THE SOLDIER who tragically lost her life during a display at the Royal Windsor Horse Show has been named.
Royal Horse Artillery’s Ciara Sullivan died after suffering serious injuries when she fell as she exited the arena in Windsor, Berkshire, on Friday.
Ciara Sullivan tragically died when she fell from her horse as she exited Royal Windsor Horse ShowCredit: Supplied
The King and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present at the time of the tragedyCredit: X
Medics immediately leapt into action to save the military rider but she passed away at the scene.
The King and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present at the time of the tragedy but “were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later”, Buckingham Palace said.
A spokesman added that His Majesty was “greatly shocked and saddened” and that he “will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences”.
Tributes have now poured in for Gunner Ciara, of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, after she died at the scene.
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King Charles stands as members of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery take part in a Royal salute at the Royal Windsor Horse ShowCredit: PA
The shocking incident took place on FridayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Ciara’s Commanding Officer said in a deeply moving tribute: “Lance Bombardier 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.
“An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, 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.
“An outstanding soldier and a role model to many she worked with.
“She was 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 the ride the most demanding of horses.
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“Beyond her equestrian talent, she was a soldier of remarkable breadth.
“A skilled footballer, a dedicated presence in the gym who pushed herself and quietly brought others along with her, and someone who found cause to celebrate the smallest daily victories in those she served with.
“A natural leader and instructor, she won the respect of all who had the privilege of working with her, and her patient coaching has helped many Mounted Gunners within the Unit fulfil their potential.
“The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery has lost not only an accomplished soldier and horsewoman, but the kind of person who made the Regiment, and the world, a better place simply by being part of it.
“The thoughts of every member of The Troop and The Gunners are with her family at this tragic time.”
Defence Secretary John Healey added : “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.”
Friend Eleanor Lucas Bell shared a post on Facebook, in which she praised her as the “very pinnacle of equestrianism”.
She wrote: “Today our sport lost one of its very best.
“The soldier who tragically lost her life at Royal Windsor Horse Show was someone known to us personally.
“She had ridden my boys, and I saw first hand the incredible talent, horsemanship and dedication she possessed.
“She was the very pinnacle of equestrianism — someone I looked up to enormously as both a rider and a role model.
“In truth, watching her do what she did with such skill, confidence and professionalism was part of what inspired me to consider joining myself. I was completely in awe of her.
“To lose her life simply doing the job she did every single day is a heartbreaking reminder of just how dangerous and unforgiving equestrian sport can be.
“No matter the experience, talent or preparation, we work alongside powerful animals and accept risks every time we sit in the saddle.
“Those within the horse world understand that reality all too well, but moments like this bring it into painfully sharp focus.”
Eleanor continued: “In a strange twist of fate, we are at Windsor ourselves today.
“We will be taking a quiet moment to remember her and to think of all those who loved her — both her family by blood and her Military family.
“Her loss will be felt deeply by so many, which says everything about the beautiful soul she was. Stand down Gunner.”
Ciara‘s pal Laura Blandford added: “She was an incredible person who made people’s lives better simply by being her!”
Ciara was once pictured smiling alongside Hollywood star Tom Cruise, 63, when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
A Palace spokesperson 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.”
Jo Peck, HPower event director, also offered her condolences.
She said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the soldier who sadly died yesterday.
TVP Chief Superintendent Michael Loebenberg said a multi- agency investigation into the incident is under way.
He said: “We are appealing for anyone with information or material relating to the sad death of a military rider at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday to please get in touch.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and the wider community in the military and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at this extremely difficult time.
“At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances.
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“We are working with the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.”
Thames Valley Police (TVP) said it is treating the death as unexplained but non-suspicious.
A SOLDIER who died at the Royal Windsor Horse Show was “doing what she loved”, her heartbroken mother has said.
Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on Friday.
Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on FridayCredit: Facbook..
‘Incredible’ Ciara was ‘doing what she loved’, her heartbroken mother has said
The King and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present at the time but were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later, Buckingham Palace said.
A spokesman added His Majesty was “greatly shocked and saddened” and would be in touch with the family to offer personal condolences.
Tributes have now poured in for Lance Bombardier Sullivan, 24, of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, following her death in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Commenting in a moving Facebook post about Ciara, her devastated mum, Wendy, wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write this. She was doing what she loved.”
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A friend, Eleanor Lucas Bell, shared the original post, in which she praised her skill and professionalism with horses.
She wrote: “Today our sport lost one of its very best. The soldier who tragically lost her life was known to us personally.
“I saw first hand her incredible talent, horsemanship and dedication.
“She was the very pinnacle of equestrianism — someone I looked up to enormously as both a rider and a role model.
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King Charles pictured at the Royal Windsor Horse ShowCredit: PA
Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee yearCredit: Facbook..
“In truth, watching her do what she did with such skill, confidence and professionalism was part of what inspired me to consider joining myself. I was completely in awe of her. To lose her life simply doing the job she did every single day is a heartbreaking reminder of just how dangerous and unforgiving equestrian sport can be.”
Eleanor continued: “In a strange twist of fate, we are at Windsor ourselves today.
“We will take a quiet moment to remember her.”
Another pal, Laura Blandford, added: “She was an incredible person who made people’s lives better simply by being her.”
Her commanding officer said: “Lance Bombardier 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. An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she had an infectious energy.
“She was the kind of person who made the regiment, and world, a better place simply by being part of it.”
Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute, describing Ciara as a dedicated and highly respected soldier whose death had shocked the Army and wider defence community.
In 2022, Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Her death was being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious, Thames Valley Police said.
A SOLDIER who died at the Royal Windsor Horse Show was “doing what she loved”, her heartbroken mother has said.
Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on Friday.
Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on FridayCredit: Facbook..
‘Incredible’ Ciara was ‘doing what she loved’, her heartbroken mother has said
The King and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present at the time but were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later, Buckingham Palace said.
A spokesman added His Majesty was “greatly shocked and saddened” and would be in touch with the family to offer personal condolences.
Tributes have now poured in for Lance Bombardier Sullivan, 24, of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, following her death in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Commenting in a moving Facebook post about Ciara, her devastated mum, Wendy, wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write this. She was doing what she loved.”
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A friend, Eleanor Lucas Bell, shared the original post, in which she praised her skill and professionalism with horses.
She wrote: “Today our sport lost one of its very best. The soldier who tragically lost her life was known to us personally.
“I saw first hand her incredible talent, horsemanship and dedication.
“She was the very pinnacle of equestrianism — someone I looked up to enormously as both a rider and a role model.
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King Charles pictured at the Royal Windsor Horse ShowCredit: PA
Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee yearCredit: Facbook..
“In truth, watching her do what she did with such skill, confidence and professionalism was part of what inspired me to consider joining myself. I was completely in awe of her. To lose her life simply doing the job she did every single day is a heartbreaking reminder of just how dangerous and unforgiving equestrian sport can be.”
Eleanor continued: “In a strange twist of fate, we are at Windsor ourselves today.
“We will take a quiet moment to remember her.”
Another pal, Laura Blandford, added: “She was an incredible person who made people’s lives better simply by being her.”
Her commanding officer said: “Lance Bombardier 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. An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she had an infectious energy.
“She was the kind of person who made the regiment, and world, a better place simply by being part of it.”
Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute, describing Ciara as a dedicated and highly respected soldier whose death had shocked the Army and wider defence community.
In 2022, Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Her death was being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious, Thames Valley Police said.