Bigsiqc
New User
I am a horse rider and a motorist. I have been doing both for about 25 years.
As you would expect, whenever I approach a horse on the road I slow down, leave loads of room and if possible freewheel well past the horses before very gently accelerating away.
I have also experienced my fair share of inconsiderate motorists whilst out hacking though thankfully nothing more serious than a near miss has happened.
This year I have noticed a number of ignorant, arrogant and down right aggressive riders who I think are doing us all a dis-service with non riding motorists.
Today I was travelling through a village at less than 20mph when I saw a woman leading a pony on the pavement. As I approached her I had pull out to pass parked cars but was still at least 25 feet away from the pavement she was walking on. When I passed her at walking pace, she started gesticulating and swearing, suggesting I should have pulled over to allow her to walk past. I learnt a word or two! She gave a similar appraisal to the driver of a convertible behind me who had even turned off his radio so as not to alarm the pony! Interestingly, the pony, who was now standing at 90 degrees to the carriageway in the middle of the road, remained as cool as a cucumber and seemed to be taking it all in his stride.
My point is this: If we want Motorists to behave more appropriately to riders, we too have a responsibility to behave in an appropriate way to motorists. I am afraid that this particular woman has done nothing to endear horses and riders to at least two motorists.
Do you agree?
As you would expect, whenever I approach a horse on the road I slow down, leave loads of room and if possible freewheel well past the horses before very gently accelerating away.
I have also experienced my fair share of inconsiderate motorists whilst out hacking though thankfully nothing more serious than a near miss has happened.
This year I have noticed a number of ignorant, arrogant and down right aggressive riders who I think are doing us all a dis-service with non riding motorists.
Today I was travelling through a village at less than 20mph when I saw a woman leading a pony on the pavement. As I approached her I had pull out to pass parked cars but was still at least 25 feet away from the pavement she was walking on. When I passed her at walking pace, she started gesticulating and swearing, suggesting I should have pulled over to allow her to walk past. I learnt a word or two! She gave a similar appraisal to the driver of a convertible behind me who had even turned off his radio so as not to alarm the pony! Interestingly, the pony, who was now standing at 90 degrees to the carriageway in the middle of the road, remained as cool as a cucumber and seemed to be taking it all in his stride.
My point is this: If we want Motorists to behave more appropriately to riders, we too have a responsibility to behave in an appropriate way to motorists. I am afraid that this particular woman has done nothing to endear horses and riders to at least two motorists.
Do you agree?
