One of Northern Ireland's best known equestrian riders has been killed in a cross-country event.
Sherelle Duke, aged 28, from Portadown in Co Armagh, was fatally injured when her horse fell on top of her at Brockenhurst Park near Southampton.
The former World Young Rider champion has been credited with improving Northern Ireland's standing in the field and was known as a super-fit and talented athlete.
She won the bronze medal in the World Young Rider event in 1999.
Her family set up the Dukes Transport Company which is known for its business success.
For some time Duke rode in the company's colours of red and white. She was a member of the Irish team in the 2003 European Championships.
Lurgan journalist Ruth Loney knew the talented rider well.
"She has been in competitive horse trials for the last 15 years at the highest level and she was training for the next Olympics in Beijing," she said.
"She rode professionally and produced horses from nothing to international level.
"She competed in all the big events across Europe, all the three-day events."
Duke was representing Ireland in the Burghley Horse Trials next month.
Her brilliance helped Ireland qualify for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Ms Loney added: "She was very good-looking, very tall, and a very cool person, she never really flapped.
"She was very focused and very committed to her sport, very competitive, but a very nice person."
Friend and fellow rider Vina Buller said the family was struggling with the loss.
"We are devastated, just devastated, but the whole equestrian community will pull together and try to make sense of this all," she said.
It is understood the horse Ms Duke was riding stumbled while clearing a fence and she was crushed as the animal fell.
Local Democratic Unionist Party MP David Simpson said it was a severe blow. "It is devastating for the community".
