Riders, walkers and cyclists took to the roads around Wrexham on the weekend for the third annual Riding for Awareness event, aimed at educating drivers on how to safely pass horses.
The ride, known as Ride 198, set off from The Stables in Ruabon at midday on Saturday, September 5, travelling through Penycae and Rhos before finishing back at the start point, where organisers laid out refreshments and rosettes for participants.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Wrexham, Jeremy Kent, alongside Councillor John C Phillips and Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr, who lent their support to the road safety message.
Mark Dixon led the ride on horseback, while Gem Griff hosted the event and provided refreshments for participants at the finish.
Organisers said traffic along the route was heavy, but the vast majority of motorists were patient and respectful towards those taking part.
Speaking after the ride, the Mayor of Wrexham urged drivers to "slow down, give space, save lives," calling on motorists to leave at least two metres when passing horses, avoid sudden noises or movements, and wait patiently until it is safe to overtake.
He said the event, now in its third year, promotes safer roads for horses, riders and carriage drivers across the UK, and organisers say similar rides took place across Britain this September, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.
The ride comes amid continuing concern over horse safety on Britain's roads.
According to the British Horse Society's latest Dead Slow figures, 2,810 road incidents involving horses were reported in 2025, with 86 people injured, even though the overall number of incidents fell by 10% compared with 2024.
Horse fatalities have in fact climbed 180% since the campaign began in 2016, and 83% of last year's incidents involved a vehicle passing too quickly, the highest proportion recorded since 2017.
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The charity's own guidance mirrors the message promoted at Saturday's event, urging drivers to slow to no more than 10mph and pass wide with at least two metres of space wherever possible.
North Wales Police provided an escort for the ride, helping to manage traffic along the route through Penycae and Rhos.
Organisers have thanked everyone who took part or supported the event, and say they hope the annual ride continues to grow as awareness of horse road safety spreads both across Wales and internationally.
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