Horse Community Mourns Loss – Trainer Killed Following Freak Accident

Diana Cavender, an experienced horse trainer and member of the award winning Escondido Mounted Posse died Saturday. Diana was riding her horse to a staging area after the Western Day’s Lakeside Parade in San Diego County when her horse spooked and fell on the pavement.

Her horse spooked and started to spin, said Al Pfetlz, one of the founders of the Escondido Mounted Posse. Though Cavender tried to get the horse under control, it slipped on the asphalt and fell on its side, he said. “The last thing I remember seeing is the horse lose its footing and fall down on its right side and the force of the impact whipped Diana down and her head into the asphalt,” he told NBC 7 San Diego. He said she was one of the best horse trainers in the business.

Cadender’s head hit the ground and her injuries were fatal. Her husband was riding in the parade as well and friends say he tended to her until medics arrived. She was taken to the Hospital and sadly died six hours after being admitted as a result of head injuries.

“Diana was always someone we respected because of her ability to ride and her knowledge of horses, but I think the most important thing was not the horse it was God and her husband,” Pfeltz said.
Sometimes, even the most skilled riders can get knocked down, he said.

“Riding horses is like riding a motorcycle, it is not something you’ll go through your whole life without getting hurt,” said Pfeltz.

Source: NBC San Diego. Unfortunately horses are unpredictable. We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diana Cavender. Diana didn’t appear to be wearing a helmet. Many people still don’t, including myself until recently. We have no idea if it would have made any difference in this situation, but we encourage everyone to wear helmets when riding. Life is a precious thing.