KEY POINTS:
A top horse rider died mysteriously 48 hours after beating Mark Todd to a coveted title.
Denise Crispe, 34, was found dead in her bed by her mother on Monday morning, shocking New Zealand's equestrian community.
Her death was believed to be a case of "adult cot death", a devastated Diane Crispe told the Herald on Sunday.
The death completes a double blow for the sport, after fellow rider and Denise's best friend, Tara Groenstein, was killed by a drink-driver last November.
Denise died less than 48 hours after completing a victory lap on her chesnut mount Time'll Tell.
She was "on cloud nine" after beating Todd and other top riders to win Open Show Hunter of the Year at the Hastings Horse of the Year competition, said Diane.
Her death was being investigated by the coroner but may never be explained, she said.
"They are doing more tests, but at this stage they think she just died in her sleep.
"The coroner has said there was nothing wrong with her heart, no brain tumour or anything. It's a bit like an adult cot death."
Diane went to wake her daughter at the family's home in Waiuku, south of Auckland, when she did not get up for work early on Monday morning.
"I know she was exhausted. We had a celebratory glass of wine on Sunday night and she went off to bed at 8.50pm... when I went to wake her... the boys gave the CPR but there was nothing anyone could do."
Yesterday long-time family friend Alison Davies spoke of her disbelief of losing a "special" lady.
Denise was still hurting over the death of her best friend and credited Tara with helping her win last week's coveted title.
"I spoke to her last Sunday night. She said 'I had an angel riding on my shoulder'."
Another friend, Elizabeth Charleston, said the equestrian community had been robbed of a tireless worker and a "lovely person".
"Winning the highest accolade in her sport on Saturday... and then to be dead on Monday - it just isn't fair.
"She'll be in heaven with Tara now, designing show hunter courses."
More than 500 mourners gathered at the Franklin A&P Showgrounds on Thursday to farewell Denise.
Her horses Oscar, aka Time'll Tell, and Platt led the funeral procession while her two dogs formed the rearguard.
Denise was a respected competitor and judge in New Zealand horse riding. She was an Equestrian Sports New Zealand Show Hunter delegate and chairwoman of the Auckland Show Hunter Group.
Horse of the Year show director Kevin Hansen said the honour of winning Show Hunter of the Year was achieved by few riders.
"This tragic ending of a talented life is very sad for us all."
