Devastated rider’s call for change after horse’s leg broken in hit and run
The devastated owner of a horse who had to be put down at the roadside after a collision with a car that failed to stop hopes his legacy may be action taken to improve horse and riders’ safety.
Annetta Earthy’s beloved Dutch warmblood Fairfax suffered a broken leg when the car hit him last Thursday afternoon (12 March).
Annetta told H&H she heard the car approaching from behind.
“I thought ‘oh my god, he’s not going to slow down’,” she said.
“The car must have been doing 25 to 30mph and he or she – I don’t know – didn’t slow down at all. Then I felt a thud.”
Annetta stayed in the saddle and was unhurt but when she dismounted, she saw 14-year-old Fairfax was on three legs, holding up his off hind. The car had driven away.
“I knew something was drastically wrong,” she said. “I called the vet, and Wilf Bowman Ripley from Ashfields [Carriage and Polo Club] and asked him to come immediately with a trailer.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“But he couldn’t get Fairfax to walk. He was examined by two vets; mine and one who happened to be passing, and we had to put him to sleep by the road.”
Annetta and her sister Katie Isaacs are now urging other riders to sign a petition calling on the government to make drivers abide by sections of the Highway Code relating to horses, by law.
“We’re really trying to push this petition,” Annetta said. “He was the sweetest, kindest boy and a member of the family. We’re all devastated but there could be something good to come out of this if we can get more people to sign; it could be his legacy.”
Annetta is also keen to identify the driver. She has reported the incident to police and had a generic response but feels “frustrated” at the lack of action, especially as local CCTV shows a small car she believes is the one responsible for the incident.
Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101.
H&H has contacted the force for comment.
Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
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.