NewsUK NewsAccidentsExperienced equestrian Kerry Donoghue, 42, suffered a fall at the Penrith Horse Trials in Cumbria and could not be saved despite medics treating her at the scene14:59, 24 Jul 2026Updated 15:00, 24 Jul 2026The husband of a woman who tragically died in a freak horse riding accident says their family have been left "broken".‌Experienced equestrian Kerry Donoghue suffered a fatal fall during the cross-country event in Penrith, Cumbria on Saturday.‌The 42-year-old, from Glasgow, had been riding Carneyhaugh Rua at the Penrith Horse Trials when the horror unfolded.‌Emergency medics treated the mum-of-two at the scene but she sadly succumbed to her injuries and could not be saved.Her husband Matthew Donoghue said in an emotional tribute online that his "amazing wife" Kerry had died on Saturday, July 18, due to a "tragic horse riding accident."He added: "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."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, reports the Daily Record.‌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 said 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 - who she nicknamed 'Roly Poly'.A GoFundMe page launched to support Kerry's family with unexpected costs has surpassed £19,000 in donations.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) and Josh (20) and of course the rest of her family and friends.Article continues below"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."To donate to Kerry's GoFundMe, visit the page here.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌David P. SmithNHSHorsesAccidents