Tributes paid to Beaufort Hunt member (From Gazette Series)

Tributes paid to Beaufort Hunt member

9:00am Saturday 3rd January 2009 in

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TRIBUTES have been paid to a prominent member of the Beaufort Hunt who died in a freak horseriding accident two days after Christmas.

David Hall, 73, died instantly when his horse failed to jump a fence during a hunt at Westonbirt at 1pm on December 27.

Mr Hall, of Parks Farm, Badminton, was catapulted off his horse and broke his neck.

His wife Helen, 64, and their two sons Philip, 37, and Richard, 40, paid tribute in a statement.

They said: "David, Dad, Grampy, Baddie. You were a very wonderful and special husband, father and grandfather.

"We have been devastated by your sudden passing but know that if you had to choose a way to go then on the hunting field, following hounds on a good horse would have been it.

"You built a fine dairy herd and hunting was your passion. The hole you have left will never be able to be filled and we will always be very proud to have been your family.

"You will never be forgotten."

Captain Ian Farquhar, joint master of the hunt, said Mr Hall had been in his 65th season with the famous hunt.

"We have lost a very popular and respected local farmer and stalwart of the hunting community," he said.

"He will be deeply missed."

The hunt was called off following the accident, which happened in fields between Westonbirt and Easton Gray.

Paramedics and the region’s air ambulance were called to the scene but Mr Hall was already dead.

The funeral will take place at Badminton Church on Tuesday, January 6 at 2pm. Family flowers only, donations to the Wiltshire Air ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.