Rider smashed face in fall after her horse stepped in a pothole
A WOMAN ended up in hospital after her horse fell into a pothole on a country road in Oldham.
Sherrie Hopwood was left with nasty facial injuries following the incident near Daisy Nook Country Park.
The 57-year-old had taken her horse, Jay, for a ride around the Daisy Nook bridle path when it stepped into the pothole on Crime Lane, which was full of water.
Sherrie said the horse’s knees gave way and it fell, sending her crashing face first into the ground.
Speaking about the incident, on April 4, the businesswoman, who lives in Bardsley, said: “I was flat on my face. I tried shouting for help but there was no one around.
“I managed to force myself up to get up. I was very lucky because Jay didn’t panic. If she had, she could have killed me.”
Sherrie was later taken to hospital. Jay suffered cuts to her knees and legs and was checked over by a vet.
Sherrie said: “It was raining and there were puddles everywhere. The road is disgraceful, it’s very uneven and full of potholes.
“So many people use these routes for riding, there’s always horses around and it’s dangerous.
“I’ve been riding for more than 50 years and I know a lot about horses and riding. I’ve never had an accident like this before. I didn’t expect to fall down a pothole but when they are covered in water you just don’t see them.
“I could have easily been trampled on and killed. Something needs to be done. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
Sherrie says Jay is now on ‘box rest’ and she is waiting for the green light to ride her again.
Oldham council’s neighbourhoods boss Helen Lockwood said officers have since inspected Crime Lane but did not say whether action would be taken.
She said: “We’re sorry to hear what happened to Sherrie and her horse and we wish them both well. Inspectors have visited the scene to assess the damage. Unfortunately, over recent months, some of our roads have been left damaged due to the persistent cold and wet weather.”
A British Horse Society spokeswoman said: “It’s important to remember that riders don’t want to be riding on the roads. They are often using them to get to the bridleway network. Riders need better-connected off-road paths.” Photo: John Harwood