Experienced rider died after fall from horse - inquest

Guy Avis succumbed to his injuries after being thrown head first from his horse

A riding enthusiast suffered fatal injuries when he fell head first from his horse while trail hunting, an inquest as been told.

Guy Avis, 76, from Dean in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, died while taking part in the Heythrop Hunt foxhound event alongside 90 other riders near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, on 2 November 2024.

Gloucestershire Coroners' Court was told his horse Jasper refused to jump a fence, which led to Mr Avis falling forward over the horse's head and sustaining a fractured cervical spine.

Area coroner for Gloucestershire, Roland Wooderson, reached a conclusion of accidental death.

Mr Avis, who also performed with Giffords Circus, was known as 'the Singing Secretary' of the hunting club, a post he held for 28 years before retiring in 2019.

In a statement read to the court, Hannah Goffe said she overheard someone saying there had been an accident at about 14:00 GMT.

"I ran towards the jump and I saw Guy lying on the floor," said Mrs Goffe, who had known Mr Avis for 30 years.

"Guy was unresponsive and I started CPR. I was aware that someone was on the phone to 999."

Mr Avis received medical attention before his death was confirmed at 14:50 GMT.

'Completely devoted'

In a report, health and safety officer Beth Pritchard explained that Mr Avis was a volunteer with the hunt at the time of his death.

"He was an experienced horse rider and was riding his own horse, Jasper, using his own tack," she said.

Her report described how Mr Avis had laid a trail earlier that day but was riding as a hunt participant when he died.

In a tribute posted to social media at the time, the hunting club described Mr Avis as "one of the cornerstones" of the group.

"He was completely devoted to the Heythrop and looked forward to every single one of the very many days' hunting he had," it said.

"We will miss his humour, his positivity, his love of the hounds and of the country, his incredible knowledge - and his singing. We will never forget him."

Giffords Circus added it was "so saddened" to hear of Mr Avis's death.

"Guy worked with Giffords Circus over the years in many forms, here he is in 2019 in Xanadu while working alongside Nell in the ring," the post read.

"Our condolences to all his family and friends. With love from all at Giffords Circus."