Plea: slow down to pass horses (From Stroud News and Journal)

Plea: slow down to pass horses

AN-OFF duty police woman has warned drivers to be more careful when passing horse riders after she was involved in a collision with a car.

Carrie Vinson, 22, from Rodborough took out her 4-year-old horse Safa for a regular early morning exercise along a quiet route in Thrupp Lane on Thursday.

Moments later she was left shocked and upset as a car drove straight into her. Carrie and Safa were almost completely knocked off their feet.

"I thought I was going to come off. I was so shocked and frightened," said a tearful Carrie. Fortunately she was able to use all her riding experience to steady her traumatised horse.

"I managed to steady Safa but if my horse had been smaller I would have landed on the windscreen of the car," she said.

She was left shaken with bruising to her left arm. Safa suffered bruised ribs and a haematoma and Carrie had to call the vet out.

"Drivers need to slow down and show more care and attention when passing riders and give us as much room as possible," said Carrie. The driver of the car stopped and police were called.

The accident has come as a double blow to Carrie who had intended to take Safa to a trial show in Bristol in preparation for the popular Three Counties show in Malvern next month.

"My horse will now have to miss both events which is extremely disappointing for both of us."