Pictured an hour before her death: The gold medal-winning show jumper, 22, who was crushed by her horse during an event as her mother watched on 

  • Rebecca 'Becca' Weissbard, 22, of Long Island, was killed on Wednesday
  • Her horse had just cleared a hurdle during an event when it struck a pole
  • She was thrown from the horse, which then fell on Weissbard, crushing her
  • Officials say her mother was the first to run to her aid 
  • She was pronounced dead at the scene  

By Associated Press Reporter

Published: 05:48 EST, 2 September 2016 | Updated: 12:52 EST, 2 September 2016

Killed: Rebecca Weissbard was competing at an event in Saugerties when the horse she was on struck a hurdle and fell on top of her

Killed: Rebecca Weissbard was competing at an event in Saugerties when the horse she was on struck a hurdle and fell on top of her

A gold medal winning show jumper was killed after the horse she was riding fell on her during an equestrian show in New York's Hudson Valley.

Rebecca 'Becca' Weissbard, 22, from Manorville, Long Island, was pronounced dead at the scene at Horse Shows in The Sun in Saugerties on Wednesday, the Daily Freeman reported.

Police say the young  woman was on her second run through a 10-hurdle course when her horse struck a cross pole on the first hurdle around 1pm on Wednesday.

She was thrown from the animal, which then crushed her.

Moments before: This video of Weissbard was reportedly taken an hour before her death as she prepared for the competition. She was riding a gelding named Remember Me

Moments before: This video of Weissbard was reportedly taken an hour before her death as she prepared for the competition. She was riding a gelding named Remember Me

Weissbard had won a 1.0-meter class earlier in the day aboard her mare, Remember Me

Weissbard had won a 1.0-meter class earlier in the day aboard her mare, Remember Me

Officials said Weissbard's mother was present at the event and was the first person to come to her aid.

Medical technicians at the event were attempting to resuscitate Weissbard when paramedics arrived.  However she was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

She died of blunt force trauma after being crushed by the horse, police said. 

According to Rate My Horse Pro, Weissbard was aboard a gelding named Remember Me at the time of the accident. The condition of the horse is currently unknown.

It is the first death at the facility since it opened in 2004, officials said. 

Rebecca “Becca” Weissbard suffered a fatal fall
She was competing at the HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII in New York on August 31 when she died

Rebecca 'Becca' Weissbard suffered a fatal fall while competing at the HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII in New York on August 31

The accident occurred during a jump off competition while Weissbard and her horse were attempting to clear the second of 10 hurdles

The accident occurred during a jump off competition while Weissbard and her horse were attempting to clear the second of 10 hurdles

Courtesy Maccabi USA 

A statement issued Thursday by HITS spokeswoman Emily Glass said: 'It is with great sadness that HITS informs the equestrian community of an accident involving a talented young athlete. ... HITS extends its deepest sympathy to the athlete's family and to the entire horse sport community who feels the impact of this significant loss.' 

On its Facebook page, the Hampton Classic Horse Show said: 'The Long Island equestrian community is heartbroken that Becca Weissbard died in a riding accident yesterday.'

The group also extended its 'deepest sympathy' to her family and friends. 

Weissbard won a 1.0-meter class earlier in the day on the mare Remember Me. Video footage shows her practicing for the event just one hour before her tragic death.

Weissbard had won a gold medal at the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and helped her U.S. show jumping team win a silver medal. 

Officials say the young woman was jumping hurdles when her horse hit a pole and landed on top of her. Her mother was the first one by her side after the incident occurred

Officials say the young woman was jumping hurdles when her horse hit a pole and landed on top of her. Her mother was the first one by her side after the incident occurred

Tragic: She sustained fatal injuries as a result of her horse toppling onto her. Weissbard is seen here at a separate event 

Tragic: She sustained fatal injuries as a result of her horse toppling onto her. Weissbard is seen here at a separate event 

Horse Shows In The Sun, owned by Tom Struzzieri, produces world-class hunter-jumper circuits in New York, California, Florida, Arizona and Virginia. 

Many fellow equestrians and friends have been posting tributes to Weissbard on a Remember Becca Weissbard Facebook group. 

'She embodied the beauty and grace of the equestrian sport. This is so incredibly sad. Our prayers are with her family,' a parent said on Facebook in Weissbard's memory.  

Weissbard had already won a 1.0-meter class event earlier on the day that she died. She is pictured here at another equestrian event 

Weissbard had already won a 1.0-meter class event earlier on the day that she died. She is pictured here at another equestrian event 

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