A 24-year-old soldier who died at the Royal Windsor Horse Show has been described as a “bright light” in tributes paid to her.
Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, part of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, fell from her horse after exiting the arena at around 7pm on Friday.
Despite being given immediate medical treatment, she sustained serious injuries and died at the scene, Thames Valley Police said.
Her commanding officer said LBdr Sullivan, known as “Sully” to her friends, was “an immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey” and “a bright light in any room she entered”.
“She approached every day within the troop with an infectious energy – the kind that lifted those around her without effort or intention – and was unfailingly present for her comrades in both the small moments and the hard ones,” the officer added in a statement issued by the Military of Defence (MoD).
“An outstanding soldier and a role model to many she worked with. She was a fearless and gifted horsewoman, having ridden since childhood and having competed in the showjumping ring before joining the regiment; it was this natural courage that made her always the first to volunteer to ride the most demanding of horses.”
She was also described as a skilled footballer and a natural leader and instructor.
Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan fell from her horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show (Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright/PA)
Lieutenant General Mike Elviss added: “A fine soldier, she died doing a job she loved, surrounded by people who held her in the highest regard. A dedicated, committed and highly respected junior commander; she will be sorely missed.
“The Royal Regiment of Artillery and the wider British Army is a lesser place without her.”
LBdr Sullivan joined the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, near Woking, Surrey, in November 2020 before joining the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in June 2021.
She had been involved in multiple ceremonial operations, taking part in royal gun salutes in Hyde Park and Green Park, and working on the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla the following year.
LBdr Sullivan had recently qualified as an advanced regimental riding instructor and enjoyed training military horses, the MoD added. She offered riding lessons to the mounted gunners in her sub-section and was often nominated to instruct officers in the King’s Troop.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that King Charles will be in touch with the family of the victim to share his condolences.
The King, who attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show, has shared his condolences (PA)
The King attended the event on Saturday. He was photographed wearing a tweed jacket, cream trousers and tinted sunglasses at the show.
In a statement, they said: “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.
“The King was greatly shocked and saddened to have learned subsequently of the troop member’s death, and will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences.
“The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole royal family are with the victim’s loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.”
Defence secretary John Healey said: “Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan was a brilliant young soldier who served our nation with dedication. We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by her death.
“My thoughts are with Ciara’s family, loved ones and colleagues at this devastating time.”
Thames Valley Police said it was treating the death as unexplained but non-suspicious.
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