"A huge shock and utterly heartbreaking," said 36-year-old British equestrian star Georgie Campbell, who tragically died when her horse toppled over on her in a horrific fall during an event.

A British equestrian star died when her horse overturned on top of her in a horrific incident, according to an investigation.

Georgie Campbellis participating in a competition at the Bicton International Horse Races inDevonwhen tragedy occurs.

The 36-year-old athlete and her horse Global Quest were on the final day of the event when they failed to overcome a log obstacle.

Georgie was thrown from the horse, which then flipped over and landed face down on her before it ran away unharmed.

According to the investigation’s conclusion, nothing caused the horse to panic and it was just “a simple accident”.

Georgie’s husband, Jesse, also a professional steeplechase rider, said he was about a mile away when the tragedy happened.

He added: “I know it was a very bad fall.”

Jesse said Global Quest, who weighed in at 610kg and stood 16.3 hands tall, was an experienced horse and they put in a “fantastic” performance over the first four hurdles.

He toldCourtDevon death investigation: “There was nothing that discouraged him. He had a perfect cross-country record.”

According to the investigation’s conclusion, Georgie was wearing a helmet and back protector while riding a horse.

Experts said the horse tried to take another step at the water obstacle but hit its chest and front legs on a log blocking it.

This caused Georgie to be knocked to the ground and the Global Quest’s inertia caused him to spin and fall on top of her.

A spinning fall occurs when a horse violently impacts a hard fence with its front legs – causing the forward momentum to suddenly change into a spinning motion, resulting in the horse flipping mid-air and landing on its back.

Georgie’s cause of death was determined to be subarachnoid hemorrhage at the base of the brain – bleeding in the brain.

According to the investigation results, she suffered severe bleeding in the head and multiple broken ribs, and died at the scene after medical staff quickly arrived at her side.

Devon coroner Deborah Archer was told the victim quickly lost consciousness and it was “a sudden death”.

The investigating agency concluded it was an accidental death, saying: “This is an extremely tragic accident of a 36-year-old woman who was loved by everyone while participating in the sport she loved.”

Georgie began her equestrian career as a senior performer before moving into triathlon equestrianism.

As a teenager, she was shortlisted for the England youth team and made her debut at five-star level in 2009.

Georgie has represented Great Britain on Nations Cup teams many times.

In 2010, she won the award for highest-ranked under-25 rider at the British Open in Gatcombe.

In an emotional tribute, her husband Jesse previously described Georgie as “a strong, beautiful, extraordinary woman who loved everything and everyone”.

He said that his wife always finds “joy and love” in every situation.

Jesse added: “She will be equally happy enjoying an afternoon tea in Greggs on the way home from training as she will be teaching students in the pouring rain or riding over obstacles on the world’s biggest racetracks.”

“It’s wonderful to be with you and feel this energy.”

“I’m so proud to be your husband. Rest in peace, my beautiful girl.”

British Eventing called Georgie’s death a “fatal accident” and confirmed at the time that the horse Global Quest was not injured in the fall.