A rising 15-year-old equestrian star has died after a horse landed on her head during a tragic accident at a jumping event.
Hannah Serfass, from Florida, US, was competing in a jumping event at Fox Lea Farms in Venice, Florida on April 30 when her 12-year-old horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall.
The experienced horse rider was halfway through the course when the horse suddenly stumbled after the sixth jump on the course. Hannah then toppled forward, falling and hit the ground.
As the horse continued to fall, the animal fell on Hannah's head leaving her with fatal injuries.
Officials ran over to assist the teenager and performed emergency CPR while they waited for an ambulance.
She was rushed to Sarasota Memorial where she was tragically pronounced dead.
The horse was uninjured in the accident.
Fox Lea Farms issued a statement on Facebook, writing: “Out of respect to the family, no information will be shared at this time. We send our sincere condolences to the family, trainer, friends, & the whole equestrian community. We are all heartbroken.”
The United States Equestrian Federation said Hannah was "known for her passion for horses, her natural ability, and her work ethic."
The talented teen recently won a talent search for show jumping earlier this year, and won several medals at the World Equestrian Centre.
Hannah was considered a rising figure in the equestrian world, according to a March magazine profile.
“I just got into it and never wanted to stop,” Hannah told World Equestrian Centre. “And now, I just want to learn everything I can about it. I want to keep going with it.”
The US Equestrian Federation said in a statement that it "takes every accident very seriously" and that it would review the accident "to learn what we can do to minimize risk and increase safety in equestrian sport."
Jeanette McDonald, a licensed judge with the United States Equestrian Foundation, called the accident "scary" but admitted she has seen these types of incidents before.
She told Fox35: "It’s scary" but "it doesn’t always end tragically. We go through our checklist to keep ourselves as safe as we can, and then we have to live."
Ms McDonald said horse jumping takes a lot of practice as the rider and animal need to have to build trust before riding.
She added: "It takes connection and harmony with the horse. Because you and him are having to go over an obstacle, then having to land and re-group and go to another obstacle."
