Guardian
The body of a woman has been found a few miles from the spot in Lincolnshire where a novice rider was thrown off and killed after the horse bolted as a Chinook helicopter flew overhead.
Horse rider Ann Smith's body was discovered in a lane at Waddingham, just a few miles from Manor Farm, Market Rasen, where Heather Bell died in June last year.
An inquest into the death of Mrs Bell, 38, was opened in Market Rasen on Monday. Within hours of the hearing beginning, the body of Mrs Smith, 50, from Scawby Brook, Lincolnshire, was found, amid speculation that her horse might have been spooked by military aircraft.
It emerged that Mrs Smith's horse had bolted at about 1.30pm that day. Her body was discovered shortly after a riderless horse had been seen by a member of the public.
Lincolnshire police said they could not confirm reports that a military aircraft had been involved.
A spokesman said that they were investigating numerous lines of inquiry to establish how Mrs Smith died. Police had as yet been unable to trace any witnesses.
A postmortem examination failed to establish a cause of death and further forensic science tests are due to take place over the next few days.
An inquest into Mrs Smith's death will be opened and adjourned tomorrow. The inquest on Mrs Bell continues.
Helen Carter
Wednesday October 20, 2004
The Guardian
The body of a woman has been found a few miles from the spot in Lincolnshire where a novice rider was thrown off and killed after the horse bolted as a Chinook helicopter flew overhead.
Horse rider Ann Smith's body was discovered in a lane at Waddingham, just a few miles from Manor Farm, Market Rasen, where Heather Bell died in June last year.
An inquest into the death of Mrs Bell, 38, was opened in Market Rasen on Monday. Within hours of the hearing beginning, the body of Mrs Smith, 50, from Scawby Brook, Lincolnshire, was found, amid speculation that her horse might have been spooked by military aircraft.
It emerged that Mrs Smith's horse had bolted at about 1.30pm that day. Her body was discovered shortly after a riderless horse had been seen by a member of the public.
Lincolnshire police said they could not confirm reports that a military aircraft had been involved.
A spokesman said that they were investigating numerous lines of inquiry to establish how Mrs Smith died. Police had as yet been unable to trace any witnesses.
A postmortem examination failed to establish a cause of death and further forensic science tests are due to take place over the next few days.
An inquest into Mrs Smith's death will be opened and adjourned tomorrow. The inquest on Mrs Bell continues.
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It looks like there is a band wagon for the equestrian fraternity to jump on.
If anybody saw the frankly apalling photographs of a professional rider meeting her maker in the press recently they will know that riding horses carries with it dangers, more so than life itself. If you fly aeroplanes, ride motorcycles, race cars or ride horses, then you dance with the devil.
The list could be extended to well beyond the internets capabilities. Live life to the full, and if you pay the ultimate price, so be it:
The premature death of anybody is a sad day, but here and the media is not the place for "And another one" tales of blame without any foundation.
If anybody saw the frankly apalling photographs of a professional rider meeting her maker in the press recently they will know that riding horses carries with it dangers, more so than life itself. If you fly aeroplanes, ride motorcycles, race cars or ride horses, then you dance with the devil.
The list could be extended to well beyond the internets capabilities. Live life to the full, and if you pay the ultimate price, so be it:
The premature death of anybody is a sad day, but here and the media is not the place for "And another one" tales of blame without any foundation.
I believe there was at least one death t'other day in the town where I live, and would you credit the co-incidence a Chinook flew over the town only the day before 
A Chinook is hardly noise stealthy, why didn't she dismount when she heard it coming over the horizon?
A Chinook is hardly noise stealthy, why didn't she dismount when she heard it coming over the horizon?
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A local Lincs radio station is currently trawling for witnesses to this event, under the guise of a crimebusters type advert.
You could almost hear it in their voices this afternoon!!
"There were no witnesses to this event but if any one saw anything, especially a helicopter, blah blah!!
The Lincs daily rag has also had the bad taste to link the previous accident and ongoing inquest with this death!!
You could almost hear it in their voices this afternoon!!
"There were no witnesses to this event but if any one saw anything, especially a helicopter, blah blah!!
The Lincs daily rag has also had the bad taste to link the previous accident and ongoing inquest with this death!!
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Surprized the Grauniad had space to run this one, given the space taken up by its adverts for 'equality policemen', 'social exclusion monitors' and 'attitude adjustment technicians'!
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Military low flying is always going to be an emotive subject for everyone, especially those outside the military. I agree with the comment about why she did not get off her horse and hold it if she had heard the a/c coming. It is indeed very sad that anyone should lose life because of others (yet to be proved in this case). I have a strong wish to see all low flying ceased over most of the populated UK but I also have a strong desire to see that blame for accidents is not attributed incorrectly. If people operate within the rules then blame cannot be attributed personally. If any"blame" exists then the rules need to be changed. Please dont necessarily see criticism as personal, it is really about criticising the rules by which we operate.
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A Chinook is hardly noise stealthy, why didn't she dismount when she heard it coming over the horizon?
Secondly, it's generally reckoned that the rider has most control over the horse when mounted - and dismounting on a road could very possibly have caused substantially more mayhem. given cars/lorries etc.
Finally, it's her pride and joy, so she's unlikely to abandon it because of what might (or might not) happen.
amid speculation that her horse might have been spooked by military aircraft
I do speak from some experience, having owned/ridden horses for most of the last 40 years, and been a mil pilot.
Last edited by airborne_artist; 21st Oct 2004 at 09:13.
I have a strong wish to see all low flying ceased over most of the populated UK
Where do you suggest we do it then? In the simulator?
Why is it that we don't feel it necessary to express our condolences to the family of the deceased whenever it is a non military person that died. Whatever the cause of the accident there is a family that now faces life without wife/mum/sister and their loss is no less.
I wonder if the hobby had been something other than (posh) horse riding wether we would get such replies as from spot4 probably not
The actions of the local press however are appaling
My thoughts and sympathies lie with the family and friends of Mrs Smith.
I wonder if the hobby had been something other than (posh) horse riding wether we would get such replies as from spot4 probably not
The actions of the local press however are appaling
My thoughts and sympathies lie with the family and friends of Mrs Smith.
As an ex military pilot and horse rider, I too would like to express my condolences. It is possible that a low flying aircraft is to blame. There should be an element of habituation for the horse here, if it was permanently stabled in Lincs, then it should have been well used to the noise and surprise of low flying a/c. So IMHO it is far more likely to be the fault of a lorry driver, a car driver, a motorbike driver, even a cyclist in garish dayglo colours who went past the horse at speed without consideration.
Getting off the horse is not always an option, as already said you have more control on horseback you and out of the way of metal-shod feet. Also, you may not be able to get back on board without a mounting block depending on your and your mount's relative sizes.
If you see a horse/rider on the roads, please slow down and pass SLOWLY and carefully. Remember 500kgs of horse with metal-shod feet is NOT an aircraft, and is not guaranteed to respond to the controls and WILL make a big dent in your prized car. I don't think riders want to jump on bandwagons about low flying a/c, they are far more concerned with trying to raise public awareness of other road users.
Getting off the horse is not always an option, as already said you have more control on horseback you and out of the way of metal-shod feet. Also, you may not be able to get back on board without a mounting block depending on your and your mount's relative sizes.
If you see a horse/rider on the roads, please slow down and pass SLOWLY and carefully. Remember 500kgs of horse with metal-shod feet is NOT an aircraft, and is not guaranteed to respond to the controls and WILL make a big dent in your prized car. I don't think riders want to jump on bandwagons about low flying a/c, they are far more concerned with trying to raise public awareness of other road users.
And they're often being ridden by pert young things who will brighten up your day with a smile and a friendly wave! So yes, DO slow down!!
It were allus a part of the Country Code when oi werr a lad - you'm best be slowin' down for 'orses - ooh arrr!
When I was first at the Covert Oxonian Aerodrome some 20 years ago, the way onto the southern side of the aerodrome was via the Bampton railway station gate (7), past JATE, then along the southern MT route (long since closed by some TWATCO). We could afford enough people to man the gate back then... But the best bit was my journey in to work always seemed to coincide with the ride home for a string of horses from the local stable. And many of those riders certainly were both young and pert - like 2 boiled eggs in a hankie from behind, was one of them...
And they always smiled and said thank you. Little did they know the real reason for this courtesy!
I'll agree with the 10 Hz passing exposure time, Gainesy!! Or should that be 10 JigglyHertz??
Notwithstanding the levity in my post, my condolences to the bereaved.
When I was first at the Covert Oxonian Aerodrome some 20 years ago, the way onto the southern side of the aerodrome was via the Bampton railway station gate (7), past JATE, then along the southern MT route (long since closed by some TWATCO). We could afford enough people to man the gate back then... But the best bit was my journey in to work always seemed to coincide with the ride home for a string of horses from the local stable. And many of those riders certainly were both young and pert - like 2 boiled eggs in a hankie from behind, was one of them...
And they always smiled and said thank you. Little did they know the real reason for this courtesy!I'll agree with the 10 Hz passing exposure time, Gainesy!! Or should that be 10 JigglyHertz??
Notwithstanding the levity in my post, my condolences to the bereaved.
Last edited by BEagle; 21st Oct 2004 at 15:17.
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I can only repeat was has already been said about taking care on the roads and being considerate. It cuts both ways and a word to all horse riders....make sure you are very aware of your own capabilities and those of your horse. There are ways of training horses especially youngsters out on roads and being as safe as you can (all animals are unpredictable). I appreciate that the horse could have spooked if the wind was in the wrong direction and they hadn't heard......etc but as somebody said a bin bag blowing out will have the same effect. I am very well versed in the ways of the horse and can say I have seen some appalling riders out and about, and although the good ones can be caught unawares it's a calculated risk all riders take. Know your limits.
A tragic accident. Heart felt condolences
A tragic accident. Heart felt condolences
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TR - Unfortunately I am not clever enough to offer solutions, only state the desire. Serously I simply do not know perhaps any more than does anyone else. That does not make the wish any less desirable. I hope most pilots would want it also because no one really wants to upset neighbours/taxpayers who fund it. Perhaps someone more enlightened than I may offer some POSSIBLE solutions.
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Some years ago when I was in the business of breeding horses I noticed that low-flying helicoptors spooked them far more than low-flying aircraft.
I noticed this on a number of occasions when agricultural aircraft were working paddocks on an adjoining property. When helicoptors were used the horses were considerably upset and on one occasion a mare lost a foal she was carrying after bolting and colliding with a fence post. When aircraft were used the horses hardly lifted their heads despite the aircraft climbing out overhead and then reversing their run.
Perhaps it was due to the rotor noise, a different harmonic, but I could not be sure. Whatever it is a tragedy for the riders concerned to die in such a fashion. My condolences to their relatives and friends.
I noticed this on a number of occasions when agricultural aircraft were working paddocks on an adjoining property. When helicoptors were used the horses were considerably upset and on one occasion a mare lost a foal she was carrying after bolting and colliding with a fence post. When aircraft were used the horses hardly lifted their heads despite the aircraft climbing out overhead and then reversing their run.
Perhaps it was due to the rotor noise, a different harmonic, but I could not be sure. Whatever it is a tragedy for the riders concerned to die in such a fashion. My condolences to their relatives and friends.
