An aspiring young jockey with a ‘bright future’ in the sport has died in a horse riding accident at her home.

Tributes have poured in for Schoolgirl Iona Sclater, 15, who passed away on Sunday August 11.

The teenager, understood to be from Royston, Hertfordshire, was described by British Eventing as an ‘exceptionally talented and dedicated young event rider’.

Iona leaves behind her father Charles, mother Hetty, who is thought to be a former eventing rider, and sisters Lara and Alicia.

She had a number of awards under her belt and most recently won the BE100u18 – a British Eventing competition for under 18s – at Stratford Hills, Colchester, in June.

Writing online five days ago, Iona posted a photo of herself with horse ‘Swatchy’ at Frickley Park Horse Trials in South Yorkshire.

She wrote: ‘Find me someone who looks at me the way Swatchy does’.

Friends paid heart-felt tributes to their ‘talented and smiling’ pal online.

One wrote: ‘I had the pleasure of knowing Iona through her family and the Pony Club she was so much fun always smiling.’

Another wrote: ‘Sincere condolences to Iona’s family and friends. Such a tragic loss of a beautiful girl with her life in front of her. RIP Iona your friends will carry you with them in Poland this week.’

One said: ‘Oh my dear god!! I can’t believe what I’m reading! Iona Sclater you were the most delightful, talented and personable young lady I know with a very bright future ahead of you. I’m absolutely devastated’.

The accident happened at Abington Pigotts in Cambridgeshire at around 11.30am on Sunday.

It is understood Iona became injured after falling off a horse and could not be rescued despite the best efforts from emergency services rapid response team.

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘An ambulance, two Hazardous Area Response Team Vehicles, a rapid response vehicle and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to a Abington Pigotts shortly after 11.30am on Sunday, following reports of a child injured in a fall from a horse. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, the girl died at the scene.’

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