AN inquest into the death of a nine-year old girl killed when she fell from her pony during a Cotswold Hunt meeting was adjourned - despite her family wanting it to go ahead.

Bonnie Armitage was riding a Shetland pony when she fell and is then believed to have been kicked by another rider's horse during the hunt at Miserden, near Stroud on Saturday, April 2.

Today Gloucestershire coroner Katie Skerrett gathered together lawyers representing her family, the Hunt and and the other rider, Toti Gifford, to discuss the issues that will be considered at the full inquest.

Barrister Tom Leeper, representing Bonnie's parents Nick and Polly Armitage, told the coroner the family would like the inquest to be concluded today.

But he said he understood that may not be logistically possible because there were other inquests also to be heard in today's list.

"If it cannot be held today we would like it at the earliest possible opportunity and not to have to wait the outcome of other investigations you are aware of," he told the coroner.

He was referring to the fact that a separate investigation is being carried out by Stroud District Council, which has an interest because the hunt was a paid-for public event.

Richard Shepherd, a Bristol-based barrister representing the Hunt, said "There is an investigation ongoing by Stroud Council and who knows what the result of that investigation will be.

"I don't envisage any expert evidence being required at the inquest but there is a chance that investigation might make a difference."

The coroner asked all the lawyers to make written submissions to her on whether the inquest should be delayed pending the outcome of the council enquiry.

She also asked for submissions on whether it is legally mandatory for her to have a jury for the inquest rather than hear it alone.

The lawyers were given until September 20 to make their submissions.

The coroner said she intended to call four people to give evidence at the inquest - a police detective inspector, a pathologist, and two witnesses who had a 'limited view' of the tragedy occurring.

The evidence of ten other witnesses would be read from their statements, she said.

She told the lawyers she would try to arrange the full inquest for a date between October and February.

An inquest opening heard she went into cardiac arrest after she was kicked in the chest by another rider’s horse during the hunt.

She was unconscious when she fell from her saddle and despite CPR being carried out, she died in hospital, the coroner’s officer said.

Her parents, deputy headteacher Nick and professional flute player Polly, issued a tribute to their 'beautiful little girl' and said no-one was to blame for her death.

Bonnie was a pupil at St Hugh's preparatory school in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, where her father Nick is deputy head. Mother Polly is a professional flute player.

Their statement after her death said: "She was a beautiful, vivacious and compassionate girl, who touched the hearts of everyone who knew her.

'She loved riding, and was never happier than when with her Shetland pony, Lindsay.

'We will miss her more than we can say, and we greatly value the prayers of so many of our friends.'