Lifelong Hunt Member Dies in Tragic Riding Accident

On November 2, 2024, a tragic incident occurred during a Heythrop Hunt trail hunt in Gloucestershire, England. Guy Avis, a 76-year-old riding enthusiast and lifelong member of the hunt, died after falling from his horse Jasper.

Avis, who was known as the 'singing secretary' of the Heythrop Hunt, had been participating in the event with around 90 other riders when his horse refused to jump a fence. The inquest heard that Avis fell forward over the horse's head and landed headfirst on the ground, sustaining a fatal fractured cervical spine.

Paramedics were called to the scene, but Avis was pronounced dead at 2:50 pm. The coroner concluded that Avis's death was an accidental result of the horse riding accident. In addition to his involvement with the Heythrop Hunt, Avis was also a performer with Giffords Circus, where he had worked alongside the circus's performers.

The news of Avis's passing has saddened the local community and the wider hunting and circus communities. The British Hound Sports Association expressed their condolences, acknowledging Avis's long history of hunting and his dedicated role as the Heythrop Hunt's 'Singing Secretary' for 28 years.