A safety campaign is urging motorists to give plenty of space when passing horse riders on the road.
Lynn Mullen, of Turnberry in South Ayrshire, is heading up a localised event of the national 'Pass Wide and Slow' campaign this Saturday in a bid to raise awareness of vulnerable road users.
The 52-year-old was prompted to take part after her eight-year-old granddaughter Brooke Pitt became frightened while out on her pony, Chance, on a country road near the village when an impatient driver whizzed by them.
Lynn, who has owned horses since she was five, said: “I had been riding with my granddaughter and twice we had a hysteric child because two people were far too close and cut us off.
“One was a tractor and the other a Land Rover.
“With the tractor, we had pulled into a bit of road so we weren’t on the road, but he never slowed down as he came by.
“My eight-year-old granddaughter got such a fright she didn’t even ride home that day. Her brother had to ride the pony home.
“As an adult you just deal with what you get but it’s when you see a child as frightened as that."
Lynn will be joined by a team of equestrians and supporters as they take on a walk and ride around Culzean Country Park.
Attendees will park at Shanter runway before riding down to Maidens harbour car park for an 11am start.
The group will then ride along the front of Maidens, up through Dunabie’s Caravan site, and around the park before enjoying a bite to eat at the end, provided by Pete’s Cafe in Maidens.
Walkers and dogs are invited to join the event.
Lynn added: “We ride the B-road most of the time, which is classed as a 60mph road if it’s safe to do it.
“If you can imagine a single track road and you’re riding a horse and something is coming towards you at speed, even with your reflectors on.
“So it’s to bring awareness that there are vulnerable road users out there – be it a walker, a cyclist, motorcyclist and us on horses – and to give us that wee bit extra room.
“Our horses can be bombproof but a horse is a living animal and has a brain of its own.
“We need people to realise how many horses and riders are hurt or killed every year on the road.”
Lynn has thanked those who have donated towards the campaign, including David Kerr Agricultural Builders, Merkland Farm Feeds in Kirkoswald, and John Paterson Agricultural Hire, to provide hi-vis vests and rosettes to riders on the day, as well as food.
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