Terrifying Attack at Calais on Equestrian Vaulter and Family
An equestrian vaulter was on her way home from the world championships in France when her wagon was attacked, on the approach to the Calais port, by migrants.
Lucy Phillips, sixth on the FEI sports ranking list for vaulting, and her family were ambushed in their horse box whilst they approached the port. Tree debris had been used to block the road where the migrants waited during the early hours of Monday [29 August] morning.
Lucy’s father was driving the horsebox and began sounding the horn as they approached the vehicle when stationary. Approximately 10 men began by trying to gain access via the jockey door and were armed with branches, used as bats. They hit the windows and sides of the vehicle whilst trying to gain access.
Lucy held onto the jockey door as they tried to enter, however they smashed a window, sending glass inwards towards her parents. Her mother’s face was bleeding as was her father’s arm.
Once the police arrived the migrants disappeared. This isn’t the first time Lucy has seen migrants approaching, or running alongside other vehicles at the Calais port.
The 26-year-old sports fitness model is based near Solihull and has enjoyed riding since a child. She works as a sports and fitness coach at the University of Birmingham, where she graduated from.
This attack comes as a stark reminder that it’s not just the large vehicles at ports that come under attack, other vehicles are at risk too.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.