Another tragic rider death in Staffordshire

The Virgin Dubble

The Virgin Dubble

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Taken from The Sentinel website:

<font color="blue"> A member of the North Staffordshire Hunt has died after falling from his horse.

Mike Slater suffered serious injuries in the accident at Norton-in-Hales in North Shropshire on Saturday, while taking part in a legal trail hunt.

He was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died this morning from his injuries.



Mr Slater, aged 48, from Aston, near Market Drayton, ran the Aston Manor stables with his wife Debbie, both of them keen riders.

In 2003, he had been involved in another riding accident, but managed to make a full recovery and get back in the saddle.

Huntmaster Ann Hartley said: "We are all devastated by this, it's such a tragedy." </font>

Mike was featured in an interview in Horse and Hound magazine, talking about the near fatal internal injuries he suffered while out hunting in 2003.

He had made an amazing recovery considering the extent of his previous injuries, and showed an amazing fighting spirit to even get back on a horse, let alone go hunting again.

My condolences to his wife Debbie, and to all his family and friends.
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I heard he'd had another bad fall on Monday Dubs, but thought he was showing signs of recovery, even though initially he had no feeling from neck down. What a shock to hear he's died. Only heard the news this morning.

He was jumping wire, so I was told, when the horse tipped up and landed on him.

What a shame. RIP Mike and condolences to Debbie and extended family.
 
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I heard he'd had another bad fall on Monday Dubs, but thought he was showing signs of recovery, even though initially he had no feeling from neck down. What a shock to hear he's died. Only heard the news this morning.

He was jumping wire, so I was told, when the horse tipped up and landed on him.

What a shame. RIP Mike and condolences to Debbie and extended family.

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Id heard whisperings at the weekend of someone having a nasty fall at Saturdays hunt, then Mooch told me yesterday that he had died, but I didn't put two and two together.
At first I though it might be as a result of his old injuries tbh.

I spoke to Ollies step dad yesterday as he is heavily involved with North Staffs, and has known Mike for years, and apparently he broke his neck in the fall, and the prognosis for him walking again was extremely grim, though he wasn't in any danger of dying.

He was stable and doing okay, so the decision was made to transfer him to Oswestry Orthopaedic which specialises in spinal injuries, and as far as we can make out, he died on the journey.
It is believed to have been a blood clot, although this obviously hasn't been confirmed yet.

So tragic that he overcame everything, only for this to happen.
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That is very, very sad.

I remember the article in H &amp; H, his injuries were awful he made an amazing recovery.

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Yes, his first accident was quite freakish, in that he got his injuries from landing on the pommel of his saddle.

I always remember talking to a local man, who was passing by when he had his first accident, and went to see if he could help.

He didn't know Mike, but described how this chap had been lying on the ground in his hunting gear, waiting for the air amulance to arrive, with obviously serious pelvic fractures, and was asking for a cigarette!
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I know he and his wife raised a lot of money for the air ambulance as a thank you.

What a tragedy for Debbie, having gone through nearly losing him before.
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Hannah's instructor's husband is very very good friends of his and also hunts with him.

He had a swelling on his neck that was going down. There were hopes that once that had gone down, he might get the use back in his arms and legs as he was suffering pins and needles, not complete loss of feeling.

He suddenly got into breathing difficulties and passed away. Seems the people I've spoken to are also being led to believe the PM results would show a blood clot that caused his death.

There's a memorial hunt for him tomorrow. Funeral will be in Woore with those that hunt being asked to attend in full hunting attire.

So terribly sad.
 
I remember being told the tale of how his first injury happened. He practically split his pelvis in half landing on the pommel, didn't he?

I also remember that he was riding again against medical advice but he couldn't hang up his boots. Such a damn shame.
 
Mike was the most kind and generous man, and from the moment I took my horse to aston he was nothing but supportive and positive. Aston is the most wonderful yard and i'm so lucky to keep my horse there, and mike and debbie are one of the main reasons why it is such a happy and friendly place to be. He was a funny and kind man who was brilliant to me in difficult times and I'll always be so grateful. We will all miss him so so much xx
 
Yep, and the broken pieces of his pelvis lacerated some of his internal organs, causing severe injuries and resulting in him losing a huge amount of blood.

Totally freakish accident, and the fact that he was riding again at all was down to his determination and spirit.

I just feel so sorry for his family...
 
When people like him die they most certainly leave a hole in many people's lives, not just their family.

My thoughts are with all of you, but especially Debbie, at this dreadfully sad time.
 
So very sad to hear of his story and like the one a few days ago about the lady from Cheddleton who was killed when leading a horse, these are very tragic accidents and one's which have had devasting affects on all their families and friends.
I cannot imagine what the people left behind are going through right now
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My thoughts are with those who knew or who were related to both of these people who have tragically lost their lives x
Caroline
 
I kept my horses at Aston Manor many years ago and have to say I have never met a nicer man than Mike Slater, a true huntsman who wuld help and encourage anybody, and a real diamond. His parties were legendary and were some of my happiest times.
RIP Mike
 
Such a tragedy after he fought back after the first accident. According to our local paper the intention is to have his horse and some of the N. Staffs hounds at the funeral. What a moving occasion that will be. My sympathies to his wife and family. RIP Mike.
 
very shocked to hear the sad news,i was a livery at aston manor for 6 years and used to go hunting with mike,he first introduced me to it,will be missed. from phil longshaw and todd
 
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Such a tragedy after he fought back after the first accident. According to our local paper the intention is to have his horse and some of the N. Staffs hounds at the funeral. What a moving occasion that will be. My sympathies to his wife and family. RIP Mike.

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Yup, that's right. Horse and some of the hounds will be there. Hunt riders have all been asked to attend in fully hunting attire too.
 
I dont know him at all but imagine if he had no feeling from the neck down, and would have possibly been left like this, being the kind of chap he sounds like, maybe it was for the better, if that makes sense.

Hope this comes out right...

RIP Mike and my thoughts go out to your family.
 
Gosh that does sound like Mike. He was such a lovely man, and it really saddened me to hear about his death. Thank you Dubs for letting me know by PM, I really appreciate it. I have some wonderful memories of Mike, him loading my 'pony' instantly when the rest of us had been trying to get the 16.3hh monster on the lorry for hours, he would walk up for Mike without batting an eyelid, he had an instant calming effect on so many 'nutty' horses, it was really a gift. He took a few of ours out hunting for the first times, and they came back with a real sparkle in their eyes, they had a blast. I have more memories tho, that aren't horse related (or at least not directly!) from sitting utterly trashed in his kitchen, or tipsy in the PA's lorry, or worse for wear at a party somewhere - he did know how to party! I really hope the lads and lasses give him the sort of send of he deserves, I am sad I cannot be there with them, RIP Mike.
 
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