Stetson rider thrown to his death

A PROMINENT businessman was killed when his horse bolted at the start of a New Year's Day hunt, it emerged yesterday.

Paul Watson, 61, who was wearing a Stetson hat rather than a protective helmet, was thrown from his agitated horse and struck his head on the road.

He had turned up with his mount only as a spectator for the traditional New Year's Day meeting of the Lauderdale Hunt.

But as the dozen riders and hounds left the Borders town of Lauder, Mr Watson's horse could not be controlled and bolted as it followed them in pursuit.

Mr Watson became unseated as the horse careered south down the main A68 road. As he had not intended to follow the hunt, however, he was not wearing a hard hat and suffered a serious head injury.

He was treated at the scene by a nurse who was part of the hunt and taken to Borders General Hospital near Melrose, where he later died.

One spectator said: "This can only be described as a wretched accident. Paul had turned up with his horse at the meeting point at the town hall at 10am, probably just for the craic as it is a popular tradition in Lauder on New Year's Day.

"He was wearing a stetson instead of a hard hat so he had no intention of following the hunt and was heading back to the trailer which he had brought his horse in.

"But as the main group of riders set off, his horse got spooked and was certainly not co-operating.

"He has then thrown from the horse and struck his head on the kerb. The New Year's Day meet happens every year and there is a great atmosphere as the town turns out to see the horses off. But everyone is devastated at what has happened."

Mr Watson was a well-known member of the farming community in the Borders.

Until recently, he ran the Border Land Rovers motor garage.

He lived with his wife Elspeth on a farm near Earlston, Berwickshire, and the couple have two teenage children.

A statement issued by the Lauderdale Hunt said: "We have learned with sorrow of the death of Mr Paul Watson following a tragic accident which occurred at the New Year's Day Meet at Lauder on Saturday."We understand that Mr Watson had come to the meet on his horse purely as a spectator, intending to return home immediately afterwards.

"Unfortunately, it appears that as the hunt moved off from Lauder Square, Mr Watson's horse became agitated, got out of his control and galloped after the main body of riders along the A68, resulting in his becoming unseated, being thrown from the saddle and striking his head on the roadway.

"Hunt Master Tim Coulson and other hunt members immediately went to his aid a nd summoned medical assistance, which arrived promptly and Mr Watson was taken to Borders General Hospital.

"We are all deeply shocked at this loss of a respected member of the local farming community, and keen supporter and good friend of the hunt, and wish to express our sincere condolences to all members of the late Mr Watson's family in their sudden and tragic bereavement."

Hunt secretary Ian Scott-Aiton added: "Mr Watson had never been out with us before, but he was well known to everyone. This is a terrible tragedy."