News | 19 May 2025

Pony Club Pony Racing: Which class should you enter?

Racing with The Pony Club should always be safe, fair, and enjoyable. To help make that happen, all Parents and Members (aged 9 to 17) must take responsibility for entering the correct class on Race Day.

It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that:

You enter the correct class for both the rider AND the pony;

You know what races your child has ridden in before;

You know what races your pony has taken part in, even if with a previous rider.

❗Incorrect Entries – What Happens

  • If you’re in the wrong class and there’s no room to move you on the day, your entry will be withdrawn with NO refund.
  • If it’s discovered after the race, the rider will be disqualified.
  • Don’t guess – if in doubt, ask BEFORE entering.

🟢 BEGINNERS

For riders AND ponies who are completely new to racing.

You can enter this class only if BOTH of the following are true:

The RIDER:

  • Is aged 9 or older on the day of the race, and no older than 17.
  • For riders who have never raced in Pony Racing, except for Beginners.
  • Riders who win one Beginner race or complete three Beginner races at a Pony Club Race Day must move to the next level.

The PONY:

  • Ponies must not have been placed 1st – 3rd in Open Pony Club or PRA races in the last two years.

Examples:
✅ Ella, age 11, has never raced, and her 13.2hh pony has also never raced – she’s eligible for BEGINNERS.
❌ Ben, age 10, raced in a PRA event last year – he is NOT eligible, even if the pony hasn’t raced.

🟡 NOVICE

For riders and ponies with a small amount of experience – but still relatively new.

You can enter this class if:

The RIDER:

  • For riders who have never finished 1st in a Pony Club (except Beginners) or PRA Point-to-Point race, or taken part in the PRA Racecourse Series.

The PONY:

  • Ponies must not have won an Open Pony Club or PRA Point-to-Point race in the last 3 years with another jockey or competed in the PRA Racecourse Series.

Examples:
✅ Chloe won a Beginners race on her pony – they must enter NOVICE.
❌ Tom has raced a few times in Beginners and Novice (and never won), but his pony won a Point-to-Point last year with a previous rider – the pony makes them ineligible.

🔵 INTERMEDIATE

This is the first class where entry is based on the rider and pony as a combination, not separately.

This means:

  • It doesn’t matter if the rider has raced successfully before on a different pony.
  • It doesn’t matter if the pony has won races with someone else in the past.
  • What matters is what this particular rider and pony combination has achieved together.

The Intermediate class is ideal for:

  • Experienced riders on newer or less experienced ponies, or
  • Newer riders on more experienced ponies, who can’t enter Novice or Beginner classes because the pony has too much experience.

✅ WHO CAN ENTER?

A rider and pony combination can enter Intermediate if:

  • They have won a Novice race together, but have not yet won an Intermediate or Open race together;
  • They have not won a PRA Point-to-Point or Racecourse Series race as a combination;
  • They may have taken part in PRA Point-to-Point, or Racecourse Series races – just not won them together.

It does NOT matter if:

  • The rider has won Open races on a different pony;
  • The pony has won Open or PRA races with a different rider.

🐎 Examples:

✅ Sophie and her pony, Bluebell, came 1st in a Novice race together – they must now move up to Intermediate.
✅ Jake has won an Open race before on another pony, but is riding a new pony who has never raced before – they can enter Intermediate.
❌ Lucy and her pony, Storm, won a Racecourse Series race together – they must enter Open.

🔴 OPEN

For the most experienced riders and ponies.

You MUST enter this class if:

The RIDER:

  • Has won an Intermediate or Open pony race;
  • OR has ridden in a PRA Point-to-Point, or Racecourse Series race.

The PONY:

  • Has won an Intermediate or Open pony race;
  • OR has competed in a PRA Point-to-Point, or Racecourse Series race – even with a different rider.

Examples:
✅ Ruby won an Intermediate race last season and her pony has done Point-to-Point – they must go in OPEN.
❌ Lucy has never raced before but is riding a pony that has won and taken part in many Open Pony Club races and PRA races before – they should enter the INTERMEDIATE races as Open races may be too competitive for Lucy who has never raced before.

🧠 WHY IT MATTERS

🛡 Safety: Racing with people and ponies at your current level reduces the risk of accidents.

🎯 Fairness: Everyone deserves a fair shot – being in the wrong class gives someone an unfair advantage.

😊 Fun: Races are more enjoyable when everyone is matched at the right level.

⚠️ FINAL REMINDERS

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know your pony’s full race history – especially if you’ve recently bought or loaned the pony.

If you’re unsure, ask your Pony Club Race Day organiser or contact the Pony Racing Sports Officer at ponyracing@pcuk.org.

Incorrect entries = no refund or disqualification.

📌 If you’re not 100% sure what your class should be, ask before you enter. It keeps everyone safe, fair and having fun.