Rider Injured after Motorcycle Spooks Horse at Manassas National Battlefield Park

MANASSAS, Va. — A leisurely stroll on horseback turned dangerous for two horseback riders at Manassas Battlefield National Park.

The two riders about noon on Sunday were crossing busy U.S. 29 that runs through the park at a designated horse crossing. The approaching cars stopped and allowed the two riders to pass.

The horses had almost made it across the road when they heard the horn of an approaching motorcycle that showed no sign of slowing down. The horses were spooked, the motorcycle passed within four feet of the horses, and one of the riders fell to the ground and was injured.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, said she was taken to a local hospital after falling, suffered a case of whiplash and a badly sprained ankle.

“ The cars were stopped and this motorcyclist illegally went into the oncoming lane crossing the double yellow line as he maliciously passed behind the horses,” the victim told Potomac Local News.

It all happened so fast the victim or the other rider was unable to get a detailed description of the motorcyclist, other than that they were wearing a grey motorcycle suit and a black helmet with its visor pulled down. A witness was able to provide a partial license plate for the motorcycle, the victim said.

Prince William police were called to the scene and are now investigating, and urge anyone who might know something about this case to come forward.

There are yellow signs at Manassas National Battlefield Park that warn drivers of horse crossings. One of them just north of the U.S. 29 / Va. 234 intersection, in a different area from where the victim fell from her horse, was partially covered by a tree branch making it difficult for drivers to see. A request for comment from the park for this story was not returned.