Police are looking for witnesses to an incident where two horse riders were allegedly followed for over a mile by a man who they say threatened to pull them off their horses and verbally abused them.

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The incident happened on Saturday in the Wellow area and left the two riders feeling shocked.

The two women said initially, the man berated them for being out riding during Covid lockdown.

Despite them explaining they were within British Horse Society guidelines, they say he was aggressive and they tried to de-escalate the situation.

They continued down Dodpitts Lane but he reappeared and followed them for around a mile.

One of the riders said: "At this point he became even more aggressive and threatened to pull us off the horses. He was abusive and started filming us.

"We were trying to calm things but he was having none of it.

"My friend is going back to her mainland job soon so this was our last chance to ride together.

The woman told the Isle of Wight County Press: "We were crying...it was just so upsetting."

They said friends had told them of similar incidents of abuse of riders in the area in recent weeks.

The pair have sent video evidence and a report to the British Horse Society.

  • Call police on 101, quoting 44210036099, if you have information
  • Or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Isle of Wight County Press:

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Hampshire Constabulary told the County Press: "We can confirm that we received a report of two horse riders being verbally abused at Bellwood Riding Stables in Wellow at around 3.30pm on Saturday, January 30.

"An unknown man followed the two riders, who were at the rear of the stables, and began to become abusive towards them.

"He was described as a white man, in his 30s, approx. 6ft tall and was seen wearing black or blue rimmed glasses, a hoody, a green coat and a black mask.

"Were you in the area at the time? Did you see a man matching this description in the local area?"