Miss Universe Australia finalist dies at 23 in horseback riding accident

Miss Universe Australia finalist, Sienna Weir, has died at the age of 23 after a horseback riding accident, according to a statement by her agency, Scoop Management, on Thursday.

The accident reportedly occurred on April 2 at the Windsor Polo Grounds in Sydney, when her horse fell. Weir was taken to the hospital and remained on life support for several weeks until her passing.

Weir held a double degree in English literature and psychology from Sydney University.

Weir’s passion for show jumping was evident to those who knew her. She traveled to rural Sydney two to three times a week to train and competed around New South Wales and broader Australia every other weekend.

In a previous interview with Gold Coast Magazine, she spoke about her deep love for the sport and how she had been riding horses since she was just three years old. She said that she couldn’t imagine her life without it.

The modeling industry is mourning her loss. Australian photographer, Chris Dwyer, expressed his grief on Instagram, calling Weir “one of the kindest souls in the world” and saying that the world was now a “lot darker” without her.