Eventing rider Nicolle Villers-Amatt has died in a cross country schooling accident at Morven Park in the USA
The accident occurred on Tuesday 8th October 2019 at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia, where a horse trials event had been held the previous weekend, at a schooling day
Morven Park and USEA issued the following statement
“Nicolle Villers-Amatt suffered a fall while jumping a log fence at the Preliminary level. The rider received immediate medical attention and was transported to a local hospital. The horse suffered superficial injuries.
Villers-Amatt, age 40, has been eventing since the 1990s. She competed successfully through the Advanced level and competed the great Theodore O’Connor at the beginning of his career at the Preliminary and CCI* (now CCI2*-L) level.
“It is with great sadness that me and my daughter lost my wife and mother yesterday due to a catastrophic riding accident,” said Neil Amatt in a statement on Facebook. “Nicolle died doing what she loved. It was quick and painless, and she was not alone – I thank Katie MacSwain for being with her. She was the best mother and wife any man could ask for.”
Villerse-Amatt lived in Hamilton, Virginia with her husband Neil and 2-year-old daughter Zara. She ran Five Point Performance Horses, a business developing young event horses and fox hunters.
“Details of Nicolle’s memorial service we will be announced at a later date. Please keep her mother and our daughter in your prayers,” concluded Amatt.
“The staff and Trustees of Morven Park are devastated to hear of the accident that occurred on course today,” said Sheryl Williams, Morven Park’s Executive Director. “We join everyone in the equestrian community in sending our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the rider involved.”
Six eventing riders have now been killed in accidents this year;
Thaïs Méheust (FRA) – September 2019
Iona Sclater (GBR) – August 2019
Jennifer Chapin (USA) – August 2019
Clare Bedford (GBR) – July 2019
Ashley Stoute (USA) – July 2019
On October 4th 2019 the Coroner's Court of New South Wales handed down 31 consolidated recommendations following the inquest into the eventing deaths of Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn Fischer in Australia in 2016
