A HORSE RIDER from Rodborough has described the terrifying moment when she was encircled by a group of dirt bikers.

Amanda Townsend was riding her horse Bazil along the road between Sapperton and Frampton Mansell on Sunday, February 4 when the incident occurred.

She was with her friend Janice Ritchie when the pair heard dirt bikes buzzing in the distance.

“I realised that Bazil seemed a bit uneasy and that is when I saw four or five bikes coming up behind us,” said Amanda.

“When Bazil heard the bikes he took off immediately and began galloping towards Sapperton, which was the wrong direction.

“Luckily for Janice she was a bit further back so her horse wasn’t quite as startled.

“At this point I thought the bike riders would realise what was happening, slow down and maybe turn off their engines.

“Unfortunately this was not the case and I had to keep signalling at them.

“They took no notice and eventually passed us.

“Once the original three or four riders had gone by another one appeared and just like the others he did not listen to my requests for him to slow down.

“He continued at the same pace but when he passed another three riders appeared and at this point I realised they had almost formed a circle around us.

“Finally after they had all passed I was able get Bazil to calm down but he was definitely a bit spooked,”

Amanda has been riding regularly in the area for eight years and can’t think of any similar incidents.

“Normally when I’m riding along the road on Bazil people are very courteous and will follow the recommended rules of the highway code,” she said.

“I’m not sure if the lads on the dirt bikes were deliberately trying to scare me, I think it’s more likely that they couldn’t be bothered to slow down and were busy having fun.

“It was quite sad that none of them showed any concern or even asked if I was okay.

“Thankfully, I remained fairly calm during the incident and was able to keep some control over Bazil.

“Yet it worries me that this kind of occurrence might happen again and have more severe consequences.”

Amanda informed the police of the incident but because no laws were broken they couldn’t do a huge amount to help except give the dirt bike riders a talking to.

However, she is hoping that next time people approach a horse on the road they will do so with care and consideration.