Winter died from severe head injuries sustained after falling from his horse on Saturday in Luhmühlen, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the northern German city of Hamburg.

The 25-year-old was participating in a 6500-meter long cross-country course, when he was thrown off his horse, Ispo, at an obstacle.

"It is with distress and deep sadness that we have learned of Benjamin Winter's death. Our deepest sympathies go to his family," organizers said.

Winter is understood to have been a rising star of Eventing, an equestrian event judging dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

He achieved 11th place at the 2011 European Championships in Luhmühlen, and 18th last year in Malmo, Sweden.

There were several other crashes at the same event on Saturday, including the death of a 15-year-old horse belonging to Briton Tom Crisp, from a torn aorta.

jr/hc (dpa, eid)