A horse rider has described the terrifying moment her beloved animal was struck by a speeding car and left for dead.

Karen Harvey was riding her thoroughbred Welsh cross, Patch, on a designated "Quiet Lane" at Earl Soham, near Framlingham, on October 22, last year, while her son's girlfriend Charlotte Speer was on another horse.

The pair were horrified when a BMW took a turn off the A1120 into Church Lane at speed before colliding with Patch.

Driver Edgaras Tilmantas, 34, of Bracken Avenue in Kesgrave, admitted driving without due care and attention, as well as failing to stop after an accident.

Ms Speer's horse Alfie was spooked and tumbled into a ditch along with its rider as the car sped towards them, while Patch remained standing but turned away. 

Ms Harvey said Patch was struck in the hind leg and leapt forward.

She said: "He came around the corner at such an accelerated speed and just kept coming.

"He put his brakes on but was coming so fast it just did nothing."

Tilmantas carried on down the lane and left the pair and their horses.

"It was over so quickly," Ms Harvey said. "I watched him roar off down the lane.

"I was still on Patch. Without being dramatic, he saved my life."

Ms Harvey fears had they been closer to the junction, they may not have survived.

Ms Speer crawled out of the ditch where she had been thrown - badly winded - while Ms Harvey dismounted. Alfie was shaken but otherwise unhurt.

After calling for help, the "lovely" local vicar came to their aid, while vet Ben Ryder Davies arrived in around 15 minutes and tended to Patch.

Ms Harvey said: "I knew there was no way he was coming back from that. He was standing quiet as a lamb. Then he went into shock."

She said Patch was a "fabulous" horse that she had owned for 12 years and had taken part in competitions, including eventing.

"He's just a horse of a lifetime," she added.

She credited his steady nature and experience for saving her.

The 62-year-old added the incident was "very rare", but she no longer rides down the lanes.

"I don't think I'll ever recover from that. It's so scary."