Latest PRA News

The 2012 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series dates are now published.  Details for some courses will be confirmed as soon as possible.  In all instances, if a Pony and Rider's name is not listed on the website when Entries are published it should be assumed that the combination have been balloted.  Contact will no longer be made direct from the PRA so please refer to the website for confirmation of runners and riders.

A PRA PC Training Day will take place on Saturday 18th February at Gatehouse Cote, Hawick, Scottish Borders.  For further details please go to the Training Days section of this website. 

Devon & Cornwall area Pony Race entries for the Mid Devon meeting at Black Forest Lodge close on Saturday January 28. Entry forms, along with a £15 cheque made out to the host hunt, plus a full photocopy of the pony’s passport and height certificate, and an email contact address, should be sent to area entries secretary Mrs Claire Hitch at Barn Lane Farm, Stoke Rivers, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 7LD (Tel: 01598 710495).  Mrs Hitch takes all entries for the area and entries will always close on the Saturday a week prior to the race meeting. Information will be emailed out after entries close and up to date area information can always be found on the Facebook page, Devon and Cornwall Pony Racing.  Only riders residing in the Devon and Cornwall point to point Area are eligible for the finals at Umberleigh.

The Fitness For Pony Racing one day course at Oaksey House will now take place on Friday 17th February 2012.  All other details as per below. 

Classic Boots will be providing a pair of bespoke made-to-measure racing boots as a prize at each of the 11 Devon & Cornwall Area Pony Races this season, awarded for the 'best ride' on the day.

Philip Wood, from the north Yorkshire based company said: "We just want to support young riders and provide a prize that anyone was eligable to win, not just those with the fastest ponies.  They can chose between lightweight NH boots or Flat boots."

Devon & Cornwall Point-to-Point Pony Race Coordinator Lee Glanville commented: "This is a terrific prize, well worth winning.  We are very greatful for Classic Boots for supporting our sport and I am sure there will be hot competition amongst the jockeys to win the boots."

The area is also gratfeul to George Welch for sponsoring jackets for riders in the area.

Oaksey House in Lambourn is organising a one day 'Fitness for Pony Racing' course on Tuesday 14th February for 12 - 16 year olds.  The day will include;
- learn how to imrpove your fitness
- increase your knowledge of fitness techniques
- write your own fitness programme
- learn how to fall using the air track
- tuition from professional jockey coaches on the equicizer
- improve your diet for race riding
The cost is just £20pp and to find out more or book a place please call Frankie Naylor at the IJF's Oaksey House on 01488 674 242

The West Midland Point-to-Point Pony Racing Schedule for 2012 is now available. Click here to see full details

The East Anglian Pony Racing Schedule for 2012 is now available. Click here to see full details.

2011 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series – click here to see full results.

The Northern Racing College's Pony Racing Camp will take place from 4th - 8th June 2012.  It is a great way to learn more about Pony Racing and what's required.  To find out more and / or book a place call the NRC on 01302 861 000. 

Follow the PRA on Twitter (gbponyracing) and Facebook (Pony Racing GB) to see regular updates on graduates, a weekly round up of winners and other notices / announcements. 

The PRA website will be updated shortly with 2012 Membership Forms, Pony Registration Forms and Entry Forms.  The fixture lists will also shortly be publihsed however there is likely to be a delay with the 2012 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series until the BHA's fixture list for 2012 is confirmed. 

The following statement is issued from the Board of the Pony Racing Authority;

In 2012 the minimum Rider age in Point-to-Point Pony Races will be 9 years (on day of the race) and 11 years (1st January 2012) for the Racecourse Series.  The PRA Board apologises unreservedly if the reversal of this Regulation from 2011 PRA Regulations causes any inconvenience or disappointment.  The PRA Board made its decision based on research and comment from those involved in organising Point-to-Point and Racecourse Series Pony Racing.  It was felt that Riders should have the opportunity of gaining two years race riding experience before riding in the Racecourse Series which is a more competitive and formal experience altogether.   

Following a breach of PRA Regulation 7 at Goodwood Racecourse resulting in a Non-Runner, Riders and parents / legal guardians are reminded that all Riders must attend the Official Briefing and Course Walk.  If for any reason you are running late you must inform the PRA steward and must not rely on arriving late and being allowed to compete. 

Following the July PRA Board Meeting the following fees were set for 2012;
 - £30 PRA Membership including new limited Personal Accident insurance
 - £20 Racecourse Series Entry Fee

Pony Racing rider Stan Sheppard recently attended a Pony Racing Camp at the BRS.  Read how it was reported in the Hereford Times www.herefordtimes.com/sport/9206674.Stan_racing_to_success_as_he_follows_in_family_footsteps

The PRA is now on Facebook as Pony Racing GB - the only offical Pony Racing page on Facebook.   

Ben-Neagh Spring Rascal was called for re-measurement by the JMB and following the result of the re-measurement the Pony is now only permitted to run in 148cm & Under Pony Races in line with PRA Regulation 25.  Accordingly all fees liable by the Owner have been paid and Entries for the Pony are permitted. 

Entries for Red Pepper and Springs will not be accepted until further notice following a breach of PRA Regulation 52(i). 

The BHA's website has a very informative page to assist people with information and advice on Equine Influenza Vaccinations and ID, amongst other things.  To view the page visit www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/equine-science-and-welfare/

Following it being brought to the PRA Board's attention that Mr Chris Willet had failed to provide to the PRA information requested from him, the PRA Board has determined that Mr Chris Willet be suspended from participation in PRA Pony Racing until further notice.  In the event that Mr Chris Willet complies with the request for information, the PRA Board will consider any application from Mr Willet that his suspension be lifted. 

Visit www.youtube.com/user/BritishRacingSchool?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/xQ4aEF3sEgY to see a great demonstration by the BRS on how to tack up your Pony for Pony Racing.  

Follow Pony Racing on http://twitter.com/#!/gbponyracing 

The Disciplinary Panel of the Pony Racing Authority was convened on 28^th March 2011 to consider the following matters;

 

i.              Whether or not in registering the racing pony known as Footsie Mrs Susan Pickering, Mr Marc Harrison and Mr Alan Dean had made a false declaration as to the ownership of Footsie when completing its 2010 Pony Registration Certificate

ii.            Whether or not Mr Alan Dean is a suitable person to own racing ponies and to be involved with the sport of pony racing.

 

The Panel heard from the PRA’s legal representative Mr Rory Mac Neice, from the Chief PRA Steward Mrs Caroline Hutsby and from the Chief Executive of the PRA Miss Rebecca Morgan.  The panel also heard evidence from Mr Dean and Mr Harrison and reviewed a letter from Mrs Pickering who did not attend the hearing in person.

 

Having heard all of the evidence the Disciplinary Panel held that;

i.             Mrs Pickering, Mr Dean and Mr Harrison failed to declare the true ownership of Footsie when registering the pony for the 2010 season.

ii.            That Mr Dean was not a suitable person to own racing ponies or to be involved with the sport of pony racing. 

 

The Disciplinary Panel imposed the following penalties;

i.              As to the false registration regarding Footsie Mrs Pickering and Mr Harrison were each fined a sum of £250 and Mr Dean was fined the sum of £500, in all cases payment to be made within 14 days.

ii.             That Mr Dean be declared a disqualified person and excluded from all PRA events for the period of 12 months from 1^st April 2011 up to and including 31^st March 2012.

85 Pony Racing graduates now hold an amateur or professional Jump or Flat Riders' License through the BHA. 

The PRA Board has disqualified Footsie, Made In China, Maghera Tom and The Sprout from competing in PRA Pony Races for failing to comply with PRA Regulation 12 - No Pony that has raced under the Rules of any recognised Turf Authority including the Arab Racing Organisation may compete.  In accordance with PRA Regulations it is the responsibility of the Owner to ensure a Pony's eligability for Pony Racing. 

The Pony Registration Certificate of Joker Jack has been withdrawn following a breach of PRA Regulation 10. 

The PRA Board has withdrawn the Pony Registration Certificates of Footsie and Maghera Tom following breach of PRA Regulation 12.  Investigations are on-going involving the PRA, BHA and Trading Standards. 

Rhoden Midnight Diamond has had its Pony Registration Certificate witheld by The PRA Board.  PRA Regulation 24 was contravened and therefore the Pony is no longer eligable to compete for the remainder of the current Pony Racing season. 

The PRA Board have withdrawn the Pony Registration Certificate of Sianwood Owen for 2010.  The Pony is therefore not eligable to be Entered or run in Pony Races for the remainder of this season.  In the opinion of The PRA Board and Pony Racing organisers the Pony was deemed unsuitable for Pony Racing this season.

The PRA Board have withdrawn the Pony Registration Certificate of Fiddlers Bridge for 2010.  The Pony is therefore not eligable to be Entered or run in Pony Races for the remainder of this season.  In the opinion of The PRA Board and Pony Racing organisers the Pony was deemed unsuitable for Pony Racing this season.   

The PRA Board have withdrawn the Pony Registration Certificate belonging to Fritzz.  The Pony is therefore not eligable to be Entered in or to run in Pony Races.  It is the opinion of The PRA Board that the Pony is unsuitable to Pony Racing and poses a serious risk to not only those riding and leading it up but also to others within the Pony's vicinity on a raceday.     

2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Results

Please click here to see last season's results