HORSE riders determined to drive down drivers speeds have taken part in a national campaign to raise awareness of safety.

The Ride Wide and Slow is an annual event which aims to educate drivers on the best way to pass horses and riders on the road.

This year’s campaign saw 187 groups take to the streets in the UK with one ride setting off from Eden’s Farmhouse in Great Bentley.

The ride was organised by Jane Hubert, 52, who passed through the villages of Great Bentley and Aingers Green along with 13 other riders and pedestrians.

To ensure the safety of the riders, the group marked their route with orange and yellow balloons and they also wore high-vis equipment.

Riders have also spread the word about keeping a safe distance of minimum two metres, while passing horses at a speed no higher than 15mph.

Mrs Hubert highlighted the importance of the event - and the need to reduce drivers’ speed.

She said: “We ride those roads because we don’t have any off-road riding in Bentley.

“You get impatient people who don’t want to wait behind you so they speed past you.

“By drivers passing wide and slow we are reducing the element of risk.”

Mrs Hubert said there were no incidents reported during the day and the riders even stopped at Great Bentley’s Fusilier pub for a quick refreshment.

The group has also held a raffle in support of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance , with a high-visibility waistcoat and hat band donated by Equisafety, which helped them raise £40.

Mrs Hubert added: “We would like to thank the drivers through the village on the day for their courtesy, patience, and care whilst we were riding.

“We had fun, stopped to speak to pedestrians who took advantage of the horse stroking opportunity and were pleased to be able to take part in the national event.”

According to the British Horse Society, there have been more than 1,000 road accidents involving horses over the past year.

Of these, 46 horses have died with further 130 people and 180 horses being injured.

The society also reported that 45 per cent of riders were victims to road rage or abuse last year, with 80 per cent of incidents taking place because a car passed by too closely to the horse.

Visit bhs.org.uk for more information on the issue.