Just weeks after 17-year-old Olivia Inglis was fatally crushed by her horse when they tumbled over a jump, 19-year-old Caitlyn Fischer instantly died when her horse fell on her at another equestrian event.
With an inquest into the deaths having wrapped up in May, deputy state coroner Derek Lee is to deliver his findings at Lidcombe Coroners Court on Friday.
The 13-day inquiry looked at the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the accidents as well as examining whether safety procedures at NSW equestrian events were adequate.
Related reporting: Elite horse rider says jump was 'unsafe'
The inquest heard that when Olivia and her horse Coriolanus fell in March 2016, Scone Horse Trials officials didn't know there was a doctor nearby.
Olivia was alive in the minutes after but the doctor didn't arrive until 20 minutes later. Word she was there didn't filter through and she had to make herself known to authorities after hearing of the accident.
Olivia's mother Charlotte Inglis also told the inquest she had not been aware licensed paramedics were no longer present at the equestrian events where her daughter was competing.
The paramedic on hand who tried to save her was hired only to provide general first aid and was without essential equipment.
Olivia died at the scene.
The inquest also heard from Caitlyn's mother, Ailsa Carr. She was first on scene after her daughter fell from Ralphie and died at the Sydney International Horse Trials in April 2016.
Related to this report: Medic was struggling; Olivia Inglis' mum speaks at inquest into her daughter's death
She knew instantly her daughter was dead but Ms Carr says even though nothing could have saved Caitlyn, the response to the accident showed what could have been done to save others.
It took at least six minutes for an ambulance to arrive and the closest jump judge on the course had no first aid training.
Equestrian Australia has since changed its rules to require a paramedic with the capacity to provide advanced life support to be present at events.
The inquest also heard that while the jump Olivia attempted was deemed technically safe by course design experts, it was not so in the eyes of elite Australian equestrian Paul Tapner.
Related: Lament for a young girl at Olivia Inglis funeral
Safety investigator Samantha Farrar also testified that she was left frustrated after her efforts to examine the circumstances around Olivia's death were shut down and her final report altered.
- Australian Associated Press
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