Young rider's plea to drivers after near-miss

Evie was riding her horse Dixie when a passing car revved its engine, causing the horse to buck

A Kent girl is urging drivers to be more cautious and respectful of horse riders on the roads.

Evie, from Canterbury, was riding her horse Dixie when a passing car revved its engine, causing the horse to buck.

The eight-year-old, who was injured as she got her foot stuck in the front of the car, is now calling for greater awareness from drivers.

Rules for drivers passing horses are in the Highway Code, but the British Horse Society says the number of incidents in the South East is on the rise.

Evie's mother, Chantelle, said: "Even now she seems quite confident up there, but when a car comes up behind her on the road I have to literally pin her in the hedge because you can see she shakes.

"It's not fair, she does this because she enjoys it. It's obvious it's a child on a pony, you should be a bit more respectful for that."

Riding instructor Louise Edwards says she spends less time riding on roads than she used to

The Highway Code states drivers should slow to a maximum of 10mph (16km/h) when passing a horse and allow at least two metres (6.5ft) of space.

But riding instructor Louise Edwards has reduced her time riding on road as a result of such incidents, stating: "Drivers don't know what to do around horses, particularly in this corner of the country now the roads are getting busier and busier."

The British Horse Society says 299 incidents occurred in the South East in 2024 - a 9% increase from 2023.