Take part in ‘cracking’ helmet safety campaign
Students have launched a social media campaign to encourage helmet safety among riders.
The Crack the Hat appeal, thought up by a group of five students from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), aims to raise money for H&H’s charity of the year, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
In a similar nature to the ice bucket challenge, participants must crack an egg on their head and donate to the charity, before nominating a friend to do the same.
The students were inspired to promote hat safety following William Fox-Pitt’s serious fall in Le Lion d’Angers last October.
“IJF massively inspires us for the work it does with riders like him,” third year student Grace Pugh told H&H.
Grace thought up the idea for one of the modules for her international equine and agricultural business studies degree alongside fellow RAU students Alicia Lee, Anneli Ives, Megan Duffield and Cordelia Marshall.
The campaign can be found on Facebook by searching Crack the Hat and on Twitter using the handle @CrackTheHat2k16
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
To donate £2 to the IJF, text “HATZ50” with the amount you wish to donate to 70070.
Helping riders and their families
H&H announced the IJF as its charity of the year for 2016 last month (31 December).
The IJF helps riders and their families who have been affected by injuries in their sport.
In the past 51 years more than 1,000 jockeys have been helped by the IJF.
With two rehabilitation centres and direct support across the country, jockeys hurt in their line of work have access to free rehab and training, as well as support and advice.
More recently the charity’s work has also extended to riders in other disciplines, most notably eventers.
H&H is supporting the IJF as it’s charity of the year 2016. To find out more and make donation click here.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.