Safe track for riders opens on the Stansted Estate - October 1998
 

   Havant Access ride  - May 2002
 

   Horse safety scheme wins award - June 2002

Discussions between the Hants and West Sussex Borders Bridleway Group and the Stansted Park Foundation will come to fruition with the opening of a permitted track along the Forest-side Road, near Rowlands Castle, tomorrow, Friday.

The volume and speed of traffic using the road has increased in recent years, and the foundation, recog­nising the need to get horses off this potentially dangerous road, has worked together with this bridleways group to pro­vide more than I'/i miles of safer riding.

Head forester Mr Mi­chael Prior said: "We hope everyone will use it and en­joy it. It has been a pleas­ure to be involved with the Hants and West Sussex Borders Bridleways Group from the start in the plan­ning and execution of this project."

He added: "We see this as a model way forward in user groups gaining addi­tional access and recrea­tion in the countryside, without damaging wildlife habitats and unduly affect­ing the landowner's use of the land."

The opening of the Stansted track is an achievement resulting from the good relationship formed between the land­owner and local horse riders. It is hoped that this type of co-operative project will encourage other riders to form groups and speak to landowners where they feel there may be opportu­nities to get horses off the road and link bridleways together.

Costs for the track. were met by fundraising activities organised by the Hants and West Sussex Bridleways Group. These included a pleasure ride, a raffle, person­al donations and a veterinary lecture given in the Little Theatre at Stansted House by Nick Thompson, of Kingley Veterinary Centre.

The remainder of the funds were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture through its Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Stansted's forestry staff contributed free labour to the project in clearing the track and erecting fencing.

Stansted Park is owned and managed by the Stansted Park Foundation, a charita­ble trust charged with the preservation of the estate for the benefit of future genera­tions.

The estate is crossed by many statutory paths, as well as 24.2 miles of permitted paths on which the public can roam on foot for quiet enjoy­ment of the countryside.

The estate's management saw the case put forward for the track for horse riders as a sensible solution to a real problem.

"The Hants and Sussex Borders Bridleways Group has represented its members' view realistically and they have worked hard to establish an understanding for horse riders of their responsibilities to the countryside through planned countryside access and consultation rather than legislation," said an estate spokesperson.

The foundation has im­proved existing bridleways on the estate by widening the tracks and erecting safer, more horse-friendly fencing.
 

"The estate has agreed to open two undesignated tracks as bridleways with permitted use by horse-drawn vehicles, by way of a public path crea­tion and addition to the de­finitive map. However, this is on hold due to the Millennium Group's insistence on apply­ing for them to be byways open to all traffic. Most riders are disappointed that such a positive offer can be blocked by a small minority and are pleased to know the Country­side Commission is reviewing this type of situation," she added.

The British Driving Society, meanwhile, is seeking the same rights as cyclists on bridleways already suitable for horse-drawn vehicles. 

Friday's opening will be celebrated by riders on horse­back, with representatives from the Ministry of Agricul­ture, West Sussex County Council, the South Downs Conservation Board and the British Horse Society among guests.

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A WOMAN whose horse was fatally in­jured in a road accident joined protesters calling for better riding routes.

Almost 20 riders on horseback as well as campaigners on foot made a special journey through busy Havant streets. Protesters say they are sick of competing for space with dangerous traffic - and want more bridleways and better rights of way.

Emsworth woman Barbara Forster was left hospitalised and had her horse killed following a serious car accident.

She said: 'Fortunately I don't remember too much about it but a lorry went right into me and my horse at Barton's Arch, near the Bupa hospital. My horse had three broken legs and had to be de­stroyed. I was carried off to hospital with very nasty facial injuries.

'I was back riding again in about two months with a new horse and I still ride but I have had some very narrow es­capes.

'Most people on the roads are really good - it doesn't take a lot to a horse - but there are always a few idiots. That's why we don't want to have to ride on the roads.'

The street protest, which coincided with the British Horse Society's access week, was organised by the Hampshire and West Sussex Borders Bridleway Group.

Group chairwoman Sue Montila said: 'The aim is to bring to government, local authority and public attention the need for horses to be acknowledged as vulnerable road users..

Portsmouth News – 25^th May 2000

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Petition calls on council to 'think horse'
 

MORE than 200 horse-riders signed a petition calling on Havant council to take more consideration of their needs when making decisions about land use.

The signatures along with an information pack were pre­sented to the chairman of leisure services Councillor Ken Moss (Con, Waterloo).

They were put together by Sue Montila of the Hampshire and West Sussex Borders Bri­dleways Group.

She said: This has been pre­pared in the hope it will assist councillors in making in­formed decisions.

'It is also so horse-riders will be given the same consideration as other vulnerable road uses such as cyclists.'

Cllr Moss said: 'The day is fast approaching where there will be very little land where they will be able to ride their horses in the borough. Havant council are giving very strong consideration to these matters’

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Alec Fry from the British Horse Society presents David Gillett with a Rider Charter Award watched by riders Sue Montila and Czarina Jacobs on (023001-79)

The News 13th June2002

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