Horse rider Abigail Garside, 30, was found dead just hours after posing for photographs with her husband Samuel as they celebrated their first wedding anniversary together
Moving tributes have been paid to a talented horse rider who suddenly died while celebrating her first wedding anniversary.
Abigail Garside, 30, was tragically found dead on August 18 in gardens in the centre of Harrogate after staying at the luxury Rudding Park resort and spa with her husband, Samuel Garside. Photographs shared by her husband on social showed the couple smiling together in a hot tub just a few hours hours before she died.
Police said they do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mrs Garside’s death. She was thought to be fit and healthy, and had no pre-existing medical conditions.
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Announcing her death on Facebook to stunned friends and family, Abigail’s devastated husband wrote: “My absolute world, my best friend and my beautiful darling wife. I will love you forever and you will never leave my heart xxx.”
It was only one year earlier that the couple had celebrated tying the knot at the Crow Wood Hotel and Spa resort in Burnley, Lancashire, when Abigail said she was marrying “the man of my dreams”. Photographs show the couple smiling, posing with their pet dogs and laughing as they slice the wedding cake.
Abigail was well-known within the equestrian community, and won McNeil Family British Ridden Heavy Horse of the Year Championship with six-year-old Shire mare, Melindwr Lady Olwen back in 2019.
Praising her horse after her victory at the NEC (National Exhibition Centre) in Birmingham, she said: “She was amazing in there and didn’t put a foot wrong. She’s very easy to do and has the best temperament.”
In a tribute following her death, her local riding club posted on Facebook this week: “It’s with great sadness Ribble Valley Riding Club would like to remember Abigail Garside (nee Gresty) who unfortunately we lost recently.
“Abigail was a great supporter & highly valued member for over 20 years. Abigail will be sadly missed by everyone in the horse world, that’s for sure. Sending all our love to the family at this very sad time.”
Her funeral is set to take place on September 2, and will involve a horse-drawn carriage procession from her home in Blackburn, Lancashire, to a nearby church.