A NATIONWIDE appeal has been launched to help the well-known horseman Alex Ott, who was seriously injured in a riding accident close to his home in Meelin near Newmarket, Co Cork.

On November 19th, 2014, Ott was exercising a horse on the road and was thrown off, resulting in a catastrophic injury to his C5 vertebrae. He was airlifted to Cork University Hospital, where he remains today.

A keen supporter and friend of the Duhallow Foxhounds and the wider equestrian and farming community both in north Cork and further afield, Ott lives for the thrill of the hunt and sharing this experience with both his friends and his family.

Along with his partner Janet and four young children Zara, Andy, Luke, Ella, he has been a regular at any hunt, fun ride and event run in the area and even trained his first point-to-point winner last year.

The 38-year-old makes his living soley from making and breaking horses, many of which were sent to him as a last resort and often considered unrideable.

“He hasn’t won medals, but he is a gifted maker of hunters and breaker of young horses and is the very best example of an increasingly rare ‘nagsman’ - a true old fashioned horseman,” commented Irish Horse World eventing and sales correspondent Sally Parkyn. “In addition, Alex offers hunter hirelings, and is well known for preparing half-breds for the sales. His partner Janet works alongside him, as well as running a home, small children and riding school. Aside from working every hour, the pair are hugely popular.”

Sadly there is no Injured Jockey Fund or event rider fund to support Ott and his family and the road to recovery is likely to be a long and costly one.

As a result, the Alex Ott Appeal has been launched to allow all of his friends far and wide the opportunity to help to provide as much support as possible during this difficult time.

A wide range of fundraising activities will be launched in the coming months and everyone with an equestrian background is being encouraged to come out and support a truly wonderful father and friend to all.

All donations large or small will be gratefully accepted but we also welcome any fundraising or other suggestions on how we can support this appeal.

For those who would like to donate, the account for the Alex Ott Appeal is Bank of Ireland, Bank Place, Mallow, sort code 90-28-80 and account number 86578216.

One of the first fundraising activities to be held is a charity ride on Sunday, February 1st, 2015, at 1pm.

Organised by the South Union Foxhounds, the charity ride will commence at the Speckled Door, Old Head of Kinsale and will suit all levels of riders. For information on the ride, contact Mike O’Connell on 087-2574600.

To keep up to date with all fundraising activities, follow the Alex Ott Appeal on Facebook.