Gennie Psaila, the 50-year-old wife of former national football team coach Pippo Psaila, died yesterday when she fell off her horse while training for show jumping in Magħtab.

Mrs Psaila was described by those who knew her as a dedicated rider - she had been training for the upcoming equestrian season that opens in October.

The former coach said he was "disoriented" and "devastated" by the sudden death of his wife.

The accident happened at around 8.30 a.m. while Mrs Psaila was riding in the training arena, a large field of gravel and sand, in the environs of the Magħtab Stables on the outskirts of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.

According to the stables owner, she did not have an instructor at the time but there were two other riders training in the arena. The horse is believed to have bolted, sending Mrs Psaila crashing to the ground. She died instantly.

A magisterial inquiry was held on site and an autopsy is expected to be carried out today.

Mrs Psaila turned 50 on June 6 and the horse was a birthday gift from her husband.

This was Mrs Psaila's third horse. Her first died around two years ago after it collapsed while her second mare died when it was hit by a truck in Magħtab around a year ago.

"She loved horses and even helped set up the equestrian association. She was training for dressage," Mr Psaila said when contacted.

"We knew each other for 35 years," he said, pausing for a long breath, "and we've been married for 26."

The couple had just returned from a long holiday together.

His voice breaking, in contrast to his usual calm, Mr Psaila said Gennie meant everything to him. "The children are shattered," he added.

Neil, the eldest, is 23 years old and was recently nominated by the equestrian association to compete in the forthcoming Trapani Mediterranean Friendship games. His brother Simon is 20 years old.

The news of Gennie's death shocked the sporting community, which was still recovering from the shock death of cyclist Cliff Micallef in a road accident last week.

Lifecyclist Maria Vella Galea, writing in the Lifecycle blog on timesofmalta.com, said she had a "heavy heart" having known both Mr Micallef and Mrs Psaila.

As the Lifecycle team made its final preparations before embarking on its gruelling journey, Ms Vella Galea said that "not making it to the finish, on two wheels, has lost its importance".

"In less than a week I have lost two friends."

Dunstan Vella, a horseman and a friend of Mrs Psaila, described her as a family woman, who was very dynamic and hard-working in riding clubs. She used to ride her mare every morning and, although she started riding late in life, was very ambitious and keen to learn.

Mr Vella said she was also very supportive of her husband, and canvassed for him when he contested last year's general election on the Nationalist Party's ticket.

Mrs Psaila was one of the founding members of the Malta Equestrian Federation and president Ronald Gaerty said she was also the driving force behind the Magħtab Riding Club, where she trained.

"She was a very serious lady who was keen on sport and always made sure that everything was done according to the rules," a shocked Mr Gaerty said.

He described Mrs Psaila as "irreplaceable", adding that she had recently taken a course to become an equestrian coach.

Kim Ohk, who used to keep her horse in Magħtab, described Mrs Psaila as helpful, friendly and courageous.

Messages of condolences poured in for the Psaila family, including on timesofmalta.com, describing Mrs Psaila as a wonderful woman with an outgoing personality.

The Malta Sport Council, the Malta Olympic Committee, the three major political parties and various sport organisations expressed their condolences in statements.

Mrs Psaila's accident was the third involving horses this year.

In February, 22-year-old jockey Sarah Borg suffered a life-threatening injury when she fell off her horse during a race. But despite the serious head trauma, the daughter of former Maltasong chairman Grace Borg recovered well.

A month later, a 23-year-old Pietà woman fell off a horse while riding in Qormi's Wied is-Sewda.

In previous horse accidents, Frederick Dalli, from Luqa, had a lucky escape in May 2005, when he was riding a sulky in his hometown. The horse left the road after a car sped close by, falling into a pit as it stepped onto the centre strip.

In June 2003 two people were injured and a horse had to be put down following a riding accident in Pembroke. Natasha Grixti, then 28, suffered serious head injuries after falling off her horse when it collided into another horse, ridden by 43-year-old Alfred Mallia, which was stationary. Mr Mallia suffered slight injuries. Even former French ambassador Didier Destremau had a riding incident in 2002, when he was flung off his horse while riding in Bidnija, just before leaving Malta.

Two years before, a 16-year-old was kicked by a bolting horse.