Teen's Olympic horse killed in Cotswolds road crash

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

A 17-year-old rider's horse was killed in a road collision near Malmesbury on April 2.

Tinks Walker, a 17-year-old A Level pupil, was riding 10-year-old Killossery Kaptain, known as Benny, near her family home close to Malmesbury on April 2 when a road collision occurred. Ms Walker said she had moved onto a grass verge before the impact and regained consciousness on the ground. Benny suffered injuries so severe that he was put down by a vet at the roadside.

The horse had previously been ridden by Laura Collett, a double Olympic gold medallist and European Eventing champion. British Eventing records show Benny competed with Ms Collett at four-star level. Ms Walker had recently begun competing with Benny as she pursued her own ambitions in eventing.

Describing the loss, Ms Walker said: 'He was the equine equivalent of an Olympian' and 'Benny was my best friend. He taught me things that no other horse ever had. He taught me that making mistakes was okay.'

Ms Walker's family is now pursuing legal action. According to correspondence reported by the Daily Mail, Wiltshire Police concluded there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the driver but instead offered her a safe and considerate driving course.

How it is being reported

• Teen devastated after 'best friend' Olympic horse killed in Cotswolds crashA teen rider has been left devastated after her "best friend", an Olympic horse, was killed in a Cotswolds horror crash.Oxford Mail · 15 Oct, 17:33
• Teen devastated after 'best friend' Olympic horse killed in Cotswolds crashA teen rider has been left devastated after her "best friend", an Olympic horse, was killed in a Cotswolds horror crash.Oxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 17:33

In this story: Tinks Walker · Laura Collett · Killossery Kaptain · Malmesbury · Cotswolds · Wiltshire Police

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