INTERNATIONAL event rider Bruno Bouvier has been killed in cross-country fall at Barroca D'Alva horse trials in Portugal this weekend.

The 60-year-old French event rider had a rotational fall at fence five of the cross-country phase while riding Arcilloso III in the CIC** competition.

Bruno suffered fatal injuries, his horse was not injured.

"On behalf of the whole sport, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Bruno Bouvier's family and to all his friends in the equestrian world," said Barroca d'Alva event director Nicholas Melbourne Hart and president of the ground jury Jose Miguel Mexia de Almeida.

Bruno had competed at Badminton, Blenheim and Burghley.

The FEI said a police inquiry had been launched into the accident.