A rider who ended up in a ditch under her horse after he was spooked by a car passing too fast is backing a new road safety campaign.
Alyson Lock said she and her part-bred thoroughbred Mylo were lucky not to have been more badly hurt. But not everyone is, and it is incidents such as this that inspired welfare charity Blue Cross to launch its “Blue Cross Code”.
Mylo jumped sideways into the ditch in Suffolk two years ago when a driver ignored Alyson’s repeated pleas to slow down. She ruptured a hamstring in the fall and Mylo hurt his back but both have fully recovered.
“We were lucky that day,” she said. “But not everyone is. Greater awareness for both riders and drivers is vital to help stop more accidents like mine.”
The Blue Cross Code, reminiscent of the Green Cross Code road safety tips for pedestrians, is a guide that “offers essential safety tips for both horse riders and drivers on sharing the road responsibly”.
TV presenter Ben Fogle, who has had “frightening and unacceptable” near-misses riding on the roads, is backing the campaign.
“The Blue Cross Code is a vital initiative, helping to educate both drivers and riders on how to safely share the road,” he said. “With greater awareness, we can prevent accidents and protect lives – both human and animal.”
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The launch of the code comes before the May school half-term holiday. Blue Cross horse team development lead Ruth Court said: “With holiday traffic increasing, we want to remind everyone that even a small misjudgment around a horse can have devastating consequences. This new guidance helps both drivers and riders take practical steps to stay safe.”
The advice for drivers includes a reminder of the changes to the Highway Code on passing horses safely, and highlights the need for vigilance and patience. The tips for riders include the importance of wearing high-vis gear and appropriate training of horses.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
