New Zealand equestrian Tom Gadsby has been killed while competing in the U.K. at a horse riding event. The 25-year-old rider fell off his horse at the Somerford Park International Horse Trials in Cheshire on Sunday.

Little information has been released regarding Mr Gadsby’s death. What is known is that he was competing in a 1 star event, a medium level event, when his horse fell at a fence.

“A rider suffered fatal injury at Somerford Park International Horse Trials today. No further information will be released until the next of kin have been informed,” Somerford Park said in a statement.

“This is a tragic day for our sport and thoughts of everyone in the New Zealand equestrian community are with the rider’s family at this terrible time,” Equestrian New Zealand chief executive Jim Ellis said in a statement obtained by 3 News.

Mr Ellis also thanked colleagues at British Eventing, their officials, and the medical staff who did “everything possible” for the rider after his tragic fall.

“Tom was a talented showjumper and eventer who was in Europe to fulfil his dream of competing as a professional event rider – a dream he achieved but which has been tragically cut short.”

He added that Mr Gadsby died in a “rotational fall,” wherein both he and his horse fell when they tripped over a fence.

“He was an experienced rider [who] had moved over to the UK within the last two years to compete and further his eventing career,” Mr Ellis explained.

Tributes have poured in on Twitter and on the tragic equestrian’s Facebook page.

Aussie equestrian Nicholas J Fyffe wrote, “My life was swiftly put into perspective upon hearing of the tragic loss of Tom Gadsby. My thoughts go out to his family having lost him s o young. Such devastating news for the equestrian community worldwide. May he rest in peace.”

Fellow Kiwi rider Ana Rattray also added, “Goodbye Tom ....funny, caring and magic to be around ...always made me laugh and no matter what was happening your wit and charisma carried you through with style. The world was a better with you in it. Travel safe my friend.”

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