Riders set off for awareness-raising journey across Berkshire

An awareness ride is taking place from Monday 12 to Friday 16 May to remind drivers to slow down, give space and to take care around horses. The British Horse Society’s DEAD SLOW campaign and Project EDWARD (Every Day without a Road Death) have collaborated in a ride to help drivers understand what it is like to be on a horse on the road and the reasons why it is important to follow Rule 215 of the Highway Code.

The rule, introduced in 2022, encourages drivers to slow down to 10mph and to give two metres’ space around horses, as well as being patient, not revving engines, sounding the horn or making other loud noises.

The team of riders comprises Alan Hiscox and Des Payne from the BHS, Virginia Ellis from NRPOII and James Luckhurst from Project EDWARD.

Keep in touch with the journey HERE.

Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety for the BHS, said: “The numbers are alarming; 58 horses were killed on the roads in 2024. We attend many events around the country where we talk to drivers and our estimate is that at best awareness of the Highway Code guidance on how to pass horses safely is at 5%. The BHS Horse i App where equestrian incidents are recorded finds that around 30% of drivers use road rage and abuse towards equestrians on the road as well as 81% passing too close and too fast. This ride aims to change all that.”

The ride, which involves three horses over the five-day period, commences at Lambourn gallops in West Berkshire on Monday 12 May and concludes on Friday 16th May in the arena of the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Lambourn was chosen as the starting point for the ride, as the racehorse Knockalla was killed on the road there in 2024 by a car driver going too fast. The riding team Riders will be escorted by a Land Rover Defender.

Anthony Bradbury Communications and Insight Director of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “There was no doubt that we would show solidarity with this ride. Road safety is of paramount importance to us here at Defender and we’re also delighted to be able to transport all the equipment and individuals organising the ride.”

During the week, Project EDWARD and the BHS are also launching a training resource for police officers whose role is to review video footage of unsafe behaviour submitted by riders and other roads users through the scheme known as Operation Snap. The resource is designed to provide an understanding of what it is like to be on a horse on the road as well as achieving consistency among all police forces in how different offences are dealt with.

A number of well-known jockeys, including Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand, Tom Scudamore, Jim Crowley and the trainer of Knockalla Tom Ward, are all supporting the ride. Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes the BBC sports presenter is joining the ride and making a programme about the experience for Horse and Country TV. British Horse Society President Martin Clunes will be at Windsor to show his support, and the riding team will be meeting MPs Lee Dillon and Jack Rankin during the journey.