A HIGH-VISIBILITY awareness ride has taken place to highlight a campaign aimed at improving horse rider safety.

The Canewdon Equestrian group was set up after a horse was tragically killed last year in Lark Hill Road, Rochford.

Laura Thorogood was knocked off her horse Angel when a car crashed into the back of them while she was out riding in the road. Angel had to be put down by a vet attending the scene of the collision.

Since then, the equestrian community has come together to try to make sure such a tragedy is never repeated.

As well as meeting councillors and collecting signatures for a petition to reduce the speed limit, they organised a large group ride to raise awareness about how to behave around vulnerable road users, including horse riders, walkers and cyclists.

Campaigner Claire Lilly, of Althorne Way, Canewdon, said: “It was a huge success and we had overwhelming support,which was fantastic.”

The ride, which formed part of a national event called Ride Out, started in Hockley Woods before making its way through Hockley village, with the support of Essex Police.

Claire added: “For the first time ever, we had police presence throughout the ride which really helped and we were so grateful to the community policing team for their support.

“I contacted Detective Chief Inspector Jon Burgess from Essex Police who rides so is well aware of the plight we face and he kindly offered to send an officer down to help us.

“Essex has one of the highest equestrian populations in the country and also has the highest number of incidents, so it was great the police have come on board as well.”

The event was attended by 40 people on foot and 25 riders, all wearing high-visibility clothing.

They handed out leaflets and put up posters advising motorists in the area how to pass horses and cyclists on the road.

Claire added: “Our campaign is about representing all vulnerable road users, not just horse riders. Laura’s horse could have easily been a cyclist.

“We want to unite people. At the moment, there is a lot of divide and sometimes resentment between horse riders, cyclists, drivers and other users but we should be looking out for each other.

“The road belongs to all of us and we should be able to share it safely.”

The campaign has recently encouraged Essex County Council to launch an external investigation into reducing the speed limit in Lark Hill Road, where Laura’s horse was killed.

Claire added: “We wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much in such a short space of time without the support the public and local councillors.”