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RESIDENTS of a tranquil village are worried that their home will be overrun by travellers with caravans and ponies this weekend.
The two-day event called Tracy Cooper’s New Forest Drive is set to take place in several parts of the district, including Ashurst and Woodlands.
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The traditional family event has been running for more than 20 years.
It sees hundreds of riders make their way across Hampshire to the drive on an eight-mile ride.
Travellers bring along their prized horses and two-wheeled carts.
But locals are not happy with the planned event and shared their thoughts on social media.
One wrote: “Feel so sorry for the horses involved Please this needs to be stopped.”
Another said: “Should not be allowed to take place. And the Old Bill will be invisible as usual.”
A third commented: “Just NO! It was horrendous last year. I work in the community access was blocked to places I needed to be in, it was mayhem.”
“Thank you for the heads up, now we know to avoid the area this weekend,” said a fourth.
Authorities say they are working together following the controversy caused by last year’s pony and trap ride-out.
Cops launched an investigation after a pony broke its leg at an Ashurst cattle grid.
And sharp objects were scattered at a popular picnic area near Brockenhurst, possibly in an attempt to sabotage the event.
Speaking at the time, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, vowed that concerns surrounding the get together would be fully investigated.
She said: “The ride-out caused a traffic backlog in an already busy seasonal area and it is so sad that a horse had to be put down.”
In a separate statement, Ms Cooper stressed that the Ashurst incident did not take place during the drive itself.
Forestry England said it was working closely with other authorities to minimise the impact of the event.
A Hampshire police spokesperson added: “We are aware of a planned pony and trap event taking place across the New Forest this weekend.
“We are working closely with our partners and have been engaging with the event organisers to ensure the safety of the people and animals involved as well as residents and visitors to the Forest.”
Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council has issued a similar statement.
Every August, people travel from Totton, near Southampton through the national park.
Their route from Totton traditionally ends at Balmer Lawn, where riders showed off their skills in the stream.
Visitors can buy and sell horses, harnesses and dogs at the event.
It is named and organised by Tracey Cooper, 50, who owns a burger van which she takes to local events and horse shows.
The travellers gather to raise money for charity – before riding back to Totton for an evening of fun.
