Better judges' cover a must to protect the sport's future

A group insurance option has been found to protect the officials showing needs but only if enough sign up

- ELEANOR JONES

JUDGES and officials must have better insurance cover to protect them, shows and the sport as a whole – as they are “putting their lives in competitors’ hands”.

This is the message from leading figures in showing calling for better accident cover for the volunteers, without whom shows could not run.

H&H reported that ride judge David Ingle was seriously injured at Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland, in May when a young horse reared and he fell (news, 18 July). He incurred huge expenses as a result of his injuries and, months on, is not fully healed.

“I hope I will ride and judge again, but have to go at the pace my body allows,” he said. “It could have been a lot worse but I’m not going to shut up about insurance; showing has to get its act together.”

Mr Ingle said he has talked to some societies, which say they have adequate insurance to cover judges but, he says, will not share details of the policies.