Police are appealing for information after the theft of gates from a field resulted in four horses being killed in a pile-up on the A1.

Three horses were killed outright and another had to be put down as a result of its injuries.

Five vehicles were involved in the smash on the southbound carriageway near Ferrybridge Services in West Yorkshire, in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday 20 September).

No people were seriously injured.

The animals were among 11 horses that had escaped from a field two miles from the crash site after thieves stole two gates on Saturday.

The other horses — all of which belonged to Timbertops Equestrian Centre, at Wentbridge, North Yorkshire — had been rounded up.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in the area or knows anything about the theft to contact them.

PC Lee Brook of Selby Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The theft of these gates has resulted in a serious collision which tragically ended with the loss of four animals.

“Thankfully none of the occupants of the vehicles was injured, but they were very shaken up. The potential consequences of the thieves’ actions don’t bear thinking about.

“I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious on Saturday evening or Sunday morning or who knows anything about the thefts to contact police.

“I also appeal to people at local auction marts or agricultural sales to be on their guard against purchasing metal gates and contact police if they have any suspicions about where they have come from.

“The monetary value of these gates is very little compared to the devastation caused on Sunday morning and we are determined to find out who was responsible for the theft.”

Anyone who has any information, should contact York CID on 0845 60 60 247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Horse And Hound.

The girl was yanked from her horse by a man as she rode close to the corner of Bury Road and Hornbeam Lane in Chingford at 5.15pm. Lucky for the teenager, she was saved by her horse which reared up and then kicked the man with both hind legs, knocking him to the ground.

The teenager was then able to ride to her stables and call the police.

The man is described as a white male, possibly eastern European, with short brown hair and in his late twenties or early thirties. He was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans and was taller than 6ft and of muscular build. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 0300 333 4444 and the forest keepers on 020 8532 1010.

I guess for the time being it is advisable that teenagers (and even women) ride out with a partner and keep everyone in the loop about where you are planning on to ride.

The last time the British team won a medal was 2003 but this year Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Emma Hindle and Maria Eilberg wowed on British soil.

Silver seemed in the bag after Laura Bechtolsheimer scored a 76.6 per cent (a British dressage record no less) with Mistral Hojris.

With the 76.6% the British pair of Hindle and Lancet only had to score a 71 per cent to clench the silver.

German was at a loss without the pregnant and susspened Isabell Werth.

“I was aware that everyone was crunching the numbers but I tried to ignore it and just do what we’ve done all season. You cannot make yourself better than your best!” Hindle said.

The Dublin horse show has been running now for more than one hundred and thirty years and is one of the highlights of the Irish social calendar, not to mention competition calendar.

Show jumpers from over ten countries will be competing in many events over the next five days. Between today (Wednesday) and Sunday over 1,400 horses and ponies will be competing in the various events including dressage, show jumping and the prestigious Nations Cup.

I was sent this earlier today (well actually yesterday) and I can’t believe that everyone (horse included) was ok. I know I wasn’t there and don’t know what was going through the mind of the car driver but if you saw 3 horses coming towards you – wouldn’t you break and move to the side of the road?

All I can say is that I am glad that everyone was ok.