HORSE riders from across Hampshire gathered for the annual Pass Wide and Slow (PWAS) Awareness Ride, despite challenging weather conditions.

This year’s event, held on September 16, saw participants from Tiebridge Livery in North Houghton embark on their ride through Stockbridge High Street, braving heavy storms to raise awareness about the dangers posed by speeding drivers on country roads.

The PWAS ride, now a national movement, is part of a growing effort to highlight the risks faced by horse riders due to unsafe driving practices.

According to British Horse Society statistics, almost two horses are killed each week on UK roads, with 81 per cent of incidents caused by cars passing too closely, and 40 per cent caused by vehicles moving too quickly.

The riders in Stockbridge The riders in Stockbridge (Image: Sarah Moulton) This troubling data has driven the campaign's momentum, with hundreds of riders across the country taking part in similar events to promote safe driving.

Sarah Moulton, the organiser of the Stockbridge ride, said: “Despite the stormy weather, our group was determined to make a difference. We left Tiebridge Livery and, though soaked through, managed to gather support along the route and even raised funds for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service. Riding through Stockbridge High Street was a highlight, as we received a warm welcome from locals, with many waving and cheering us on.”

The campaign, which started in 2015, has grown significantly. It began when Debbie Smith launched a petition after a near-fatal accident involving her horse and a car.

This petition has since garnered hundreds of thousands of signatures, sparking parliamentary debate and influencing safety campaigns like the British Horse Society’s Dead Slow Campaign. Since then, rides like the one in Stockbridge have been organised annually across the UK to spread the message: drivers must pass horses wide and slow.

The ride in Stockbridge The ride in Stockbridge (Image: Sarah Moulton) This year’s Stockbridge ride marked another successful effort in that mission, and it wasn’t just about raising awareness.

Along the route, participants collected donations for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service. After the ride, a cake stall was set up to raise additional funds.

For more information on the Pass Wide and Slow campaign go to passwideandslow1.wixsite.com/website.