William Fox-Pitt has led the tributes to French international eventer Bruno Bouvier, who died at a competition in Portugal on Saturday.
Bouvier, 60, suffered fatal injuries in a rotational fall while competing at a two-star event in Barroca d'Alva, the Federation Equestre International confirmed.
"Mr Bouvier and the 10-year-old gelding Arcilloso III had a rotational fall at fence five, a triple brush, which resulted in fatal injuries to the rider," the FEI said, in a statement.
"The horse was uninjured in the fall.
"At every FEI event, the maximum consideration is given to the safety and welfare of riders and horses."
Barroca d'Alva event director Nicholas Melbourne Hart and president of the ground jury Jose Miguel Mexia de Almeida expressed their regret.
"On behalf of the whole sport, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bruno Bouvier's family and to all his friends in the equestrian world," they said.
British Olympian Fox-Pitt expressed his sympathy on Twitter for a rider who had competed regularly in Britain, riding at prestigious events such as Badminton, Burghley and Blenheim.
"Devastating news of Bruno Bouvier's fatal fall in Portugal yesterday," Fox-Pitt said.
"One of eventing's real characters, a true example of dedication and passion, whose enthusiasm was infectious.
"He will leave a massive hole on the circuit, and my deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."
