The husband of a Kent horse rider has paid tribute to his “strong, beautiful and phenomenal” wife following her death in a riding accident.

Georgie Campbell, from Lamberhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, died on Sunday (May 26) after suffering a fall in a cross-country event.

The 37-year-old was competing in the Bicton International Trials in Devon when she and her horse Global Quest fell into water at a fence on the course.

Campbell, who has competed in more than 200 events, could not be saved despite the efforts of medics.

The professional event rider’s husband, Jesse Campbell, has now paid tribute to his “beautiful girl”.

In a statement released on social media, he said: “People will talk about G’s smile, and it was incredible—it would make you feel like you were the centre of the universe.

“She was a strong, beautiful, phenomenal woman who just loved everything and everyone.

“She would get as much joy from having a Greggs tea on the way home from the gallops as she would teaching a client in the pouring rain or jumping and galloping around the biggest courses in the world.

“It was just incredible to be at your side and feel this energy. I am so proud to be your husband.

”Rest in peace, my beautiful girl.”

Campbell married fellow equestrian Jesse, a member of the New Zealand team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, in December 2020.

The pair joined personal and professional forces to create Team Campbell Eventing, an equestrian business based near Lamberhurst.

Campbell was initially a top-level showing rider before turning to eventing and represented Great Britain numerous times on Nations Cup teams.