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Between 120 and 160 horses and ponies
are kept in the vicinity of Hurst and there are just three short bridleways,
all of them intersected by busy roads.
The Hurst Riders Club was set up 10 years ago as a result of the increasing
pressure on horse riders from the increase in traffic around the area. The club is
open to anyone keeping a horse in this area. The club’s primary aim is to provide
safe off road riding and secondly to promote riding and road safety awareness to
all of its members, many of them young. The club rents and maintains a four-acre
field in Green Lane where riders can ride in safety. This facility is kindly
provided by Mr Mackenzie-Wallis and thanks to his generosity has been a safe
haven for the past 5 years.
However riders still have use the roads to
get to the field so all members are
encouraged, and subsidised, to take the
British Horse Society riding and road
safety test. This ensures at the very least,
that riders are aware of the rules of the
road and have been taught the safest way
to cross busy road junctions.
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The HRC committee has also been
working with local landowners to set up a network of off road routes to lessen
the need for riding on the roads, which is a truly hazardous experience these
days. Local riders experience quite a lot of anger from drivers whose first
reaction is to blame the rider for ‘being there’; somehow the mere sight of a rider
on a horse seems to antagonise some drivers. As a direct result, the HRC
promotes to its members the importance of wearing high visibility clothing and
also the value in thanking drivers who show consideration. A driver who is
thanked is more likely to give a wide berth at a slower speed the next time they
encounter a rider on the road.
The HRC also gets involved in fun events throughout the year, such as the
show jumping challenge, which keeps youngster busy through the winter when
most horse activities go into hibernation. The fact that Hurst has won this
challenge 3 out of the last 4 maybe the reason enthusiasm for this event is
maintained. The club also organises an annual BBQ beach ride to Hayling Island
and a summer rounders match and BBQ closer to home.
For membership details or further information, contact Cathy Lochman on
934 xxxx.
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