Pony racing

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Pony racing has been happening in Ireland for donkeys' years. Races are held throughout the country starting late April and finishing in October. There are approximately 7 races on a Sunday, starting at 13 Hands, 14 Hands 14.2 Hands 15 Hands and three open horse races - 1 Mile, 1 and half and two mile. Both ponies and horses are thoroughbred.

This has been the starting point for many successful jockeys in Ireland and England, Norman Williamson, Charlie Swan, Adrian McGuire, Barry Geraghty, Jamie Spencer, Paddy Flood Sean Cleary, Nina Carberry, Shane Broderick to name but a few.

It gives many young jockeys years race riding experience before they can get their licience out at 16 to ride on the race track.

Ireland has flooded the Irish & English racing industry with top class successful jockeys and pony racing has definitely attributed to this success. England have recently started pony races on the track up to 14.2 Hands to encourage young jockeys. Riding a few furlongs up a straight track does not give jockeys the skills required to race ride. In Ireland a pony race track is approximately a half mile circuit, in different fields and different ground every Sunday. Jockeys get plenty of practice on bends, straights, passing other horses, seeing a gap, closing a gap which gives great courage and tactics.

The Irish Turf Club doesn't recognise the sport, but yet most trainers advise young jockeys to go Pony Racing to gain valuable experience. If Ireland had a shortage of jockeys like England perhaps they might then see the value in it.

British pony racing started in 2004 and has since grown enormously. It is staged at many point to point meetings and a summer racecourse series culminates at a final at Aintree racecourse in October. There are also pony club racedays at venues such as Cheltenham, Ascot and Wincanton. Riders must be members of the PRA - Pony Racing Authority. Most 148cm ponies are full thoroughbreds many of whom would quite easily compete against "proper" racehorses. Several riders have begun to make their mark in point to pointing or national hunt and a few on the flat. The 2008 novice point to pointing championships are currently led by former pony racing jockeys. The courses - especially point to point - offer invaluable experience to young jockeys and ever increasing race distances (up to 1m 4f) are encouraging riders to think tactically about race riding and timing. Some racing stars of the future may yet hail from Britain.

for info go to:

www.pra.gb.com www.ponyracing.info