The husband of a Scots mum who died in a freak horse riding accident has said their family are 'broken'.
Kerry Donoghue, 42, from Glasgow, passed away during the cross-country event in Penrith, Cumbria on Saturday. The experienced equestrian had been riding Carneyhaugh Rua at the Penrith Horse Trials when she suffered a fatal fall.
Emergency treatment at scene
Emergency medics provided treatment for the mum-of-two at the scene but she could not be saved.
Her husband Matthew Donoghue paid an emotional tribute online. He said: 'My amazing wife Kerry passed away on Saturday the 18th of July due to a tragic horse riding accident.
'No words can describe how we are feeling at the moment we are totally broken and Kerry will forever be in our thoughts and hearts.
'If you love someone tell them you love them kiss them hug them tell them how you feel. Life for us will never be the same again. To everyone who's messaged and for all the support my family and I have received we will be eternally grateful.'
Previous podcast comments
The tragedy came after the former NHS nurse appeared on the Equestrian Performance Mindset podcast in May where she said she admitted she was 'this close to quitting' after witnessing a horse crush another rider.
She said: 'You're thinking to yourself, 'Goodness, is this all worth it? Do you really want to do this? Do you really want to give it a go?''
Kerry also noted that she was more scared of suffering life-changing injuries rather than dying. She added: 'I was really afraid of getting hurt, but hurt in a very specific way. I was afraid of how some people have had to live their lives, and the challenges that come with that.'
Kerry continued competing and even celebrated finishing her first British Eventing Novice competition with Carneyhaugh Rua - whom she nicknamed 'Roly Poly'.
Fundraising for family
Loved ones have raised more than £17,000 with a GoFundMe page to her family with unexpected costs.
Friend David Smith said: 'One of my best friends lost her life in a tragic horse accident during a show. Kerry Donoghue who was so loved by her Husband Mathew, Children - Cara (13) & Josh (20) and of course the rest of her family and friends.
'Kerry was a passionate advanced nurse practitioner and always cared for others throughout her career. I am raising funds to help the family with this unexpected tragedy to help support them. Thank you.'
