An Isle of Wight horse rider has been left terrified after two near misses during one ride.

Lizzie Smith, 32, from Ryde was riding on Smallbrook Lane yesterday (Monday) when three cars almost collided after they allegedly came 'flying round the corner' at speed.

Miss Smith's four-year-old horse, Wallace, was out on the road for the first time and was assisted by her friend, Sarah Harrison, as they both walked with the horse while wearing hi-visibility clothing.

She explained the situation to the County Press: "[We were] taking it nice and slow, when a car came flying round the corner, screeched on the road, almost hitting Sarah who was behind us, then a small van came up behind the first one, way too fast, slammed the breaks on and slid right round the corner across to the other side of the road, almost hitting the first car and then nearly hit the front of another car that was coming up the road."

Thankfully, Wallace was unfazed by the vehicles skidding and speeding by him, but Miss Smith says he was more bothered by the exchange of abuse that followed from the drivers.

"I have never in my life seen such idiots," said Miss Smith. "Then they had the audacity to scream abuse further down the road when I said 'slow down!' as they overtook us.

"They said to me, 'your f******* horse shouldn't be on the f******* road' etc.

"I honestly don't know how everyone avoided injury or worse, sadly I didn't get any number plates, but I'm so glad my horse wasn't too bothered, he's such a good boy."

Miss Smith would like to remind Isle of Wight drivers to take care and slow down when passing horses as it can frighten the animal and cause injury to the rider or serious accidents.