Soldier who died at Royal Windsor Horse Show attended by King was ‘doing what she loved’, says her heartbroken mum

A SOLDIER who died at the Royal Windsor Horse Show was “doing what she loved”, her heartbroken mother has said.

Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on Friday.

A person in a ceremonial uniform riding a dark brown horse in an arena.
Ciara Sullivan was declared dead at the scene after falling from her horse while leaving the Berkshire arena on FridayCredit: Facbook..

A female soldier with camouflage paint on her face, wearing a helmet and camouflage uniform, holding a rifle.
‘Incredible’ Ciara was ‘doing what she loved’, her heartbroken mother has said
The King and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present at the time but were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later, Buckingham Palace said.

A spokesman added His Majesty was “greatly shocked and saddened” and would be in touch with the family to offer personal condolences.

Tributes have now poured in for Lance Bombardier Sullivan, 24, of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, following her death in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Commenting in a moving Facebook post about Ciara, her devastated mum, Wendy, wrote: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to write this. She was doing what she loved.”

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A friend, Eleanor Lucas Bell, shared the original post, in which she praised her skill and professionalism with horses.

She wrote: “Today our sport lost one of its very best. The soldier who tragically lost her life was known to us personally.

“I saw first hand her incredible talent, horsemanship and dedication.

“She was the very pinnacle of equestrianism — someone I looked up to enormously as both a rider and a role model.

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King Charles III stands among members of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
King Charles pictured at the Royal Windsor Horse ShowCredit: PA

Actor Tom Cruise smiling next to Ciara Sullivan, dressed in a military uniform and helmet.
Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s ­Platinum Jubilee yearCredit: Facbook..
“In truth, watching her do what she did with such skill, confidence and professionalism was part of what inspired me to consider joining myself. I was completely in awe of her. To lose her life simply doing the job she did every single day is a heartbreaking reminder of just how dangerous and unforgiving equestrian sport can be.”

Eleanor continued: “In a strange twist of fate, we are at Windsor ourselves today.

“We will take a quiet moment to remember her.”

Another pal, Laura Blandford, added: “She was an incredible ­person who made people’s lives better simply by being her.”

Her commanding officer said: “Lance Bombardier Ciara Sullivan, ‘Sully’ to her friends, was to all who had the privilege of serving alongside her, a bright light in any room she entered. An immensely professional soldier and an exceptional jockey, she had an infectious energy.

“She was the kind of person who made the regiment, and world, a better place simply by being part of it.”

Defence Secretary John Healey paid tribute, describing Ciara as a dedicated and highly respected soldier whose death had shocked the Army and wider defence community.

In 2022, Ciara was pictured smiling alongside Tom Cruise when he visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen’s ­Platinum Jubilee year.

Her death was being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious, Thames Valley Police said.