Former Ludlow woman dies in horse fall tragedy after beating cancer

The funeral of mother-of-two Geraldine Jones will be held at her new home near Hereford on Friday.

Mrs Jones – who used her maiden name "Rose" for professional purposes – was thrown from a horse while riding along a section of coast in South Wales, after battling breast cancer and only recently being given the all-clear.

The 51-year-old, daughter of former Ludlow School deputy head Sheila Rose and her businessman husband Gerald, was an experienced rider who loved the Gower Peninsula.

During her four years of chemotherapy she had said riding along the stretch was something she always wanted to do, so grabbed the opportunity once she was well enough in a new resolve to appreciate every moment of life.

But as her dream came true the former hospice worker was tragically thrown from her horse at Llangennith Beach and suffered fatal head injuries, despite wearing a helmet.

She died while being airlifted to hospital.

The Rhossili coastguard cliff rescue unit, including an onboard doctor, were unable to save her life.

Coastguard Steve Jones praised Mrs Jones's riding companion and the runner, both of whom tried to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"They made a valiant effort," he said.

"The other lady rides down there quite regularly, so it was very upsetting for everyone.

"They were not doing anything wrong. They were just enjoying the day, as everyone was."

Mrs Jones was born and bred in Ludlow but had moved to Fownhope, near Hereford, where she had spent seven years working as head of communications for St Michael's Hospice in nearby Bartestree before starting her own business as freelance communications consultant last year.

Her friend Nicky West, chief executive of St Michael's Hospice, said: "After being diagnosed with a potentially life-limiting disease, Geraldine became even more keen to appreciate every moment, be that going to places she had always wanted to, or little things like spending time with her family or walking the dog.

"She loved that part of the coast and doing that ride was something she had always wanted to do. It was a life-long wish and she was really excited about it.

"A bucket list is often linked with people who are about to die, but Geraldine had come out the other side and was trying to live life to the fullest. There are no words to describe the sadness we feel for the loss of Geraldine and for her husband, Tim, and children, Ollie and Henry," she said.

"Geraldine was an incredible woman – vibrant, strong, steadfast and independent, sensitive and thoughtful.

"She always had time to care for and about everyone else. She approached the news of a life-threatening cancer diagnosis a few years ago with determination, dignity and a resolve to survive, fulfil her hopes and dreams, reach her fullest potential in her career and to spend more time with her family.

"Her experience of cancer, the uncertainty at the time and the news that treatment had been successful, created a heightened appreciation of the smallest things and a greater determination in her, that she would live life to the full, be a successful business woman and spend quality time with her family.

"Riding a horse on a beach was one of the many things Geraldine had always wanted to do.

"She was a true inspiration to many both personally and professionally," she said.

Mrs Jones' funeral takes place at St Mary's Church, Fownhope at 2.30pm on Friday. An inquest into the tragedy has been opened at Swansea Coroner's Court.