Investigations into the death of a soldier who suffered fatal injuries at the Royal Windsor Horse Show could take many months to complete after a coroner formally opened and adjourned an inquest into her death.
In England and Wales, an inquest is an independent judicial investigation led by a coroner to establish who has died, and when, where and how the death occurred. It is not a criminal trial and does not determine civil or criminal liability, but seeks to establish the facts surrounding a death, particularly where the circumstances are sudden, unexplained or occur in state care or at work.
At a hearing on Wednesday, Berkshire Area Coroner Hannah Godfrey said investigations being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Safety Authority must be completed before the inquest can proceed.
The coroner said those investigations could take longer than 18 months, meaning the full inquest is unlikely to resume for some time.
Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, 24, of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, died after falling from her horse shortly after 7pm on 15 May, having just left the arena at Windsor Castle during the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
A post-mortem examination found the provisional cause of death to be chest injuries.
Opening the inquest, the coroner extended her condolences to Lance Bombardier Sullivan’s family and friends, describing her death as a tragic loss.
The Ministry of Defence previously said Sullivan, from Crawley, West Sussex, joined the Army at the age of 18. After completing training at the Army Training Centre Pirbright, she joined the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in 2021.
Her commanding officer paid tribute following her death, describing her as “an immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey”.
They added that she was “a bright light in any room she entered” and a “fearless and gifted horsewoman” who was affectionately known as “Sully” by her friends and colleagues.
The incident occurred during the Royal Windsor Horse Show, one of the Royal Family’s most closely associated annual equestrian events. King Charles III and other members of the Royal Family were present in the arena when the accident happened, with Buckingham Palace later confirming they had witnessed the incident.
The inquest has been adjourned until the Health and Safety Executive and Defence Safety Authority have completed their investigations, after which a date for a full hearing will be set.
