Wooldridge v Sumner [1963] 2 QB 43 is an English Court of Appeal judgment dealing with the liability in negligence of participants in sporting competitions towards spectators.
The Court of Appeal held in this case that sportsmen would only be liable to spectators if they showed "reckless disregard" for their safety.
The plaintiff, Mr Wooldridge, who was a photographer at a horse race, was injured by the horse belonging to the defendant, Sumner, which was ridden in a competition by Ron Holladay, who was a skilled and experienced horseman.
The Court of Appeal held that Sumner owed no duty of care to Wooldridge in this case.
As long as the damage was not caused recklessly or deliberately, the participant in a race could not be held liable for the spectators injuries because he was not negligent, i.e. not in breach of his duty.