A Talented Equestrian Kills Herself After Mom Disagrees About Riding Her Pony

A talented equestrian killed herself after a disagreement with her mother about riding her pony. Brodie Morgan, 16, was a showjumper who had been featured in Horse and Hound magazine and was expected to get “amazing” GCSE results. She was described as a happy and bubbly student at St Joseph’s school in Newport but had been having problems with a group of pupils she knew, an inquest heard. She was also upset after losing her grandfather and a friend at school. Her body was found near her stables in Llantrisant, Monmouthshire.

The teen’s parents are asking for donations to plant a tree with a plaque in her name at the World Equestrian Center. The money raised will also help the family create an ongoing trophy in her honor and donate to organizations of their choice. As of Wednesday morning, over $56,000 has been donated — more than four times the fundraiser’s initial goal.

During the competition, the Florida teen was halfway through the course when her horse tripped and fell on her. The 15-year-old girl, who was competing in the hunter/jumper event at Fox Lea Farm, had just successfully landed jump number five when her horse, Quaxx 2, planted its left front foot for unknown reasons, the sheriff’s office said. The horse then began to lean significantly on its front hoof, causing the rider to topple forward and fall off in the same direction onto her head.

Fox Lea Farm staff rushed to her aid until deputies arrived. The teen was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital Venice campus, where she was pronounced dead. The horse was uninjured. The US Equestrian Federation, which describes Serfass as a talented up-and-coming junior rider, says it takes every accident “very seriously.” It promises to review the incident “thoroughly” to learn more about what can be done to improve safety in equestrian sport going forward.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the teen’s family, who are asking for donations to plant a tree in her name at the World Equestrian Centre and set up a scholarship fund. The funds will also help to create an ongoing trophy in her honor and give to organizations of their choosing, including the ASPCA and the Humane Society. As of Wednesday morning, over $56,000 had been raised – more than four times the initial fundraising goal.

The teenager’s parents are also asking for donations to plant a tree with her name on it at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. Any funds left over will either be used to create an ongoing trophy in her name or donated to the family for their chosen organization. As of Wednesday morning, more than $56,000 has been raised – more than four times the fundraiser’s initial donation goal.

The teen was a talented up-and-coming junior competitor and a rising star within the equestrian world, according to a March magazine profile. She also ran track for Wildwood Middle High School and was a member of the Sumter County 4H Youth Development Program.