Pony Racing

 

What is Pony Racing?

Pony racing mirrors the Horse Racing you see on the television. Held on licenced racecourses across the UK (such as Ascot and Cheltenham), pony racing allows Pony Club members to experience the thrill and experience of racing – but on ponies!

Members wishing to give pony racing a go must be aged 9 years old on 1st January (in the current calendar year) and can race up until the day of their 17th birthday. The ponies taking part must be aged between 5 and 20 years old and be fit and sound to race. They must also measure no more than 148cm.

The Pony Club works closely with The Pony Racing Authority (PRA), pony racing’s governing body, to provide young people with opportunities to race in point-to-point and the Racecourse Series.

To find out more about the PRA and the events they provide, please click here

 How Do I Get Involved?

Your first point of contact if you want to have a go at Pony Racing is your Branch or Centre. Ask them about getting involved with a taster session which will include mounted and unmounted activities to help give you the feel of what racing is like.

There are many different types of sessions that can be run to give members a taste of racing:

  • Balance and fitness exercises
    These are aimed to test your balance and fitness and build muscle needed for racing
  • Equicisor
    This is a mechanical horse that gives you the chance to practice and perfect your racing position safely before getting on your pony
  • Cantering in an enclosed space
    Usually an arena session where you can work on bridging your reins and your racing position on your pony before getting out on the course
  • Gallops and field practise in a safe environment
    This is where both rider and pony can practice travelling at speed to prepare for what it would be like to race
  • PC/PRA Training days
    Training days where you can receive a full range of support from using an Equicisor, speaking to nutritionists and gallop on your pony in a group. Also counts as an eligibility qualification for a Race Day. Check the PC website to see if there are any training days being held near you. For more information regarding Training days, please click here
  • Race Days
    A chance to get competitive on race courses such as Cheltenham and Ascot! Check the PC website to see if there are any race days being held near you. For more information regarding race days, please click here

Thanks to QIPCO and British Champions Series, our members can also experience visits to racecourses and Fan Zones across the country.

Keep your eyes open for full details of these on the monthly emails and our social media pages.

How Do I Progress Further?

If you decide you want to enter a Race Day, the combination must meet certain eligibility criteria and must have completed:

• A minimum of two ridden group rallies of one hour in duration. The ridden activity to take place in a wide open space; or
• A minimum of one (passed) PRA/PC Training Day; or
• Attended and completed a British Racing School or National Racing College or Scottish Racing Academy Level 3 training day (Passed)

DCs or Centre Proprietors will be contacted to confirm that the Member and pony have completed the requirements above, and to confirm that they are a current member of their Branch/Centre.

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Key Competitions & Events

Pony Racing Points Series 

The Pony Club Pony Racing Points Series runs throughout the Racing Season and allows all members participating at Pony Club Race days to gain points based on placings and participation in their height race. The aim of the Points Series is to recognise members who are performing well in their race and encourage them to progress in Racing.

Pony Race Days

Race Days are an opportunity for members to take part in competitive racing mainly on a licenced racecourse such as Ascot, Wolverhampton and Cheltenham. An unmatched experience by getting to ride at some of the UK’s most prestigious racecourses. Riders take part in weighing in, weighing out, parading, and heading down to the start, just like a professional race!

 

Pony Racing Authority

Training Days

These are a joint training initiative run by the Pony Racing Authority and The Pony Club.

Experienced Pony Club instructors teach alongside BHA accredited Jockey Coaches and provide the best possible introduction to pony racing. These days not only allow children to ride their own pony in a controlled environment and on the gallops, but also provide an insight into balance and control in a forward seat with the simple use of wobble boards, space hoppers and stepping stones, running alongside the use of traditional racing equipment such as an Equicisor.

In addition to riding tuition, the training programme includes advice on rider and pony fitness and nutrition, tack guidance and race day procedures and etiquette.

The training day also offers the opportunity for members and their ponies to be assessed for eligibility to participate in Race Days with both Pony Club and the Pony Racing Authority (PRA).

Contacts

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Annabel Stanley

Sports Officer

Steve Taylor

Pony Racing Chairman (Volunteer)