Equestrian Thursley and a (historic) Stampede of 90 Horses

This article was written by Jackie Rickenberg and was published in the Parish Magazine in May 2025.

We are all aware that Thursley is a particularly equestrian village although perhaps not all of us are aware of the significance of some of the horses grazing in the fields and pastures around the village. This month I wanted to highlight just one Thursley equestrian success story – I am sure there are plenty more – so that it is captured in our archives for the future.

Before that, here is an article from our website, initially researched by Sally Scheffers following a conversation with her veterinary surgeon, Jeremy Mantel. If you haven’t visited it yet, please do at www.thursleyhistorysociety.com. Lots of interesting articles to dip in and out of.

This is the reproduction of a newspaper article from the Woking Mail and News, shown below, entitled:

“Stampede of 90 horses.

Remarkable affair at Thursley

Story of RFA Driver’s death"

The story of the remarkable stampede by ninety horses attached to an ammunition column of the Royal Field Artillery, in which driver Frederick Collier, aged 23 years, received injuries from which he died in Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, was told at the inquest held by Mr W. E. Foster, the Aldershot coroner, at the hospital, on Saturday afternoon.

The accident occurred near the military camp at Thursley, about 10.30am., on the 23rd June 1915.The stampede was apparently caused by a loose horse coming careering towards the column, which was drawn up on the common off the road leading to Thursley.

Lieut. Blower, who was in command of the column, said there were about 90 horses altogether. He had given the order to dismount and for the men to look after their horses. This they were doing and the witness had received the report of one of the N.C.O’s that his team was correct. The witness was on his way to look at the horses when he heard a commotion, and, without the slightest warning, all the horses simply rushed away. He was about 20 yards away.

The coroner: What do you think caused the stampede to take place?

Witness: A loose horse came careering in the opposite direction towards our horses, and I think that must have startled them. I cannot say for certain. I have never seen anything like it before in my life.

Did they all go off together?

Every one of them galloped into the narrow road which has high banks on either side. One wagon overturned, and the other horses collided with it. They fell in a heap, and in their struggles one of the horses was so injured that it had to be destroyed, and several were very badly injured.

How long had these horses been in training?

Some of them six months, some of them not quite so long, but all of them not less than four months.

I take it that they had been licked into shape a bit?

Yes, they were quiet horses. I have had all to do with them from the time we have had them. There is nothing the matter with them. It is one of those things you cannot explain.

The coroner: It is remarkable more of you were not killed.

Witness: It is extraordinary. Several other men were run over. One was run over by two wagons.

Sgt. Alfred Ware said he witnessed the accident. He saw the horses stampede, and also saw the deceased dragged some distance. The witness found him in a stooping condition, and with the assistance of another driver, carried him some 20 yards and left him in charge of another driver.

Lieut. Charles Ready, R.A.M.C., said the deceased was admitted to the Connaught Hospital about 2pm on Wednesday. He had been run over. Everything was done that could be done for him. He was operated on at 4pm, and it was found that he had sustained a rupture of the liver, which had been followed by a haemorrhage. It was really a hopeless case. The deceased bore the operation very well, but the loss of blood was excessive and he died at 11.30 that night.

The coroner said anyone who had any knowledge of horses knew how capricious they were. Apparently, a loose horse startled them and the men could congratulate themselves that there were not more killed. The coroner added that they could not help congratulating the military authorities on the care they must exercise in the training of such a large number of troops as there were in the district, as few accidents had really taken place. One had held a good many inquests this year, but they were really few in proportion to the number of troops we had.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death”.

This incident happened in our village one hundred and ten years ago and yet due to the diligence, time and efforts of the Society’s archivists throughout the years (big thanks to the current team of Alie, Sue and Sukey!) we have the story and newspaper article at our fingertips. It’s a fantastic resource and now open to everyone. Winston Churchill once said “The present is history in the making” and this next article written recently by Lisa Roper and Tom Monghan informs many of us of the equestrian history currently being made in Thursley:

“We are incredibly proud and excited to introduce to you The Thursley Group Ltd. We have had 17 wonderful years of breeding and producing top-level showjumping horses in Thursley. Thursley is more than just a location – it is the foundation of everything we do. It is where our horses have grown up, where our dreams have taken shape and where we have been surrounded by an amazing community of people who have supported us every step of the way. We could not have done this without you.

A special mention must go to the Rickenberg’s at Kestral Wood, where we first started out and also to Malcolm and Patricia Coles at Upper Ridgeway Farm, where our horses have been raised. We passionately believe that their early years on the farm have played a vital role in their success. Growing up in a natural environment, with the freedom to develop as horses first, has given them the strength, confidence and resilience that sets them apart in competition. Later, when their training began, the miles spent hacking around the farm helped shape them, both physically and mentally, preparing them for the demands of an international showjumping career.

The results speak for themselves. Just recently our homebred mare, Luttoria, made us all proud by winning both her opening class and the Grand Prix at the Longines League of Nations show at the World Equestrian Centre in Ocala, USA. An unforgettable moment! On the very same day her son, Lassino, also won his Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. It was a day we will never forget – one that proved just how special this breeding programme truly is.

Adding to this incredible success, Bisquetta, a mare who started her career with us in Thursley as a three-year-old, jumped clear again at the same show, the prestigious 5* Grand Prix at WEC. After being sold to one of the USA’s most decorated female athletes, she has continued to showcase her world-class talent on the biggest stages. She is now a hot contender for the $750,000 5* Grand Prix in Wellington this coming weekend, and we will be cheering her on as she continues to prove her exceptional ability.

But this success is not just ours. It belongs to every single person who has been part of our journey – our friends, our neighbours and all those in Thursley who have cheered us on, supported us and believed in what we do. Now, as the Thursley Group Ltd, our horses will continue to compete under this name, carrying the values of our village into every arena they step into. Every time they enter the ring, they will represent the legacy of where they came from – the people, the place and the philosophy that shaped them”.

To learn more about how you can become more involved in The Thursley Group please contact Lisa or Tom directly on lisaroperequestrian@hotmail.co.uk.

Tom Monghan on Luttoria