Ereti saddled her friend’s horse and they all headed out single file down the quiet road. 

It wasn’t long before they heard a 4WD ute approach from behind, revving its engine.  They recognised the young driver, and at first no-one thought too much of it.   The vehicle passed.  But a second 4WD approached and when it was close to the horses, it blasted its horn continuously.  This frightened all three, and the horses bolted. 

The engine of the truck and trailer unit started to slow down when it saw them and continued past the three horses. There was no grass verge.  The drivers cab past Jim who was in the middle of the three, and the trailer unit struck his mare.  Jim was thrown, hitting his head on the corner of a plastic water tank on the load.  He landed on the road. His mare lay on the road and she was put down at the scene.

Community Equestrian is a Colorado based group that drafted and has secured Senator support for the Equestrian Zones Bill, published in February 2025. 

This Bill was born out of the need to improve safety for the equestrian community in our expanding metro areas now and into the future.  The Bill accomplishes this by establishing equestrian zones, standards for infrastructure, Pass Wide and Slow road law, and a legislative declaration that recognizes the importance of the equestrian industry and community in Colorado.  The Bill gives equestrians recognition, a voice, and local government tools to help them better integrate development in equestrian zones.

It is fantastic to see a New Zealand Pony Club celebrate those who are working hard outside of the riding ring.

We are so proud to see that PWAS Rangitahi Lead Delia was recognised for her advocacy work and the benefit it has to her wider pony club community.

This level of support from the Local Government sector is huge.  It illustrates that what’s being asked, why and what’s at stake, makes absolute sense.  ‘It’s a no brainer’, ‘It’s common sense’ are some phrases I’ve heard shared.    Julia McLean PWASNZ

Have you ever had a car pass you so close that you could have moved your foot 2cm and made contact with it?  So fast that it would have just about taken your foot off?  While that isn't the only near miss I've had while out riding my horse, it was most certainly the scariest one.

The biggest impact and something I will never forget is a call from my best friend's mother that my 16-year old friend is dead.  She and her horse had been hit by a car “can you come, can you come”.  I drove out and they were loading my friend into the back of the ambulance. Her horse was lying on the road in pain. I went and borrowed a gun from someone I knew and put the horse down.  My friend died on the way to hospital.  It was horrible.

On December 13, 2024 my life changed and the aftermath of it all means a long personal recovery for me, and experiencing first hand a system that is broken for horse riders. I don’t say that lightly but the facts speak for themselves. 

I have had many near misses whilst walking, running, cycling and riding or driving my horse. Fast-moving vehicles passing way too close have forced me onto the verge resulting in me being catapulted over the handlebars of my bike.  While out running I have stumbled and fallen on my face numerous times when trying to escape traffic.

“Saddling up that day is the last memory I have of that former life”. Learn what motives changemaker like Julia McLean. Julia founded PWASNZ and wrote the VRU submission which was submitted to NZ Parliament in November 2024.

Riders across Aotearoa New Zealand are loosing access to trails and land at an alarming rate. This has resulted in more riders being forced to ride on our very unsafe roads. Learn about the huge loss of access. Once we have Vulnerable Road User status councils will need include horse riders in planning. But we cannot wait we have to act now. Get familiar with what your council is doing in your region and use your voice to advocate.

Delia McLean is our rangitanhi lead for PWASNZ. Delia has been working hard to ensure that the leaders of our country hear her voice and they are listening. Read more about Delia and her WHY.

Hi vis can save your life and the life of your horse. Learn more about what hi vis items PWASNZ belief can help your stay safer on the road. Always wear your hi vis, as you must play your part in staying safe on the roads.