EQUESTRIAN RIDER DIED AFTER FALLING FROM HER HORSE IN 'FREAK ACCIDENT' DURING ENDURANCE EVENT
A 'stalwart' equestrian rider died after falling from her horse during an endurance event, in what her friends have described as a 'freak accident'.
Geraldine White, 76, suffered a bad fall from her horse Emeer while taking part in a long-distance ride in Moreton, Dorset on October 25.
The estate agent was thrown over the horse's shoulder and sustained devastating injuries after falling on the ground.
Friends described it as a 'freak accident', with the horse slipping and falling to its knees on a remote bridleway.
A fellow competitor attended to the horse rider before an ambulance arrived, and Mrs White was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.
Sadly, she died from her injuries five days later.
The endurance ride saw 120 competitors traverse forestry tracks on the outskirts of Dorchester.
An outpour of touching tributes have been released in honour of Mrs White, who has been described as 'one of the most generous people and an endurance stalwart'.
Wessex Endurance GP Facebook page issued a statement on behalf of Geraldine's 'devastated' husband, Roger, as well as her close friends, Yvette and Heather.
'She was airlifted to Southampton but despite the best efforts of the superb medical team, she never regained consciousness,' it read.
'Please join us in remembering this amazing lady who has been a stalwart of endurance for a very long time, firstly with the EHPS and subsequently with Endurance GB.'
Another friend said they would 'miss her desperately', but added that she and Mrs White's loved ones found consolation that the horse rider died doing what she loved.
Heather Giles, chair of the Dorset Long Distance Walking Association, said: 'Geraldine was one of the most generous people I have ever met.
'Always cheerful, always upbeat and very competitive, whether it was in her day job as an estate agent, an endurance rider or on a challenge walk.
'She was integral to my life and I will miss her desperately.'
'The only consolation to her husband, Roger, and her close friends, is that she died doing something she was passionate about, on a glorious autumn day, riding with an old friend.'
Her co-workers at Greenslade Taylor Hunt also honoured the beloved equestrian, praising her 'kind-hearted nature.'
A spokesperon said: 'It is with enormous sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our esteemed and much-loved colleague Geraldine White, assistant manager at our Chard residential office.
'Geraldine was both a highly valued and loyal member of our firm, who joined Greenslade Hunt in 1993.
'Over the years, she became a familiar and trusted face in the Chard area, overseeing the sale of hundreds of local properties.
'Her professionalism, energy, and commitment were second to none, and she continued to perform at the very top of her game right up to the present day.'
'She was known for her competitive spirit, professionalism, and kind-hearted nature,' they added.
'Geraldine will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Our thoughts are with her family, colleagues and friends at this very difficult time.'
Tributes were also paid to Mrs White on social media, where she was described as 'a loss to the Endurance world'.
'Condolences to all who knew her, a loss to the Endurance world. At least she went doing what she loved,' Greg Bell wrote.
Karen Whittington added: '[She was] such an amazing lady, one of the first Wessex members I met back in the 90s who encouraged me to run Ride the Wight.
'She will be missed.'
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