A University of Connecticut grad was killed at an upstate farm Monday when her horse bucked and threw her — then fell on top of her, state police said.

Samantha Calzone, 23, an animal science graduate and former captain of the equestrian team at UConn, was pronounced dead at the Dutchess County farm shortly before 11 a.m., police announced Tuesday.

Calzone was riding the horse on a family farm on Byrds Hill Road in the town of Dover when she was thrown. Police said it was unclear what prompted the horse to rear.

The Greenwich, Conn., resident, who graduated from UConn last year, was an experienced rider who had spent most of her life around the animals.

Calzone professed her love for riding in an interview last year posted on the Naturally@UConn website, calling the school’s equestrian team “my family and my home for all four years of my college career.”

“I have been riding since I was nine,” she said. “So, continuing that passion in college was such a privilege. I met all of the best friends I have now through being on the team.”

UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said in an email that Calzone “made a strong and lasting impact through her leadership as captain of the UConn Equestrian Team.”

“It is devastating to lose such a promising and dynamic young woman,” Reitz said. “The entire UConn community extends its deepest condolences to her family and friends.”