First picture of soldier who died falling from horse at Royal Windsor Show

Tributes have been paid to a young soldier who died after performing a display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, 24, fell from her horse as she left the arena following a display of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery team.

King Charles said he is ‘greatly shocked’ by the tragic death.

Ms Sullivan’s father posted a photograph of his daughter on social media, accompanied by the words: ‘The honour. The service. They will never be forgotten.’

After an outpouring of tributes from the horseriding community, her mother wrote: ‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write this. She was doing what she loved.’

A Ministry of defense spokesman confirmed the death on Monday. They said: ‘It is with great sadness that we can confirm the death of Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who died on 15 May following a tragic accident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. She was 24 years old.

‘Our thoughts are with Lance Bombardier Sullivan’s family, friends, and Regiment at this incredibly difficult time.’

King Charles will be in touch with the family of the soldier to share his condolences, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The monarch was in the arena when the incident happened.

Despite the efforts of the medical crews, she died of her serious injuries, the police said.

The palace said in a statement: ‘While His Majesty and other Members of The Royal Family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place, they were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later.

‘The King was greatly shocked and saddened to have learned subsequently of the Troop member’s death, and will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences.

‘The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole Royal Family are with the victim’s loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.

The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, and Thames Valley Police has asked anyone with information or material to get in touch.

The horse, which fell, received medical attention and is uninjured, the Royal Windsor Horse Show said.

Royal Windsor Show, which runs until Sunday, continued today, although The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery display has been removed from the schedule.

Chief Superintendent Michael Loebenberg said: ‘We are appealing for anyone with information or material relating to the sad death of a military rider at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday to please get in touch.

‘Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and the wider community in the military and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at this extremely difficult time.

‘At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances.

‘We are working with the Ministry of defense, the defense Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organizers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.’

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