George Pickering
George Pickering, aged 19, of Cricklewood, Hendon, was critically injured when falling from his horse at the Hawthorne Hill Autumn Steeplechases held at Redstone Farm, near Maidenhead, on Saturday, November 10, 1900.
George Pickering, aged 19, of Cricklewood, Hendon, was critically injured when falling from his horse at the Hawthorne Hill Autumn Steeplechases held at Redstone Farm, near Maidenhead, on Saturday, November 10, 1900.
George was riding Kruger in the Maiden Steeplechase run at 4 o'clock.
George was riding Kruger in the Maiden Steeplechase run at 4 o'clock.
The horse, described as very quiet and capable of clearing all of the jumps, was owned by Mr Henry Rich of Forty Farm, Wembley, Middlesex.
The horse, described as very quiet and capable of clearing all of the jumps, was owned by Mr Henry Rich of Forty Farm, Wembley, Middlesex.
As it reached the open ditch near the farmhouse, Kruger fell and rolled over his jockey, inflicting massive internal damage.
As it reached the open ditch near the farmhouse, Kruger fell and rolled over his jockey, inflicting massive internal damage.
George was carried to Redstone Farm where, at noon the next day, he succumbed to his injuries.
George was carried to Redstone Farm where, at noon the next day, he succumbed to his injuries.
Kruger, a five-year-old, was George's first ride in public. Unfortunately, it also proved to be his last.
Kruger, a five-year-old, was George's first ride in public. Unfortunately, it also proved to be his last.
The following Wednesday, an inquest was held in the same building.
The following Wednesday, an inquest was held in the same building.
Mr Rich said he considered George, who had been with him six months, to be a good rider.
Mr Rich said he considered George, who had been with him six months, to be a good rider.
Before working for Mr Rich, George had been in the services of the well-known jump jockey Percy Woodland.
Before working for Mr Rich, George had been in the services of the well-known jump jockey Percy Woodland.
George's mother, Zillah Pickering, identified his body. She said he had been working in stables since the age of eight, and was thoroughly accustomed to horses. She knew the horse he rode as he had shown it to her and said that he could do anything with it. He was pleased that he was riding in the race.
George's mother, Zillah Pickering, identified his body. She said he had been working in stables since the age of eight, and was thoroughly accustomed to horses. She knew the horse he rode as he had shown it to her and said that he could do anything with it. He was pleased that he was riding in the race.
A witness to the accident, Arthur Meeks, said that the horse cleared the jump before appearing to turn a somersault and land on George. He went at once to George who said 'Oh, my poor head.'
A witness to the accident, Arthur Meeks, said that the horse cleared the jump before appearing to turn a somersault and land on George. He went at once to George who said 'Oh, my poor head.'
A verdict of accidental death was returned.
A verdict of accidental death was returned.