A MOTHER has criticised pilots of military helicopters for flying too low after two aircraft caused a pony to panic, throwing and injuring her daughter, who had to be airlifted to hospital.

Anita Rose, 44, of Neen Sollars, could only look on with horror as two Chinook helicopters flying overhead "spooked" the family pony as it was being prepared at a horse rally in Greete, near Tenbury Wells.

The pony collapsed on top of her daughter, Gabrielle, 13, who was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, with doctors initially fearing she was suffering from internal bleeding.

Six days later Gabrielle was "fortunate" to be released from hospital with fractures to the pelvis and thigh bone. She will be on crutches for the next four weeks.

Mrs Rose said: "I think the Ministry of Defence should be made aware of what happened and the dangers involved when incidents like this take place. My daughter could have been killed.

"This has happened before and it will happen again unless something is done. They take no notice of people on horses."

Gabrielle, a pupil at Abberley Hall School, who has ridden horses since she was four, described what happened.

She said: "I could feel the horse getting agitated and then it tried to run off with me on top.

"I tried to control him but then he fell back on top of me. Luckily, he came straight off. Otherwise, I don't know what would have happened."

Mrs Rose said: "I felt really sick. My eight-year-old son, Nat, was with us and he ran and caught the pony and called for help. I knew it was serious if Gabrielle wasn't getting up. She's a tough nut."

She added: "Normally, Fern is the most laid back pony. He has never done anything like this before."

Gabrielle has not been put off riding by her experience but she will not be able to get back on a horse until February at the earliest. She said: "I still want to carry on."

Mrs Rose said: "She is one of those kids who is always active. It's going to be a nightmare for her cooped up at home."

She also revealed Gabrielle had been preparing for a sports scholarship at Bromsgrove School in January. This will no longer be possible.

Andrew McGill, RAF wing commander, said: "We cannot comment on any details of this incident, as it is subject to a Service Police investigation.

"The MoD takes the issue of flight safety, and the safety of those on the ground, extremely seriously and has worked closely with the British Horse Society to promote issues of horse riders' safety and operational helicopter training."