Equipment
There will be a mandatory tack check which all Ponies and Riders participating on the day will be required to attend.
Ponies must be turned out with well fitted and properly maintained saddlery. If in the opinion of The PRA Steward or Organisers a Pony is turned out in badly
fitting or unsafe tack may result in the Pony being withdrawn and prevented from Starting.
No Pony shall enter the parade ring or run in shoes which have protrusions on the ground surface other than calkins or studs on the hind limited to 3/8” in
height. The Owner is responsible for ensuring that their Pony is shod in accordance.
The following are not permitted in any recognised Pony Race – bandages, whips, spurs, nickel bits, prickers, nickel stirrup irons, blinkers, hoods, eyeshields,
eyecovers, visors, sheepskin cheek pieces, ear plugs, nasal strips, tongue ties, jewellery and watches. Any Rider deemed by The PRA Steward or Organisers to have used
their reins in the manner of a whip, or to otherwise strike or encourage a Pony, may be disqualified from the race and have 10 points deducted from them and the Pony they
were riding at the time of the offence.
Racing saddles and race exercise saddles must measure no less than 16'' (40.6cm) from front arch to cantle, weigh a minimum 3lbs and must include saddle, stirrup
leathers, stirrup irons, girth and surcingle. racing saddles must be used with a racing breastplate or breastgirth. Any Rider attempting to weigh with or use any saddle
that contravenes Regulations may have 10 points deducted from them and the Pony they are Declared to ride on the day and will not be permitted to ride unless weighed out
with a saddle that meets the requirement of Regulation 32.
Saddle savers are not permitted. At the discretion of The PRA Steward and / or Organisers, Owners may be requested to remove pades if deemed
unnecessary.
Footwear must either be correctly fitting racing boots with racing irons or Jodhpur boots / riding boots with safety irons. A combination of either will not be
permitted. Jodhpur boots must have a smoorth, thin sole and well defined cut heel. All footwear must have a thin sole and well defined heel.
An overgirth (surcingle) and neck strap are mandatory as is an Irish martingale unless using a running martingale.
Only bits which meet the approval of a Veterinary Surgeon will be permitted. Hackamore bits are not permitted.
Reins must be stitched to or fastened by a buckle to the bridle. They must not be attached by a billet.
Every Pony running shall carry a number cloth provided by the organiser and the Owner is responsible for ensuring it is worn so that the number is clearly
visible and is the correct one for the Pony. The Parent / legal guardian or nominated representative is responsible fot ensuring their Pony is properly saddled when it
leaves the parade ring.
Silks / racing colours are to be provided by the competitors.
It is the parent / legal guardian/nominated representative responsibility to ensure the Rider and Pony's equipment meets the specifications required to compete.
No form of advertising or sponsorship will be permitted either on the Pony, its Rider, or its attendants other than the race sponsor.
Skull Caps
(i) No Rider shall be mounted nor shall they ride in any race unless wearing a correctly fitted and fastened skull cap of a pattern approved by The PRA. The skull cap
must be fastened at all times whilst mounted. The sole responsibility for the wearing of and the serviceable condition of the skull cap, which must not be modified in any
way, is that of the parent/legal guardian. Any Rider found to be mounted on any part of the venue not wearing a correctly fitted and fastened skull cap will be
disqualified.
(ii) Only skull caps that satisfy all the requirements laid down below are approved for use by a Rider;
(a) PAS 015:1998, EN 1384:1996, BS EN 1384:1997 (all must carry BSI Kitemark) or;
(b) Snell E2001 with the official Snell label and number or;
(c) AS/NZS 3838:1998, or AS/NZS 3838:2003 with SAI global symbol.
(iii) Skull caps must not have a chin cup, cradle or draw lace and must be in a serviceable condition. The skull cap must be of the correct size for the individual Rider
and may not be modified in any way.
(iv) The chin strap must pass under the jaw and be attached to the harness by a quick release buckle. Metal hooks are not permitted.
(v) The skull cap must be of the correct size for the individual Rider and may not be modified in any way.
(vi) As skull caps are designed for “single impact only” any skull cap which has been subjected to a severe impact or has been worn by a Rider suffering concussion should
be replaced.
Body Protectors
Body protectors must conform to EN 13158:2000 or BS EN 13158:2000 or BS EN 13158:2009.
Body Protectors may not be modified in any way and must be in a serviceable condition.
Body cages are not permitted
Medical Cards & Parental Responsibility
(i) It is the parent / legal guardian or if applicable nominated representative's sole responsibility to ensure that their child is fit to ride on the day.
(ii) Riders must be in possession of a Medical Armband and Medical Record & Achievement Book which must be presented for inspection to The PRA Steward or nominated Official
when declaring the Pony to run on the day, and the Medical Armband worn at all times when mounted. In the event of either not being available an instant fine of £25 will
be imposed on the day and the Rider maynot be permitted to take part.
(iii)The welfare and safety of the Rider participating in the Pony Race is the sole responsibility of the parent / legal guardian or nominated representative whilst at the
venue and should the Rider fall whilst riding it is their responsibility to present the Rider to the Medical Officer on duty on the day immediately after the Race
/fall.
All Riders must be declared on the day by their parent / legal guardian or nominated representative confirming in writing they are the individual responsible for
the Rider on that day.
The parent / legal guardian shall be responsible for paying the fee of any fine imposed upon their Rider for any breaches of the Pony Racing Regulations.
Saddling
(i) The Owner is responsible for seeing that their Pony leaves the Paddock properly saddled. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the full number on
the saddle cloth is visible.
(ii) The Starter will report to The PRASteward all cases where he considers a Pony has been improperly saddled.