On Friday 19th December the Markel Champions Challenge for the Injured Jockeys Fund is set to be one of the highlights of the evening, featuring some of the UK’s best known flat and jump jockeys with the additional spice of top show jumpers. A team of three flat jockeys and one top name show jumper will compete against three jump jockeys and one top name show jumper in a series of different challenges including jumps and pony club style games. The line-up of names is set to be announced early in the autumn and is likely to include Markel’s Ambassador jockeys, Sam Thomas and William Buick. The official Charity for the 50th Anniversary Year of the The London International Horse Show, Olympia December 16-22, 2014, is the Injured Jockey’s Fund, featuring the Markel Champions Challenge. “It is sure to provide a fun and highly competitive spectacle for the crowd, as well as help raise awareness of the important work we do at the IJF in supporting injured jockeys and their families.” said Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive for the IJF.Juliet Redfern, Markel’s UK divisional managing director of equine and livestock, says:“We are thrilled to be announcing this exciting collaboration with the Injured Jockeys Fund at Olympia in December and hope that it raises lots of money for what is a fantastic charity.”Watch the VideoOlympic star Ben Maher is helping Britain’s top woman Flat jockey Hayley Turner stay one jump ahead

 

The Injured Jockeys FundThe Injured Jockeys Fund was founded in 1964 following the devastating accidents toTim Brookshaw, and then Paddy Farrell in the 1964 Grand National. The Fund has since spent over £17m in helping over 1000 jockeys whose injuries have forced some of them to give up riding. The aim of the IJF is to maintain this ethos with continuing support for existing beneficiaries and to provide immediate and effective help to all newly injured jockeys in whatever way is appropriate to ensure a reasonable quality of life for them and their families. The IJF has two respite and rehabilitation centres, Oaksey House in Berkshire, opened by Patron HRH The Princess Royal in 2009, and Jack Berry House in Yorkshire, set to open in the Spring of 2015. www.ijf.org.uk

 

Markel InternationalThe Markel name and reputation are unsurpassed in the field of equine insurance. For over 50 years, Markel has provided uninterrupted coverage for horses and horse- related risks. Coverage is available for the widest range of needs from individual horse owners up to the largest global Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations, through to disciplines such as dressage, showjumping, reining, trotters and Arabians. www.markelinternational.com/equine