It was a tragic accident when Diana Cavender, 52, expert equestrian rider and trainer died of traumatic brain injuries after her horse spooked, losing its footing and falling to the ground. Cavender hit her head on the pavement, leaving her unconscious and was sent to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died several hours later. Cavender had just finished performing with the Escondido Mounted Posse at the 51st Annual Lakeside Western Days Parade and was headed towards the staging area.
It was a tragic accident when Diana Cavender, 52, expert equestrian rider and trainer died of traumatic brain injuries after her horse spooked, losing its footing and falling to the ground. Cavender hit her head on the pavement, leaving her unconscious and was sent to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died several hours later. Cavender had just finished performing with the Escondido Mounted Posse at the 51st Annual Lakeside Western Days Parade and was headed towards the staging area. It is unknown what spooked the horse, and her horse was not injured in the accident.
A candlelight memorial was planned for April 26 in Lakeside at 7:15 p.m. at the corner of Channel Road and Mapleview Avenue in Lakeside.
Cavender, a member of the Escondido Mounted Posse for six years, had appeared in nearly 50 parades. According to City News Service, this is the first fatal accident in the Posse’s nearly 50-year history, founded in 1948. Her husband and 17 horses survive Cavender.
