SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - An expert horse trainer was remembered Tuesday night as a loving person who "could reach out to anyone's heart."
For many who knew 52-year-old Diana Cavendar, she was more than a cowgirl who knew how to prepare taxes. She was a woman of faith with a big smile.
Diana was a native of Escondido who played and refereed soccer, but most of all loved horses. She rode in the Escondido Mounted Posse for six years.
She was married to her husband, Joseph Manrique, for three years after having met in the Escondido Mounted Posse.
"When the tragedy happened it was an accident. I can say with all my heart she did and she lived and she went out with what she loved to do. The short time I had with Diana, I learned a lot and I shared a lot and we shared a lot," said Manrique.
Diana died Saturday in a tragic accident at the Lakeside Western Days Parade after her horse, for some unknown reason, was spooked and slipped - landing on Diana's right leg. Diana hit her head on the pavement, went unconscious and died six-hours later.
"She was a cowgirl from the time she could sit on her pony. I want them to remember how close she was to God," said Diana's mother, Betty Cavendar.
During Tuesday's memorial at the Monthly Mounted Posse's meeting, friends wiped away tears as they listened to stories about Diana.
"I was just honored to be around her," said one of Diana's friends.
A sunset vigil for Diana will be held at the Lakeside site where Diana died. Her public funeral will be May 6th, at Emmanuel Faith Community Church at 5 p.m.