Sophie walker death: Pony game’s overseeing body is among handfuls from the equestrian world to stretch out sympathies to the groups of Venezuelan showjumper Andres Rodriguez and US beginner jumper Sophie Walker. They both passed on Monday morning in an auto crash in Florida.

Rodriguez, singular silver medalist at the 2015 Pan-American Games, kicked the bucket in the emergency clinic of wounds continued in the mishap in Wellington. He was 31.

His traveller, Sophie Coppedge Walker, 30, kicked the bucket at the area of the accident. Walker was a gifted beginner rider on the US public circuit.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said, “to lose two youthful competitors in this horrendous manner is an awful stun, and our hearts go out to their families and companions”.

“Andres Rodriguez was an a-list competitor and a genius taking shape. For his life to be stopped along these lines is appalling,” she said.

FEI Jumping Director John Roche said the game had unfortunately lost perhaps the best envoy with the death of Andres Rodriguez, “and I have lost a dear companion, as in reality have numerous others”.

“Andres was an awesome horseman and an astonishing individual with a positive way to deal with life. He showed at least a bit of kindness as large as Mount Everest. He will be incredibly missed by all of us,” Roche said.