Horse show death investigations could take months

Investigations into the death of a soldier who fell from her horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show are likely to take months, an inquest opening heard.

Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, 24, who was part of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, fell shortly after 19:00 BST on 15 May after leaving the arena at Windsor Castle.

Hannah Godfrey, Berkshire's area coroner, adjourned the inquest so work by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and on the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) behalf can be completed.

Sullivan's commanding officer said she was "a bright light in any room she entered" and "an immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey".

Godfrey said a post-mortem examination following Sullivan's death gave a provisional cause of death as chest injuries.

She said the investigations by the HSE and the Defence Safety Authority could potentially take longer than 18 months to complete.

The coroner extended her condolences to Sullivan's friends and family for the "tragic loss of her life".

Sullivan, from Crawley, West Sussex, joined the army aged 18, the MoD said in May.

Her career started at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, Surrey, before joining the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in 2021.

Her commanding officer described Sullivan - known as "Sully" to her friends - as a "fearless and gifted horsewoman".

She "was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered", they said.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously said King Charles III and other members of the royal family had been present at the arena at the time the incident took place.