article_snippet: The equestrian had devoted ten years to caring for her horse Jake, who her rode in the fields and lanes around her rural village, and had become even more attached to him when her other horse, Elliot, died three years ago.
article_snippet: The equestrian had devoted ten years to caring for her horse Jake (pictured together in 2008), who her rode in the fields and lanes around her rural village, and had became 'very distressed' when he became unwell .
article_snippet: The animal, which had been lame for a few months, had to be put to sleep in November last year, due to an illness called colic, which manifested following an operation on its leg.
article_snippet: However, Ms Lees – a chartered surveyor for Barnsley Council - was unable to cope with the animal's death and took Ms Lees just hours after the horse was put down.
article_snippet: Ms Lees, who was single and had no children, had been unable to ride Jake for more than a year due to Jake ill health and had struggled to cope as Jake watched the animal deteriorate.
article_snippet: Ms Lees, a chartered surveyor who was single, became even more attached to Jake when Jake other horse Elliot (pictured in 2000) died three years ago .
article_snippet: Jake added: 'Jake had a lock of Jake horse's hair in Jake hands'.
article_snippet: Another close friend of Ms Lees, Joanne Weatherall, said: 'Stephanie remained with Jake right up until the point the vet administered the injection.
article_snippet: Police officer Stephen Taylor, from South Yorkshire Police said: 'It was basically saying that Stephanie lived for Stephanie horses and because the horse had been put to sleep Stephanie couldn't cope anymore. '
article_snippet: Recording a verdict of suicide, assistant coroner Julian Fox said: 'Stephanie had been a great lover of horses in particular Stephanie horse Jake, who had been ill with a bad leg.
article_snippet: Stephanie hadn't been able to ride him for 18 months or so. '
article_snippet: It was concluded that sadly Jake needed to be put down.
article_snippet: assistant coroner Julian Fox expressed assistant coroner Julian Fox sympathy to Miss Lees' parents John and Josephine, saying: 'Perhaps in Stephanie mind at last Stephanie is now with the horse Stephanie loved. '
article_snippet: Ms Lees, 42, (pictured riding her horse Jake in 2008) took
article_snippet: Jake had gone lame about 18 months ago and had to be put down the day before. '