A mum-of-one died in a freak accident when the beloved horse she had raised since it was born kicked her in the head at a show, an inquest heard.

Avid equestrian Kay Sutcliffe, 38, died from severe injuries to her head in August 2007 after her two-year-old horse, Lady, who she was walking with at a show, got overexcited and kicked out.

The multi-coloured horse had kicked out at least once - striking tragic Kay's back - and as she attempted to keep control of the reins she had been kicked again in the head, causing her helmet to fly off.

Spectators and a St John's ambulance crew managed to revive Kay, who lay bleeding on the floor without a pulse, but she was later pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Roger Whittaker said: “Lady was a young horse. Kay had walked her horse and turned her around for examination by the judge.”

He said: “It seems that what happened could not have been foreseen - a tragic accident.”