SUNDRE – Sundre RCMP continue to investigate following the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman who over the Thanksgiving long weekend was thrown from a horse at Bighorn Falls on the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch west of Sundre.
“The sudden death at Ya Ha Tinda remains under investigation and we are currently still following up with eye witnesses,” Cpl. Courtney Harding, the Sundre RCMP detachment’s acting commander, told the Albertan.
Sundre RCMP, EMS, fire and conservation officers were dispatched at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 to an emergency SOS notification, said Harding.
It was one of 16 calls for service – and the only one involving a fatality – that the Sundre RCMP received throughout the long weekend.
“Multiple complainants and witnesses reported a 50-year-old female horseback rider from Lacombe County had fallen off a 50-metre cliff at Bighorn Falls, Ya Ha Tinda Ranch,” Harding wrote by email in providing a breakdown of the total calls for service received from Friday, Oct. 11 to Monday, Oct. 14.
“Witnesses on scene had attempted to perform first aid and CPR,” said Harding.
“However, the female horseback rider had tragically succumbed from her injuries,” said the corporal, adding the ensuing investigation “revealed the horse had been spooked, which resulted in the rider being thrown from the horse.”
In offering additional context to follow-up questions, the corporal could not immediately confirm what might have startled the steed.
“I cannot speak to what exactly caused the horse to spook at this time,” she said.
However, the woman “was an experienced horse rider, by all accounts.”
Calling the death an “incredibly tragic” incident, Harding expressed condolences to the woman’s family and friends.
“We are thankful for all witnesses who assisted the female and first responders on Saturday evening,” she said, adding assistance is available to anyone who might be in need.
“Any person impacted by this event are welcome to reach out to Sundre RCMP if they are in need of supports at this time.”
The woman was identified as Kerry Carver originally of Carlisle, United Kingdom in a heartfelt tribute posted on social media by Horse in Hand Ranch Ltd., which provides equestrian services and boarding and employed Carver.
“It’s difficult for us to find the words to honour someone that touched the lives of so many,” reads part of the statement dated Tuesday, Oct. 15.
“We have suddenly lost our crew lead, redneck carpenter, skilled horsewoman, and most importantly friend,” it continues, adding Ya Ha Tinda was the place Carver most loved to go horseback riding.
“She played a massive role in building our community to what it is today. She leaves behind many great memories, her shared horse knowledge, barn wood inventions around the ranch and will be sorely missed in so many ways.”
The company also announced plans to host a memorial at its ranch on Sunday, Nov. 17 with a specific time to be confirmed at a later date.
In the post shared by Horse in Hand Ranch, which as of late on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 16 had garnered 565 reactions and almost 120 comments, Carver’s fondness for horses was emphasized in a quote attributed to her having once said, “I’ve spent most of my life riding horses. The rest I’ve just wasted.”
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