An awareness-raising ride involving two horses and a team of four riders is scheduled for next week, from May 12 to May 16. James Luckhurst, GEM’s head of road safety, will participate in this event.
The ride will start at Lambourn Gallops in West Berkshire on May 12 and conclude at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 16. It is organised in collaboration with the British Horse Society’s ‘Dead Slow’ campaign and Project EDWARD, emphasising the importance of Rule 215 of the Highway Code. This rule, introduced in 2022, advises drivers to reduce speed to 10 mph and maintain a two-meter distance from horses.
This initiative was inspired by the tragic death of a three-year-old racehorse, Knockalla, who was killed last year by a speeding vehicle. In 2024, 58 horses were killed and 97 were injured in road incidents, with 81% of these fatalities caused by close or fast-passing vehicles.
The ride will be sent off by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber and welcomed at Windsor by British Horse Society President Martin Clunes. The team will discuss road safety with MPs Lee Dillon and Jack Rankin.
James founded Project EDWARD in 2016 to enhance the understanding of horse safety on roads. He emphasizes the importance of drivers giving horses ample space to prevent accidents.
You can follow the ride’s progress on social media or at https://projectedward.org/bhs/lambourn-to-windsor-ride/.
GEM’s tips for safely passing a horse and rider:
- Slow down to a maximum of 10 mph when you see a horse.
- Pass wide and slowly, maintaining at least two meters of distance.
- Be patient; do not honk or rev your engine, as this can startle the horse.
- Only pass when safe, and stop if the rider signals.
- Use extra caution near child riders and heed the riders’ hand signals.
