Support for David Ingle’s Recovery

Hello everyone,

By now, many of you in the showing world have likely heard about David Ingle's recent accident, and we urgently need your help!

David has sustained a serious injury, and unfortunately, both the NHS and the organisations involved in his accident have not provided the support he needs. That's why we've created this page.

A breakdown of what happened.....

David was invited to judge the ridden hunters with Ollie Hood in Ireland earlier this year. After a full day of judging on May 15th, David and Ollie returned to judge the supreme hunter championship in the main arena at Balmoral on May 16th. Tragically, as David was mounting the four-year-old Heavyweight Hunter winner, the horse reared up, punched the air and bolted before David could secure himself, throwing him to the ground at great force.

Initially, the NHS found no fractures in his shoulder and didn’t X-ray his neck. Persistent pain led David to seek private healthcare, where X-rays and scans revealed significant fractures to both his shoulder and neck. These injuries require an operation and several procedures, estimated to cost around £15,000, on top of the £3,500 David has already spent for diagnosis. The consultant mentioned that without his crash hat, the injuries could have been life-limiting.

Additionally, David faces legal battles as Balmoral Show and The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society deny responsibility for the accident.

David has been a cornerstone of the showing world for many years, serving as the Showing Director at Hickstead, Chair of the Showing Council for 8 years, and a board member of the British Show Horse Association for 12 years. His dedication to equestrianism and fairness is unmatched. Let's come together to support someone who has been a bedrock of our community, devoting decades to our shared passion. Now is our chance to give back when he needs us most. Together, let's show David the love and support he truly deserves within the showing community.

A small group of us have come together to create this in support of David. This fundraiser aims to cover his medical expenses and raise awareness of the risks judges face. We also want to work with societies to explore insurance plans and establish a support fund for injured judges, stewards, and show officials.

David's road to recovery will be challenging, and your generosity and support are crucial. Every contribution matters, so please join us in helping #GetDingleBetter.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.