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.
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:
If you decide you want to enter a Race Day, the combination must meet certain eligibility criteria and must have completed since 1st July in the previous year:
• 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 combination have completed the requirements above, and to confirm that they are a current member of their Branch/Centre.
Race Days are an opportunity for members to take part in competitive racing mainly on a licenced racecourse such as Ascot, Wincanton 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!
Not ready to go racing just yet? Taster sessions are run by the PRA and are held at all Pony Club Race Days. They are held before the main racing takes place, so they’re the perfect opportunity to come along, find out more about Pony Racing, have a go at some fun activities and then enjoy an afternoon of racing. Many members who are racing now started by attending a Taster Day first! Attendance is free of charge but spaces are limited, so make sure you register via the PRA website to avoid disappointment.
The RaceTech 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 Pony Racing.
Participation in the RaceTech Points Series is automatic upon entry to any race day throughout the season. The series spans from January to December, culminating in an awards ceremony at Ascot in December.
Points are awarded as follows: 12 points for 1st place, decreasing incrementally to 2 points for 6th place. Additionally, combinations who complete races without placing will receive 1 point. Points are accumulated over the year, and the combinations with the highest totals in the 128cm, 138cm, and 148cm categories will receive an invitation to the prizegiving at Ascot in December.
(If you believe any results are incorrect, please don’t hesitate to contact ponyracing@pcuk.org)
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, as well as 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).
The Racing Foundation helps British racing prosper by supporting charitable work that creates positive change in the industry. Since 2021, The Pony Club has been part of a five-year ‘Pathway into Racing through Pony Racing’, receiving funding towards Pony Club Race Days and Pony Racing Coach training.