Iona Sclater, a young, talented up and coming event rider has passed away due to an accident whilst riding. Paramedics who attended the scene in Abington Pigotts desperately tried to save the 15-year-old Hertfordshire based rider before pronouncing her dead at the scene.
The accident happened at approximately 11.30am on Sunday morning (11/08/2019). It is not yet known what type of fall caused the fatal accident.
From heartfelt messages left on Iona’s Facebook page since the news was announced, it is clear to see she was admired and loved by many of her fellow equestrians. In one message a friend had congratulated Iona in June on her selection on the long-list for the Charles Owen Pony Squad, for the upcoming 2019 FEI European Championships for ponies, one of many recent successes.
British Eventing announced the news earlier today in the following statement:
British Eventing was devastated to receive the news that one of our young members and bright stars in the sport, Iona Sclater, sadly died in a riding accident at home on Sunday 11 August.
Long-listed for the 2017 and 2019 European Championships for Ponies, fifteen-year-old Iona was an exceptionally talented and dedicated young event rider. In just five seasons competing with British Eventing, Iona amassed 33 top ten results and represented the Eastern region four times at the Under 18 Regional Team Championships (2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).
Iona’s impressive results this season to secure her a place on the Pony European Championships long-list, include taking second place in the Pony Trial at Weston Park (1) and fourth in the Pony Trial at Lincolnshire Horse Trials in April, both on her pony Foxtown Cufflynx. Most recently Iona won the BE100u18 at Stratford Hills this June on Foxtown Cufflynx, and also claimed the win in the BE100 at Aston Le Walls (2) in May riding Machno Excalibur, along with the Open Novice Under 18 at Burnham Market International (1) in April with Janet Willis’ Watermill Rocks.
Our thoughts are with Iona’s friends and family, her Dad, Charles, Mum, Hetty, and sisters Lara and Alicia, at this very difficult time.
As with British Eventing, so are our thoughts with Iona’s family and friends.
Featured image: Iona Sclater, credit Adam Fanthorpe
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.