What started as a routine hack turned into a nightmare for equestrian Christina Campbell when she and her horse Raffles encountered a group of 20 teenagers on mopeds racing recklessly down Mayles Lane in Funtley, Fareham. Now, she’s speaking out to raise awareness about the dangers riders face on public roads.
A Frightening Encounter
Christina was riding Karen Ludford’s 16hh cob Raffles when she first heard the unmistakable sound of engines approaching from behind. “It sounded like a lot of motorbikes,” she recalled. “Normally, that wouldn’t bother me—most motorcycle riders are very aware of horses and courteous. They usually slow down or even stop.” But this group was different.
“Then 20 mopeds came around the blind bend at extremely high speed,” Christina explained. “I waved my arm to ask them to slow down, but they came very close behind Raffles, revving their engines aggressively. One rider even tried to overtake us. Raffles became distressed, and when I asked them to stop, they shouted abuse at me.”
A Dangerous High-Speed Chase
The situation escalated quickly as the group of riders—who appeared to be around 16 or 17 years old—raced alongside Raffles as he galloped away in panic. “It was genuinely scary,” Christina admitted. “All I could think about was Raffles and keeping him safe. Anything could have happened in that moment. He could have slipped on a drain cover or panicked even more.”
Fortunately, Christina managed to steer Raffles into a nearby housing estate where a quick-thinking cyclist witnessed the chaos and stayed with her until the mopeds had disappeared. “I honestly don’t know what I would have done if they’d followed me into the estate,” she said.
Raffles’ Response and What Could Have Been
While Raffles wasn’t physically injured, the incident highlights just how vulnerable horses and riders are on public roads. “Raffles is a very sensible horse—he’s not a plodder, but he has a calm temperament,” Christina noted. “He recovered quickly after the incident, which is fortunate.”
However, she’s deeply concerned about what could have happened differently. “I’m a confident, experienced rider, but I have my own mare at home, and if I’d been riding her that day, the outcome could have been completely different,” she said. “I hate to think what would have happened if a novice rider had been involved, or if the road had been busier with traffic.”
A Call for Road Safety Awareness
Christina’s experience is a sobering reminder of the dangers equestrians face on public roads. While most vehicle operators respect horses and take appropriate precautions, incidents like this show that not everyone shares that courtesy—or awareness of the serious risks they create.
For riders hacking out on public roads, this story underscores the importance of vigilance, safety gear, and being prepared to react quickly to unexpected threats. And for everyone sharing the road with horses, it’s a powerful reminder that a horse is a prey animal that can be unpredictably frightened by loud noises and aggressive behavior.
Have you experienced dangerous encounters while riding? Consider reporting incidents to local authorities and sharing your experiences to help raise awareness about road safety for equestrians in your community.