Do you feel the need for speed, but your mount isn’t exactly the long-legged Thoroughbred type? Don’t worry, you may be able to don racing silks and aim your pony at the finish line. In North America, the U.S. Pony Racing association offers Shetland racing both on the flat and over hurdles. Some of these races take place at the legendary Pimlico Racetrack in Maryland, the same track that hosts the Preakness Cup. Pony racing also takes place at the Maryland State Fair and helmet manufacturer Charles Owen sponsors pony racing at events like Washington International Horse Show and Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania.
If you live in the UK and have a pony 14½ hands (148cm) or under you may want to learn more about the The Pony Racing Authority. While not all riders aspire to careers as jockeys, many young people have gone on to do just that, and it is the driving motive behind the formalization of pony racing there. The Pony Racing Authority has lots of advice for choosing a pony, fitting it up for racing and preparing yourself. There are race days for Pony Club members, point-to-point racing and flat racing.
Every year at the London International Horse Show, the Shetland Pony Grand National is held. This event is open to youth 9-14 years of age and under 5’. Ponies are jumped over Grand National style jumps, albeit scaled to the diminutive size of the ponies. Not only does this event feed the need for speed of the participants, it also is a charity event for the UK’s largest children's’ hospital.
Pony racing has been around for a very long time. One of the oldest races, but one you’re not likely to be able to sign up for, is held in conjunction with the summer Naadam Festival in Mongolia. The pony and child races have been held since before the time of Ghengis Khan. Young riders prepare all year before the summer festival. The child jockeys live with their trainer and are paid a small wage for their work. This is no gallop over a groomed track wearing the latest in safety equipment. Rather, the riders must traverse 10 to 35 kilometers of open steppe, often wearing traditional garb, and riding in simple traditional tack.
Children are used in these races because they are lighter. Riders are not expected to be skilled, and often tumble off during the race. In the longer races, that tax the endurance of both rider and mount, horses and riders have collapsed from exhaustion. These races have been the subject of controversy, with UNICEF issuing a statement reminding the government of Mongolia “that the use of children as jockeys for the purpose of making profit or entertainment is a violation of children's right to protection from exploitation and harmful labour and places them in great danger.” In 2013, two children were killed and 24 injured in the Nadaam races. Thankfully, strict laws and common sense protect our North American and European riders.
So, are you ready to tack up and race? What would your racing silks look like?
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