Tragic accident: Joint-master of the Cottesmore Hunt Gemma McCormick (pictured) died after her horse landed on top of her while she was out riding
A joint-master of a hunt was tragically killed after her horse landed on top of her while she was out riding, an inquest heard.
Retired helicopter pilot Gemma McCormick, 44, slipped sideways off her horse as she jumped a rail.
She died of 'unsurvivable' head injuries after the animal then toppled onto her in the fall on November 4 last year.
An inquest into her death heard how Miss McCormick was joint-master of the Cottesmore Hunt and was out riding with other members in Milton Park, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, when tragedy struck.
In a statement read out at the hearing at Huntingdon Registry Office, member of the hunt George Highton said: 'At about 2pm and I was with Gemma taking part in the Fitzwilliam (Milton) Hunt.
'We had stopped in a field and the master indicated us to follow, and jumped a rail.
'I was behind Gemma. He took the jump and then she started to slip sideways off the horse. She was holding onto the safety harness or the reins - I am not sure which.'
Mr Highton said Miss McCormick fell from the horse, which then landed on top of her.
He said she was lying on her back on the ground and was unresponsive when he tried to talk to her.
The inquest heard Miss McCormick was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge but nothing could be done to save her.
In a statement, also read by coroner David Heming, Dr Xinying Chen said: 'A CT scan sadly showed a devastating injury on the brain.
'The neurological signs indicated intervention would be futile. The injuries were unsurvivable.'
Miss McCormick, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, died at hospital two days after the accident on November 6.
Following her death, Nick Wright, chairman of Cottesmore Hunt, spoke of the 'huge sadness' felt by members and supporters of the hunt.
He said: 'Gems was a wonderful joint-master and a generous supporter of the Cottesmore Hunt.
'We were lucky to have her as a master from 2012 - she was always immaculately turned out and quietly and efficiently fulfilled her role.
Popular huntswoman: An inquest into her death heard how Miss McCormick (pictured) was joint-master of the Cottesmore Hunt and was out riding with members in Milton Park, near Peterborough, when tragedy struck
'She was a pleasure to go hunting with.
'Gems helped the Cottesmore through a very difficult period in her typically understated way and the hunt rightly acknowledged this at our 2014 AGM.
'We will always be grateful for the huge contribution she made. We have all lost a friend and a true and genuine supporter of our hunt.'
Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Mr Heming said: 'I express my condolences to the family members.
'It is clear she had a passion for this sport, but sadly it is a sport which has inherent dangers.'
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