Matthew represented Great Britain at Junior, Young Rider, and Senior Championships, winning silver in the Young Rider European Championships in 2002 with Park Pilot. He successfully competed at CCI5* level, competing at Badminton 10 times and Burghley Horse Trials on six occasions.

Event rider Matthew, joint co-founder of Riders Minds, had been open about his mental health struggles and worked hard to support others. Riders Minds was set up by Matthew and his wife Victoria, and is a bespoke, comprehensive, freely available, on-line resource dedicated to supporting and improving the mental health of all horse riders.

Matthew was further involved in eventing through his passion of sport horse breeding at Caunton Manor Stud, Nottinghamshire.

Our thoughts are with Matthew’s family and friends at this difficult time.

IF YOU’VE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS STORY OR WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES, HERE ARE SOME USEFUL NUMBERS AND LINKS:

Urgent mental health support: If you need access to urgent mental health help, find your local NHS 24/7 crisis line here. Only call 111 if you can’t get help online

Samaritans: Free 24-hour listening support. Call free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org

Shout: Text “SHOUT” to 85258 or visit giveusashout.org

Mind: Call 0300 123 3393, or click here to find available support sources

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): A service for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason. Call 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight), or access a free, anonymous webchat with trained staff here

Papyrus’s HopelineUK: Crisis support for young people. People under 35 can call from 9am to 10pm on weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends. Call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41 or text 07786 209697

Riders Minds: Call 0300 102 1540 or visit ridersminds.org