A close friend of a woman who died 47 days after being kicked by a horse has said a body protector could have saved her life. Ewa Larsson, 59, was dragged and kicked by a cob called Davy while leading him on a road in Ripple, near Deal, Kent, on August 27, 2025.
The hotel manager and mother-of-two had been on a paid hack with instructor Sally Deverill from Cornilo Riding. After falling from the saddle, she attempted to lead Davy in-hand, but the horse was spooked by two dogs running from a garden. Ms Larsson held the reins and was dragged before being kicked or trampled, according to paramedics.
Ms Larsson, from Canterbury, was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London with severe abdominal bleeding. Despite multiple surgeries, she developed a fungal infection and went into multi-organ failure, dying on October 13. The inquest recorded a verdict of misadventure.
Her friend Nick Pearce said: 'I'm in the belief that this would have saved her life. She would sustain many injuries, but this would not have been so catastrophic on the liver.' He noted that Ms Larsson's 11-year-old granddaughter in Sweden must wear a body protector when riding. Cornilo's rules required body protectors only when jumping, and legislation does not mandate them for riding school clients.
Mr Pearce and others are calling for a law to require novice riders to wear body protectors at all times. He described Ms Larsson as a 'very helpful, very generous person' who worked over 80 hours a week. The inquest heard that Davy had a history of back problems, but the riding school's licence was under review by Dover District Council.
