A show judge today told how she watched in horror as Queensbury mother Kay Sutcliffe was kicked to death by her horse.

Rebecca Walker was only yards from Mrs Sutcliffe when the 14-month-old filly "rodeoed" and kicked her behind the ear.

Miss Walker, 34, said the horse caught Mrs Sutcliffe with the one back shoe it was wearing.

Mrs Sutcliffe, 38, was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary but died shortly afterwards.

She was showing her home-bred horse Lady at the Shibden Dale Riding Club Open Show at Royd Farm, Hall Lane, Northowram, on Sunday.

Mrs Sutcliffe, of Bracken House Farm, ran Bobby Green Dairy Farm with husband Richard. The couple have a son, George, aged 12. A close family member said: "The family is in shock and mourning."

Mrs Sutcliffe was wearing a hard velvet hat but it was knocked off by the force of the kick.

Miss Walker, of Batley, told how she chatted to Mrs Sutcliffe minutes before the tragedy. She said it was Lady's first time in the show ring.

Mrs Sutcliffe was parading the horse in front of the judges when it began rearing and bucking.

Miss Walker said: "The horse had been a little frisky.

"It had just one shoe on a back foot and it was that leg that struck her.

"I was with her in seconds and she was already unconscious.

"I was the last person to speak to her and the first to get to her.

"My thoughts go out to the family. You don't expect anything like that to happen."

Shibden Dale Riding Club committee member David Kent was judging in the next ring when he heard the call for first aid.

Mr Kent, of Wyke, Bradford, said off-duty paramedics competing in the show raced to help. There was also a St John Ambulance team at the ground.

"It is a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the family," he said.

Horse-breeder Diane Hadwen, 46, of Laneside, Queensbury, said the equestrian community was shocked and devastated.

She said: "It was a very unlucky and very unusual accident. All the evidence is she had taken every safety precaution.

"This is the sort of accident everyone dreads. It is a lovely friendly show and there has never been anything like this before."