A horse and rider who fell on to a road after the horse was spooked by a car were left in the carriageway as vehicles drove around them.
The incident was one of a number recently that prompted police in Epsom to urge drivers to slow down, take more care and leave extra time when crossing the Downs.
“We were back up at Epsom Downs early this morning following further incidents reported near to the Pegasus crossings including last week where a horse and rider who had been spooked by a car, fell on to the road and vehicles continued to drive around them while they were in the carriageway (through a red light),” said a statement from Surrey Police’s Epsom and Ewell team yesterday (22 September).
A spokesman for Surrey Police told H&H today (23 September) that police were made aware of a horse being spooked by a car on Downs Road in Epsom at around 9am on 14 September, causing the rider to be thrown.
“PCSOs located the rider and horse at a local stables and called in to check their welfare. There were no injuries,” the spokesman added.
⚠️ Tailgating then overtaking an unmarked police car due to running late for work = 3 points and £100 fine – (Fir Tree…Posted by Epsom and Ewell Beat (Surrey Police) on Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Yesterday’s statement also urged pedestrians to take care at the Pegasus crossing — a push-button controlled crossing designed for use by riders as well as pedestrians — and wait for the green light after police witnessed a “near miss” between someone on foot and a van last week.
The force gave information for drivers as to how to safely pass horses on or near the road.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“If you are a horse rider, please also report all near-misses and incidents on the road to the BHS [British Horse Society] for their stats,” it added.
“#addthreeminutes to your journey if you are travelling over the Downs.”
The force also encouraged anyone interested in volunteering for the community speed watch focused on these “vulnerable areas” to email 12670@surrey.pnn.police.uk.
“If you have an interest in creating your own community speedwatch group in another location, please contact your local casualty reduction officer,” the statement added.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
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
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
