The future of promising young equestrian Tinks Walker has been dramatically affected by a road collision that claimed the life of her beloved horse, Benny. The 17-year-old rider had been working towards representing Great Britain at the European Eventing Championships for Young Riders next year. However, a collision on a country lane near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, left her seriously shaken and Benny so badly injured that he had to be put down. Her family are now pursuing legal action following the police decision not to prosecute the driver.
A Tragic Collision On A Country Lane
The incident occurred on 2 April, when Tinks took Benny, whose registered name was Killossery Kaptain, out for an early morning ride. She was also accompanied by Lily, a two-star event horse being led alongside them. As they travelled along a country lane approximately a mile from the family home, Tinks saw a car approaching around a bend.
According to her account to police, she moved both horses onto a grass verge, away from the road. She said the approaching vehicle did not slow down and appeared to be heading directly towards her. Tinks described feeling powerless as she watched the car approach before experiencing the impact. She subsequently regained consciousness on the ground, having been thrown headfirst through the car's windscreen.
After coming round, Tinks saw Benny lying on the road. He attempted to stand once but struggled and fell back down, making no further attempt to get up. His injuries were so severe that a vet had to put him down at the roadside.
Benny, The Prize-Winning Eventing Horse
Benny was a highly accomplished four-star eventing horse who had previously been ridden by Laura Collett, the Team GB rider and double Olympic gold medallist who is also the reigning European Eventing Champion. He was subsequently entrusted to Tinks to help develop a new partnership with the ambition of progressing towards representing Great Britain.
For the young rider, Benny was far more than a competition horse. She trained with him every day, often getting up at 4am to balance her riding commitments with her A-level studies. Having ridden horses since childhood, she had been working towards a future in competitive eventing, with Benny playing a central role in those ambitions.
Tinks described him as her best friend, explaining that he had taught her things no other horse had and helped her understand that making mistakes was acceptable. The loss has therefore been deeply personal as well as a devastating blow to her competitive aspirations.
A Family Left Heartbroken
Tinks's mother, Netia Walker, spoke about the special place Benny held within the family. She described him as exceptionally kind and said he had been cherished since arriving with them. In her view, he would have been an extraordinary horse for her daughter, making the circumstances of his death particularly painful.
Netia also expressed concern for Tinks's safety, saying her daughter could have been killed in the collision. The family have not only lost Benny but have also been left with another horse so traumatised by the incident that they can no longer ride her on the roads.
Fi Rutland, Benny's other co-owner, also described the devastating impact of the accident. She said the loss had broken their hearts and destroyed a talented young rider's dreams and aspirations, while praising the courage Tinks had shown throughout the ordeal.
Police Decision Prompts Legal Action
Following a five-month investigation, Wiltshire Police informed Tinks that there was sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution against the driver. Despite that conclusion, the driver was offered a safe and considerate driving course intended to provide further education rather than face prosecution.
The decision has left Tinks's family deeply unhappy. They are now taking their own legal action in relation to the collision and its consequences. Solicitor Cathryn Godfrey, from Irwin Mitchell, has begun proceedings on behalf of Tinks concerning the injuries she sustained.
A separate legal claim is being pursued over Benny's death. Solicitor Hannah Bradley, from Aria Grace Law, is representing his owners, one of whom is Tinks's grandmother. An independent equine valuer reportedly assessed the prize-winning thoroughbred as being worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
A friend of the driver told the Daily Mail that she was distressed by what had happened and maintained that she had been travelling at a low speed. A spokesperson for the driver and the company that owned the car said they were deeply saddened by Benny's death and that their thoughts were with everyone affected. The spokesperson also said that, because legal action was under way, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
British Horse Society Calls For Safer Roads
The British Horse Society is supporting Tinks and her family while continuing its campaign to encourage drivers to slow down when encountering horses on rural roads. Its Dead Slow campaign highlights the dangers faced by horses and riders, with the organisation reporting 560 horse fatalities on roads over the previous decade.
Alan Hiscox, the society's director of safety, said Tinks was not alone in experiencing such a devastating loss. He explained that he had visited five riders during the year who had lost horses on the roads. He also highlighted the emotional burden experienced by riders after collisions, particularly the guilt they may feel when their horse takes the impact and protects them from more serious injury.
For Tinks, the consequences of the accident extend beyond her physical recovery. The loss of Benny has taken away a horse with whom she had been developing an ambitious competitive partnership, while leaving her with memories of an incident she says continues to affect her.
Turning Personal Loss Into A Road Safety Message
As she concentrates on her recovery, Tinks is preparing to compete in a charity race at Newbury on 5 November. The event is intended to raise funds for the British Horse Society and support its road safety campaign.
Although she recognises that nothing can bring Benny back, Tinks hopes that raising awareness of the dangers horses face on the roads may help protect other riders in the future. Her decision to support the campaign provides a way of drawing attention to the risks associated with road collisions involving horses.
The death of Benny has devastated a young rider, her family and the horse's co-owners, while bringing renewed attention to the importance of road safety for equestrians. Tinks Walker's story highlights both the personal cost of losing a much-loved horse and the impact such an incident can have on a promising competitive future.
Do write and share your reflections upon this matter, particularly on how drivers and riders can work towards safer roads for horses and everyone who travels alongside them.
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