Rider died after horse bolted

A riding instructor died after her horse bolted while she was leading a school group on a cross-country course, an inquest heard.

Elaine Eyre, 28, was with a group of four girls from Cheltenham Ladies' College (CLC) when her horse "went out of control" and started to bolt in November 2001.

The party was on a rural route at the CLC Equestrian Centre in Great Witcombe, near Gloucester, when the accident happened, the coroner was told.

Eyewitness Rosemary Thorndale said she was walking her dogs when she saw the horses trying to get through a gate.

Horse bolted

She told the hearing: "One was out of control, bolting, and charged out of the gate on to the concrete road.

"Elaine's horse went down and made an awful noise. There were children and horses everywhere, not knowing what to do."

Mother-of-one Miss Eyre, from Hayden Hill, Old Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, later died of head injuries at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

A health and safety inspector confirmed she had been wearing a hard hat.

Coroner Paul Forrest recorded a verdict of accidental death.

The riding centre closed in April this year, citing financial reasons.