Safety awards presented in honour of Sefton..... Outstanding contributions in the field of riding and road safety were recognised at The British Horse Society’s Sefton Awards, held at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiments Barracks, Knightsbridge, London on Wednesday (8 October). The awards were set up by the Society in 1990 as a legacy to Sefton, the Household Cavalry horse who survived the IRA bombings in London in 1982. Sefton was 19 years old at the time of the bombings. He underwent eight hours of surgery and became a household name. This year there were three recipients of the honour. The first of these was Robbie Woolford, from Windsor, Berkshire. In December 2012 Robbie was out riding when an irate taxi driver drove straight at her and her horse, stopping just a yard away. The experience left Robbie traumatised and convinced that something had to be done. Already campaigning with her Parish Council for lower speed limits and horse signs on the roads, Robbie raised her game. She began addressing local drivers of the need for consideration when passing horses on the road and earlier this year the council erected the long awaited horse signs. Speaking of her achievements she said: This is only a small part of it, Im not finished yet! I would like a Pegasus crossing [a specialised road crossing for horses and riders] and I would like the speed limit to come right down. I was amazed to be nominated for this award and today really has been very special. Its been a really wonderful day and I feel very undeserving. The second recipient was Alison Harris from Harrogate, Yorkshire. Through her hard work and enthusiasm Alison was able to use the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire as a great opportunity to ensure that visiting cyclists were aware of how to act when they met horses on the winding Yorkshire lanes. By distributing guidance leaflets and organising trade stands at Festivals on the Tour route, Alison not only helped to keep horse riders and cyclists safe during the busy weeks of the Tour but also raised awareness of the wider need for cyclists and horses to work in harmony on the road. “I feel very honoured to have been singled out to receive this award as someone who has done something for road safety,” said Alison. “As a horse rider myself I am acutely aware of the fact that educating all road users is extremely important in the interests of all our safety.” The third recipient, Mary Lloyd from Crewe, Cheshire, was due to receive her award in 2013 but unfortunately this was not possible due to her mother’s ill health. Mary was recognised for her efforts to raise awareness amongst drivers of the need to take care around horses following a number of incidents involving horses and vehicles near her home. She worked tirelessly in her local community, distributing advice literature, talking to drivers, and even successfully erecting a roadside billboard which is seen by huge numbers of drivers on a daily basis. “To receive the award today has been very special,” said Mary, who dedicated the award to her mum. “Its been very emotional but a wonderful experience and probably one that I will never get to repeat in my lifetime again.”
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:55:00 +0000
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