The husband of British horse riding star Georgie Campbell who died after a fall during a cross-country event in Devon is set to make an emotional return to competition two weeks after her funeral.
Campbell, 37, died after falling at a fence during the Bicton International Horse Trials in May.
She was married to fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell, a member of the New Zealand team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
The pair joined personal and professional forces to create Team Campbell Eventing.
Jesse, writing on Instagram on Monday, confirmed he is set to make his return to competition at the Upton House Horse Trials in Banbury.
Jesse Campbell, right, confirmed he is making his return to competition two weeks after the funeral of his wife Georgie, left,
Georgie Campbell tragically died after a fall while competing with Global Quest at the Bicton Horse Trials in May
Jesse Campbell offered his thanks for messages of support and said he will start his first event since Georgie’s death with his ‘wife in my heart’
He offered his thanks to messages of support he has received since Mrs Campbell’s death, with his competitive return coming two weeks after her funeral on June 25 in Kent.
‘Two weeks ago, I laid my beautiful wife to rest. It’s certainly been a tough few weeks coming to terms with the finality of saying goodbye,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘Along with all the incredible messages, cards, and letters of support, being with my horses has helped me so much in getting through this time.
‘They’re incredible animals—kind, generous, and very good at dealing with me being quite teary at times!
‘Tomorrow at Upton is my first event since Bicton. Yes, it will feel weird not being there with George, but being on the back of a horse galloping across the countryside is where I feel happiest, and I can’t wait to leave the start box tomorrow with my wife in my heart.’
Mr Campbell has won 21 major New Zealand and International Eventing titles and sport awards in total.
He had been targeting a place in New Zealand’s team for the Olympics in Paris this summer, which would have been his second Games after Tokyo.
Mr Campbell was left off New Zealand’s equestrian team for the Games last week, having reportedly withdrawn from consideration following his wife’s tragic death.
Georgie Campbell (left) had been married to fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell (right) for four years before her passing
The equestrian couple are pictured on their wedding day in 2021
Mrs Campbell represented Great Britain numerous times on Nations Cup teams and appeared at several five-star events, the highest recognised level of eventing
Following Georgie Campbell’s death in May, Jesse had shared an image of his wife on social media with the caption: ‘I love you so, so much.’
He added: ‘This is my favorite photo of my beautiful wife. It’s from our wedding day in 2021 and it was the best day ever. People will talk about G’s smile, and it was incredible – it would make you feel like you were the centre of the universe.
‘But what I love about this photo is how it captures her strength. She was a strong, beautiful, phenomenal woman who just loved everything and everyone.
‘Working in the equestrian world is not an easy life; there are a lot of knocks and dark days. But G would navigate this by throwing so much joy and love at every situation.
‘She would get as much joy from having a Greggs tea on the way home from the gallops as she would teaching a client in the pouring rain or jumping and galloping around biggest courses in the world. It was just incredible to be at your side and feel this energy.
‘I’m so proud to be your husband. Rest in peace, my beautiful girl.’
Mrs Campbell was initially a top-level show rider before turning to eventing.
She represented Great Britain numerous times on Nations Cup teams and appeared at several five-star events, the highest recognised level of eventing.
In an Equine America interview last year, she cited winning the 4* Long in 2022 at Ligniers on Global Quest as a career highlight.
Mr Campbell said of his wife: ‘I’m so proud to be your husband’ in a tribute post back in May
Jesse Campbell competed at the Olympics in Tokyo, but will not represent New Zealand at the upcoming Games in Paris
On Sunday, Mrs Campbell and her horse, Global Quest, were competing in the CCI4*-S event on the cross-country course but sadly fell into the water at a fence.
Medical professionals attended immediately but Mrs Campbell died at the scene.
She competed in more than 200 events, winning on six occasions. In 2020, she married fellow event rider Mr Campbell.
Mr Campbell is said to have developed competitive ambitions through Pony Club. Aged just 15, he was selected in New Zealand’s eventing senior talent squad.
Over the years, he worked with numerous thoroughbreds and notably developed several former racehorses into becoming advanced eventers.
In 2009, he was invited to train in the UK and the following year then travelled to Sweden to train under renowned pair Lisen and Pedar Frederickson.
After returning to the UK in 2011, Mr Campbell went on to establish his own yard.
Mr Campbell was a member of New Zealand’s Nations Cup team in 2013 and competed at the Swedish International Eventing grand prix in 2014.
A successful four-star debut at Luhmuhlen followed in 2015.