Kerry Donoghue, a 42-year-old mother of two from Glasgow, died after falling from her horse at a cross-country event in Penrith, Cumbria, on Saturday. The experienced equestrian was riding Carneyhaugh Rua at the Penrith Horse Trials when the fatal fall occurred. Despite medics' efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Husband's emotional tribute
Matthew Donoghue paid tribute to his wife online, saying: "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." He added: "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."
Former nurse's podcast reflections
Kerry, a former NHS nurse, appeared on the Equestrian Performance Mindset podcast in May. She admitted she was "this close to quitting" after witnessing a horse crush another rider, saying: "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?'" She also said she was more scared of life-changing injuries than dying: "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."
Fundraising for family
A GoFundMe page set up by friend David Smith has raised more than £17,000 to help the family with unexpected costs. Smith wrote: "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."
