TEENAGER Jade South died when her horse somersaulted in a freak accident at a Pony Club event, an inquest heard.

The 15-year-old loved riding and after her death her family paid tribute to her, saying she had died doing what she loved best.

She lived with her parents, Paul and Claire, and her 12-year-old brother, on the outskirts of Linton, near Ross-on-Wye.

She died on October 30, 2008 when her horse Ozzie clipped a jump on a cross country course at Pauntley Court near Redmarley and landed on top of her causing crush injuries to her chest and heart.

Gloucestershire Deputy Coroner David Dooley was told that Jade had been taking part in a South Herefordshire and Ross Harriers Pony Club cross country rally, together with 21 other young riders.

She had jumped the course before, but this was the first time she had done so on the new horse, which she had only had for eight weeks.

However, prior to the fall, she had already jumped 16 other fences without difficulties.

Instructor Karen Slaughter, who has 35 years' experience of competing and instructing, was in charge of the group which included Jade.

"Jade was competent and confident and although her horse started off a bit skittish, he soon calmed down," she said.

"All the girls had jumped the fence before, although Jade had not jumped it on Ozzie.

"Just before the jump her horse hesitated for a moment. Jade pushed him on as she had been taught and his front leg hit the jump, lifting it up a little. He then somersaulted forward with Jade in the saddle as he landed on his back with her underneath him.

"I immediately ran forward and as I did so Ozzie struggled up and ran off. Jade was on her back and I could not feel a pulse.

"I shouted for someone to call an ambulance and another instructor started mouth to mouth resuscitation."

The air ambulance arrived, she said, and a doctor said that Jade had died.

Pathologist Dr John McCarthy said Jade had died from massive crush injuries to her chest causing her heart and spleen to rupture. She would have died immediately.

Health and safety inspector for Forest of Dean District Council, Keith Leslie, said he had inspected the fence and talked to Dougal Clapham, the owner of the course.

"There is no evidence to suggest any failure under the Health and Safety Act that contributed to the incident," he said.

A statement from South Herefordshire and Ross Harriers Pony Club Rally, said the club has always and continues to, take safety seriously and feels assured that in the circumstance of Jade South's death both the risk assessment carried out, prior to and during the cross country rally, and also the care Jade received immediately after the incident was appropriate.

As at the time of the incident, the Pony Club's thoughts are with the South family.