AN investigation was under way last night into the death of a four-year-old girl who was thrown from a horse during a lesson at her local riding school.

The youngster was under one-to-one instruction on Sunday morning when her miniature Welsh pony was "spooked" by an animal in the hedgerow and reared up.

The girl fell into the road in the village of Friars Hill, near Sinnington, North Yorkshire.

The girl, who has not been named, was taken to Scarborough District Hospital before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, but she died from her injuries on Sunday night.

An instructor from the Friars Hill Riding School, owned by Alison Brown, had been leading the youngster on the horse when the tragedy happened.

The family-run riding school was yesterday closed as a mark of sympathy to the grieving family.

Instructor Alan Lane said everyone there was deeply saddened and shocked by the accident.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the young girl who died," he said.

"The girl had ridden at this school a number of times and some of the instructors knew her and her family very well."

Members of the local community yesterday spoke of their shock.

Landlord of the Fox and Hounds, at Sinnington, Andrew Stephens, said: "It is a terribly sad thing for a family to have to deal with and I'm sure this small community will really feel their loss."

A neighbour of the riding stables said the tragedy had shocked the whole village. She said: "It is the sort of freak accident you cannot foresee and all the staff at the stables are devastated."

The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and will be investigated by the Department of Environmental Health of Ryedale District Council.

Local councillor Philip Huntington said: "The sight of youngsters on horseback in this part of the world is so common and I know this loss will be hard-felt here."

The girl, who is not being named until all next of kin have been informed, is the third child to die in accidents involving horses recently.

On August 17, Lucy Caley, 13, died after being crushed under her horse while riding with friends on a farm near Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Two days later 13-year-old Victoria Ivey, of Hayle, Cornwall, died after being kicked in the head by another horse while grooming her pony.