A WOMAN was flown by air ambulance to hospital after she was crushed by her own horse during a hunt.

Jenny Rooke, aged 45, was out yesterday afternoonwith the Sinnington Hunt between Harome and Wombleton, near Kirkbymoorside, , when the accident happened.

After being thrown from her horse, Mrs Rooke was then crushed as the animal fell on top of her.

She was taken to York District Hospital suffering abdominal and chest injuries.

Bridget Till, joint master of the Sinnington Hunt, said Mrs Rooke, who farms at Beadlam Grange, Norton, was thrown from her horse as the hunt was making its way across fields.

"The horse bucked and threw her off its back before landing on top of her," she said.

"I wasn't there at the time so I didn't see what happened, but I understand she was in a great deal of pain.

"She was airlifted to hospital and it appears she has broken two ribs."

Joint master Andrew Osbourne, who was out with the hunt yesterday, praised the speedy actions of the air ambulance.

"We were in a pretty isolated location and the emergency services were very quick and helpful. On behalf of the hunt, I'd like to thank them for their actions," he said.

An air ambulance spokeswoman said the helicopter was dispatched after a conventional ambulance had failed to negotiate fields en route.

The spokeswoman said: "The woman had suffered quite serious injuries because not only had she fallen off her horse, but the horse had then toppled on to her."

A spokesman for York District Hospital said Mrs Rooke was in a "comfortable and satisfactory" condition.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, January 24, 2002