A soldier who died after falling from her horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show was named as Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, 24 – an “exceptional jockey” with an “infectious energy”, her commanding officer said.
Sullivan, part of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, fell at around 7pm on Friday after exiting the arena.
Despite being given immediate medical treatment she died at the scene of serious injuries, Thames Valley police said. Police said they were treating the death as unexplained but non-suspicious.
Sullivan was deployed at Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral in 2022 and the coronation of Charles and Camilla the following year.
Her commanding officer said in a tribute issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD): “Lance Bombardier (LBdr) Ciara Sullivan, ‘Sully’ to her friends, was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered.” She was praised as “an outstanding soldier and a role model to many she worked with.”
The “immensely professional soldier” was a skilled footballer and pushed herself in the gym while “quietly” bringing others along with her. “Her patient coaching has helped many mounted gunners within the unit fulfil their potential.”
John Healey, the defence secretary, described Sullivan as a “brilliant young soldier who served our nation with dedication. We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by her death.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson previously said the king was “greatly shocked and saddened” to learn of her death and would be in touch with her family to share his condolences.
“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.”