Calling all future Rachael Blackmores and William Buicks! Should you love nothing greater than shortening your stirrups for an exhilarating gallop, why not give pony racing a strive?
This fast-growing, adrenaline-fuelled sport for riders aged 9 to 16 is an effective way to expertise the fun of driving on a few of Britain’s premier racetracks.
Nevertheless it’s additionally proving an important basis for future jockeys and point-to-point riders. Champion bounce jockey Sean Bowen, younger Flat racing star Billy Loughnane and Grand Nationwide hero Rachael Blackmore all realized their craft in pony ranks.
Group One-winning Flat jockey Hollie Doyle began out as an “uncompetitive” teen on her Pony Membership pony.
“As quickly as I rode in a pony race, I knew I needed to be a jockey,” she says.
The game’s governing physique, the Pony Racing Authority (PRA) is there to information you each step of the way in which, from educating you the fundamentals by means of to your first official race and past, making certain you and your pony progress at your individual tempo.
Pony racing: three steps to the racetrack
The 1st step: be a part of a taster day
Should you’re tempted by pony racing however not sure learn how to start, your first port of name is to attend a PRA taster day. They’re usually unmounted and have a tendency to happen on the morning of a Pony Membership race day, providing an ideal alternative to observe the motion in addition to getting concerned in all types of actions, resembling refining your racing place on a mechanical horse and studying what tack and gear is required.
At a taster day, budding jockeys can refine their place on a mechanical horse
Step two: follow makes excellent on a coaching day
The following step is to take your pony to a PRA or Pony Membership coaching day, the place you’ll study all of the elements that go into race driving, from learn how to line up in the beginning to the steadiness, management and health required for driving in a ahead seat.
These occasions additionally act as qualification for the upcoming season and are an ideal alternative to fulfill fellow rookie jockeys. PRA superior coaching days give attention to the finer particulars, whereas the British Racing Faculty, Scottish Racing Academy and Nationwide Horseracing Faculty provide additional programs.
Step three: underneath starters orders!
There are primarily three sorts of racing to participate in:
Stand-alone Pony Membership race days
The purpose-to-point pony racing sequence
The PRA racecourse sequence, which is the premier league of pony racing and held at skilled racecourses between Could and October (suspended in Could 2026 because of a flu outbreak)
Vine department member William King-Harris, 11, competes in Pony Membership race days and was hooked from day one.
“He got here final in his first race, however he didn’t care, he simply cherished being part of it. There’s nice camaraderie and he loves the fun of all of it,” says his mom Charlotte King-Harris, who groups up with different households to rent out native gallops and makes use of the common racing rallies hosted by their Pony Membership.
William, who rides 148cm Bowhaylands Midnight, says: “I like it since you get to race with your folks and driving at correct racecourses makes you’re feeling like an actual jockey.”
As much as 10 races happen on Pony Membership racedays, cut up into top sections, with classes from newbies to open riders. Two or three races are held on the point-to-point fixtures, catering for each novice and extra skilled riders, with numerous championships to purpose for.
Whenever you’re able to graduate to the showcase racecourse sequence, you’ll be competing both earlier than or after skilled racing, with every contest (138cm or 148cm and underneath) mirroring that of an actual race, proper right down to a greatest turned out award.
Lucas Murphy, 16, who received his first race in opposition to the professionals in April, progressed by means of all three ranges alongside his youthful brother Finn.
“There’s no gender subject in pony racing – or racing itself – everybody’s on a stage enjoying discipline,” says their mom Verity Inexperienced, who organises the favored Space 9 Pony Membership race day at Cheltenham Racecourse.
“With the altering panorama of the UK, driving at pace throughout open fields is tough for lots of people, so pony racing offers you that chance.
“Nevertheless it’s not nearly lining up and going as quick as you may! Pony racing is a good ability for any rider to study – it helps with steadiness, health and judgement of tempo, which then applies throughout the disciplines.”
What you want to take up pony racing
Do I would like a flashy pony, fancy silks and costly racing saddle?
You completely don’t want a specialist pony – you don’t want a pony in any respect!
Head of the PRA Lucinda Campbell-Dutton says, “You possibly can race any kind of pony underneath 148cm”, with the one stipulation being that it’s aged between 4 and 20. The one specialist gear you want is the requisite security gear.
Riders aged 11-16 who don’t have a pony however have often attended a driving college can apply to the PRA academy scheme, funded by The Racing Basis and the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
Sally-Ann Dale, whose 12-year-old daughter Lucie competes in Pony Membership race days on her home-produced ponies, hosts the PRA academy at her Ghyll Park Equestrian in East Sussex.
“What I feel we lack at colleges these days is workforce spirit and that’s what Ghyll Park is all about,” says Sally Ann. “I inform the youngsters that racing is just not a workforce sport, however whenever you go to the beginning, you’re a workforce. Discuss to one another and bounce off collectively. I’m more than pleased to assist anybody.”
As Verity Inexperienced sums up, “The best way that racing opens its doorways and takes care of the development of its younger riders is phenomenal. My kids have had an absolute ball.”
So what are you ready for? Head to ponyracingauthority.co.uk for additional info and above all take pleasure in yourselves – tell us the way you get on!
Meet the 2025 pony racing champion
Final season, Chloe Fox-Pitt notched up 15 straight wins with Avalon Dancer within the 138cm PRA racecourse sequence, together with the Aintree ultimate. The now 13-year-old is again with the mare in 2026, having additionally secured the experience on the prolific 148cm She’s A Corker. Chloe, daughter of racing presenter Alice Plunkett and retired five-star occasion rider William Fox-Pitt, additionally enjoys eventing, Pony Membership and looking.
How I started racing: “I bought a racing Shetland for a Christmas current and did two seasons on him earlier than I bought former present pony Maesteg Ruth to do pony racing on. She was very skilled and taught numerous folks to race experience.”
High ideas for beginning out: “Get as a lot expertise as you may. I went to numerous locations to get coaching on the mechanical horse. I did three race coaching days with my pony simply to become familiar with all of it and to study what to do.”
The key of success: “A giant half is having a quick pony, however studying when to go, when to drag and learn how to begin a race are equally necessary. It took me some time to become familiar with Avalon Dancer as a result of she was a lot hotter than my first pony, however having a pony nearly as good as her final season was a lot enjoyable.”
The very best side of pony racing: “I’ve made so many mates, bought to experience on the large racecourses and communicate to some wonderful folks about racing.”
This week’s H&H journal is our Junior Particular with 48 pages for seven-to-14-year-olds who love horses and ponies – take a look at what else is inside, and in the event you’d like a duplicate discover your nearest stockist or order a single subject for supply by put up
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H&H showjumping editor
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her all over the world reporting from exhibits and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian business as a driving teacher and yard supervisor.
