12-08-2025
Community 'deeply saddened' after Welsh school teacher dies in horse fall
Community 'deeply saddened' after Welsh school teacher dies in horse fall
Tribute have poured in for Sarah Yorke after she died in a fall during an horse riding event on Friday
Sarah Yorke has died at the age of 37
(Image: Instagram/allegros_adventures)
Tributes have been paid to a 'much-loved and highly respected' Welsh teacher who has died in a tragic horse riding accident. Sarah Yorke, who was 37, was taking part in the cross country stage of the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials in Daventry, Northamptonshire, on Friday, August 8.
She was riding her horse MGH Hera when she fell at the third fence. Medical professionals attended the scene but, according to British Eventing, the governing body for eventing in the UK, 'tragically, she could not be saved'.
Ms Yorke, mother to a seven-year-old daughter, hailed from Powys and had worked as a 'well-respected teacher' at Berriew Primary School near Welshpool. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Tributes have flooded in following the death. Anwen Orrels, head of school improvement and learning at Powys County Council, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of our former colleague Sarah Yorke. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.
'Sarah had been a popular and well-respected teacher at Berriew Primary School before taking up a new position with the Shropshire Hills Federation, working at two primary schools in south Shropshire.'
Andy Hall, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children and education, said: 'We were shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Sarah, a much-loved and highly respected teacher who will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with her – and all who were lucky enough to be taught by her over the years.
'Sarah taught at Chirbury Primary for several years before taking up a new post at Berriew Primary School. She then returned to Shropshire to teach at Norbury Primary and was a valued member of the team.
'Our thoughts are with Sarah's family and friends, and with all the staff and pupils at Norbury, Chirbury and Stiperstones - the schools within the Shropshire Hills Federation. We are supporting the head teacher at this incredibly difficult time.'
Other tributes paid on social media reflect the high regard the teacher was held in by those who knew her.
One former pupil of hers said: 'To my old primary school teacher Sarah Yorke, who was taken from us at the age of 37, I will miss you so dearly. My love to all of her family and close friends.'
One woman said: 'I was lucky enough to know Sarah a little, having taught her a few times over the last few years. She always radiated positivity and enthusiasm for the job in hand and her horses, and gave the impression of juggling a very busy life with determination and grace. I'm so sad for her family and friends, and everyone who is mourning her loss.'
Torfaen Riding Club paid their own tribute, saying: 'As a club and riders ourselves with friends and members that have had accidents, we all know how easily it happens, but to lose your life is truly devastating for our whole community.
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'We are truly heartbroken and as a club sending our most sincere heartfelt condolences to the family.'
Following the death, Rosie Williams, chief executive of British Eventing, said: 'On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Sarah's family and friends. The thoughts of the entire eventing community are with them at this incredibly difficult time.'
