Equestrian, 16, dies in fall from horse

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - April 26, 2008 Caitlin Ciquero, 16, of Warrington, died Friday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital, a day after the fall at Heaven's Gate Farm in Plumstead.

Ciquero, who was wearing a helmet, died of a head injury, according to Lehigh County coroner Scott Grim.

An excited Ciquero had posted a note on the farm's Web site earlier Thursday, saying she was coming to ride that afternoon because she had gotten straight A's on her report card.

"She's a wonderful, a wonderful young lady. She had lots of friends," said Principal Rodney Stone of Central Bucks South High School, where Ciquero was a junior.

The 6 p.m. accident occurred after the horse started to speed up inside the riding ring, Plumstead Police Chief Duane Hasenauer said. Some witnesses thought Ciquero fell while others thought she was trying to jump off, he said.

The teen was unconscious when authorities arrived.

Ciquero was riding the horse for the first time, Heaven's Gate Farm owner Beverly Flynn said.

She been riding for nine years and had participated in horse shows, her mother said.

Ciquero had noted on her driver's permit that she wanted to be an organ donor, a decision she had discussed with her mother, Kelly Capobianco.

After learning of her death, friends called the teen's cell phone Friday afternoon to hear her voice, Capobianco said.

Ciquero, who took cosmetology courses and hoped to own a hair salon someday, worked as a shampooer at Salon Zen in Warrington.

"She was everybody's favorite," Capobianco said.

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Information from: The Intelligencer, http://www.phillyburbs.com

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