Equestrian, 25, Dead After Horse Riding Accident: 'Died Living Her Dreams'

A Massachusetts equestrian has died at age 25 after being thrown from her horse and sustaining a fatal neck injury.

Chloe Christina Smith was riding her horse, CruZe, with her friends on Friday, June 5, when it refused a jump, throwing her from her saddle. The horse then collapsed on top of her and also died, the New York Post reported.

Smith was airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester where she died seven hours later, surrounded by family and friends, according to ItemLive.

Smith "died living her dreams," her obituary reads.

"Most of us never get that chance, that special moment where life comes together, the wind is at your back, and you have everything you ever wanted right in front of you," the obituary continues. "An avid equestrian, Chloe loved horses. In a cruel twist of fate, she had just achieved what she most desired: she was the new owner of a farm and barn for stabling horses, was moving up the ranks in competitive riding, and teaching lessons to another generation of riders. Following an accident during a routine ride, she is gone long before her time."

Her father, Jim Smith, told ItemLive that Chloe's "life" was horses. She had purchased a horse farm in April where she boarded horses and trained riders, beginning to build a business out of it. Chloe moved into the farm house a week before the accident.

"Her world was right there," Jim said.

"She said she wanted to live there the rest of her life," Chloe's mother, Abbe Smith, added. "She wanted to get married there."

Days before her death, Chloe posted a tribute to CruZe via Instagram on his 13th birthday.

"I am so grateful to have such a brave, kind, intelligent partner in this sport," she wrote alongside the May 30 carousel of photos and videos with the horse. "More than that, I'm grateful to have cruzey as my pal. He makes me smile every day and spreads laughter to all who know him."

Chloe's family described her to ItemLive as committed to social justice and equality. Her brother, Tristan Smith, said, "She was very steadfast in her beliefs. She certainly always wanted the best for people."

"Chloe was a progressive activist, and her memory will live on in each moment that those around her relentlessly pursue their heart's desire and make positive change in the world,"her obituary added. "She is inspiring us all to ride on."

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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 2:24 PM.