The husband of British equestrian 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 from a fence during the Bicton International Horse Trials in May.
She was married to fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell, a member of New Zealand’s team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The couple joined personal and professional forces to create Team Campbell Eventing.
Jesse, writing on Instagram on Monday, confirmed he is ready to return to competition at the Upton House Horse Trials in Banbury.
Jesse Campbell, right, confirmed he will return to competition two weeks after the funeral of his wife Georgie, left.
Georgie Campbell tragically died after a fall whilst competing on Global Quest at the Bicton Horse Trials in May.
Jesse Campbell thanked the messages of support and said he will start his first event since Georgie’s death with his “wife in my heart.”
He expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he has received since Ms Campbell’s death, and his return to competition will come two weeks after her funeral on June 25 in Kent.
“Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to my beautiful wife. It’s certainly been a tough few weeks coming to terms with the final decision to say goodbye,” he wrote on Instagram.
‘Along with all the amazing messages, cards and letters of support, being with my horses has helped me so much to get through this time.
‘They are amazing animals – kind, generous and very good at dealing with me, when I’m quite teary at times!
“Tomorrow at Upton will be my first event since Bicton. Yes, it will be strange not to be there with George, but being on a horse galloping through the countryside is where I am happiest and I can’t wait to leave the start box tomorrow with my wife in my heart.”
In total, Mr Campbell has won 21 major New Zealand and international eventing titles and sporting awards.
Her goal was to secure a place on the New Zealand team for this summer’s Paris Olympics, which would have been her second Games after Tokyo.
Mr Campbell was dropped from New Zealand’s equestrian team for the Games last week, reportedly having withdrawn from consideration following the tragic death of his wife.
Georgie Campbell (left) had been married to fellow equestrian Jesse Campbell (right) for four years before his passing.
The equestrian couple is pictured on their wedding day in 2021.
Ms Campbell has represented Great Britain on numerous occasions in Nations Cup teams and appeared in several five-star events, the highest recognised level of eventing.
Following Georgie Campbell’s death in May, Jesse shared an image of his wife on social media with the Caption: ‘I love you so, so much.’
He added: ‘This is my favourite 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 amazing, she made 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 loved everything and everyone.
‘Working in the equestrian world is not an easy life; there are many knocks and dark days. But G overcame it by bringing joy and love to every situation.
‘I enjoyed having a Greggs tea on the way home from racing as much as I enjoyed teaching a client in the pouring rain or jumping and galloping around the world’s biggest circuits. It was amazing to be around you and feel that energy.
“I’m so proud to be your husband. Rest in peace, my beautiful girl.”
Ms Campbell was initially a top-level show rider before turning to eventing.
He represented Great Britain on numerous occasions in Nations Cup teams and appeared in several five-star events, the highest level recognised in eventing.
In an interview with Equine America last year, he cited winning the 2022 4* Long at Ligniers on Global Quest as a career highlight.
Mr Campbell said of his wife: “I am so proud to be her husband” in a tribute post in May.
Jesse Campbell competed at the Tokyo Olympics, but will not represent New Zealand at the upcoming Paris Games
On Sunday, Ms Campbell and her horse, Global Quest, were competing in the CCI4*-S event on the cross-country course, but unfortunately fell into the water at a fence.
Medical professionals were called immediately, but Ms Campbell died at the scene.
She competed in over 200 events and won six times. In 2020, she married her eventing partner, Mr. Campbell.
Campbell is said to have developed competitive ambitions through the Pony Club. At just 15, he was selected for the New Zealand senior eventing talent team.
Over the years he worked with numerous thoroughbreds and in particular developed several ex-racehorses into advanced eventing horses.
In 2009, he was invited to train in the United Kingdom and the following year he traveled to Sweden to train with the renowned duo Lisen and Pedar Frederickson.
After returning to the UK in 2011, Mr Campbell began establishing his own shipyard.
Mr Campbell was a member of the New Zealand Nations Cup team in 2013 and competed in the Swedish International Eventing Grand Prix in 2014.
In 2015, the Luhmuhlen made a successful debut with four stars.