A Massachusetts equestrian rider has tragically died following a freak accident during a routine ride with friends.
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Chloe Christina Smith, 25, was riding her show horse on Friday night when the animal reportedly hesitated while attempting a jump.
The sudden misstep threw Smith from the saddle before the horse collapsed on top of her.
The horse also died in the incident after suffering a fatal neck injury.
Equestrian Dies After Freak Riding Accident
Smith was airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester following the accident.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, she died seven hours later surrounded by her loved ones.
Her father, Jim Smith, said that horses had always been at the center of her life.
"Her life was horses," he said. "That was her love."
In a moving obituary, family members reflected on the passion that defined Smith's life.
"She died living her dreams. Most of us never get that chance, that special moment where life comes together, the wind is at your back, and you have everything you ever wanted right in front of you."
The obituary noted that Smith had recently purchased her own farm and horse barn, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
She was also steadily advancing in competitive riding while teaching and mentoring younger equestrians.
"Following an accident during a routine ride, she is gone long before her time," it added.
Family Remembers Lifelong Love of Horses
According to ItemLive, Smith's horse farm in Berlin boarded 18 horses and other animals while also providing rider training.
"[Chloe] loved it," her mother, Abbe, said. "She loved everything about horses."
"She said she wanted to live there the rest of her life, she wanted to get married there."
Her family said Smith's passion began during childhood summers spent at equestrian camp, where she quickly developed a lifelong connection with horses.
Beyond riding, Smith was also known for her writing ability. As a fifth-grade student at Swampscott Middle School, her poem Horses was published in the Daily Item.
She also maintained a strong interest in politics and public policy, frequently attending rallies and supporting causes she believed in.
Her obituary described the accident as a "cruel twist of fate."
Smith is survived by her parents, Abbe and James, her siblings Tristan, Hayley and Andrew, and a large extended family.
A funeral service is scheduled for June 15 at Clifton Lutheran Church.
