An adolescent rising-star equestrian died Sunday after the horse she was riding fell on her head.
Hannah Serfass, 15, was riding a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding during an equitation class at Fox Lea Farms in Sarasota, Florida, when the horse tripped into a rotational fall, according to a release from the United States Equestrian Federation. The horse landed on top of her head.
Serfass was transported to Sarasota Memorial hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The deceased was in the middle of a hunter/jumper competition course when the accident occurred. The horse planted its left hoof and leaned down “significantly,” according to the Sarasota Herald Tribune. “This action caused the rider to then topple forward and off the horse in the same direction and onto the ground. The horse then continued to fall in the same direction falling over and onto the rider’s head on the ground,” the outlet continued, citing a police report.
Serfass hailed from Webster, Florida, and was considered a highly talented up-and-coming rider, according to the press release. “She was known for her passion for horses, her natural ability, and her work ethic,” the USEF stated.
USEF noted it will be reviewing the accident thoroughly in order to mitigate future risk and to increase safety within the sport. The horse was unharmed. (RELATED: Baby Seal Repeatedly Bites Actress Loulou Taylor In Freak Attack In South Africa)
Fox Lea Farms also shared a post to its Facebook page about the incident, offering “sincere condolences to the family, trainer, friends , & the whole equestrian community.”