Latest PRA News

Congratulations to the following Pony Racing graduates who rode Point-to-Point Winners last weekend - Jake Greenal (Cumberland Farmers and Derwent), Jack Barber (East Devon), Grant Cockburn (College Valley & North Northumberland), George Henderson (Cottesmore), Nick Slatter (Ross Harriers) and Gina Andrews (Suffolk).  If your name is not listed and you have ridden winners or recently ridden in your first Point-to-Point The PRA would love to hear from you!

Congratulations to the following Pony Racing graduates who rode Point-to-Point Winners last weekend - Jake Greenall (Cumberland Farmers and Derwent), Jack Barber (East Devon), Grant Cockburn (College Valley & North Northumberland), George Henderson (Cottesmore), Nick Slatter (Ross Harriers) and Gina Andrews (Suffolk).  If your name is not listed and you have ridden winners or recently ridden in your first Point-to-Point The PRA would love to hear from you!

Congratulations to the following Pony Racing graduates who rode Point-to-Point Winners last weekend - Jake Greenall (Cumberland Farmers and Derwent), Jack Barber (East Devon), Grant Cockburn (College Valley & North Northumberland), George Henderson (Cottesmore), Nick Slatter (Ross Harriers) and Gina Andrews (Suffolk).  If your name is not listed and you have ridden winners or recently ridden in your first Point-to-Point The PRA would love to hear from you!

The Rose Bengal Scholarship is rewarding riders (one in each race category) that have consistently shown hard work, dedication, commitment and improvement throughout the Charles Owen Pony Racing Series which takes place on racecourses. It uncludes one weeks tuition at the British Racing School or Northern Racing College, personailised racing breeches, made to measure racing boots, a racing saddle, 12 months membership to the Jockeys Association, and a VIP day at Cheltenham Racecourse with Channel 4 Racing, including private tuition on a mechanical horse from top jump jockeys and media training.

When making entries for Point-to-Point pony races please make sure your pony is registered as per Regulation 14 (i) page 6 of the Regulation Booklet.

Ponies must be registered by 12 noon the Monday before the meeting. no late registrations or incomplete ones will be accepted after this date.

PRC forms must be sent to Caroline Hutsby along with a complete copy of the passport (including vaccination page), a picture of the pony signed by the DC or Hunt Secretary and if applicable (reg 16ii) a copy of a valid JMB height certificate.

Congratulations to the following Pony Racing graduates who rode Point-to-Point winners last weekend - Sam Twiston-Davies, Jack Barber, Jake Greenall, Bridget Andrews and Gina Andrews. 

The 138cm race at The Mid Surrey Drag meeting at Godstone on Sunday 7th March will be over 5 furlongs, not 7 furlongs as per the schedule.

The Taunton Vale Harriers meeting at Kingston St Mary on 28th February 2010 has been abandoned due to a water logged course.

For in depth reviews from Point-to-Point Pony Races click here

The Duke of Beaufort's Point-to-Point Pony Racing 6th March
New for this year the Beaufort Hunt is holding Point-to-Point pony racing, scheduled before the point-to-point racing it will stage a 138cm race and a 148cm race. Entries please to Rosemary Charrington as per the information on the fixture list.

The JMB offices will be closed from 7th - 30th May 2010.  Owners should post equine passports with JMB pages in them for updating with a recent measurement to the JMB so that they can be returned before the office closes.

Official Measurers will be told not to send Measurement Application Forms and existing JMB Measurement Certificates to arrive during this period.  Passports with JMB pages will be updated and sent back to owners as long as both the Measurement Application Forms and the passports are received before 6th May.  Owners are reminded that once an animal's passport is posted the animal cannot be moved from its stable or field and that if the passport cannot be returned within 5 working days a temporary passport has to be applied for.

 

When making entries for Point-to-Point pony races please make sure your pony is registered as per Regulation 14 (i) page 6 of the Regulation Booklet.
'PRCs must be recieved in post or in person by the Chief PRA Steward no later than 12noon on a monday in order to be eligible to enter in races whose entries close the following Friday.'

Pony Racing graduate Philip Prince successfuly gained his license from the BHA last year, and rode his first winner aboard Miss Firefly for Ron Hodges at Wolverhampton at the beginning of February.  Philip features in the BBC's See Hear television programme on Monday 10th March which includes an interview about Philip with former Flat racing legend Willie Carson.   

Pony Racing graduate Philip Prince successfuly gained his license from the BHA last year, and rode his first winner aboard Miss Firefly for Ron Hodges at Wolverhampton at the beginning of February.  Philip features in the BBC's See Hear television programme on Monday 10th March which includes an interview about Philip with Flat racing legend Willie Carson.   

The Carmarthenshire meeting at Erw Lon on Saturday 20th February has been POSTPONED due to snow. They are currently looking for an alternative date.

Congratulations to Pony Racing graduates Jack Barber (Thisthatandtother at Milborne St Andrew) and Nick Slatter (Fifty Yearson at Barbury Racecourse) who both rode Point-to-Point winners last weekend.

For riders who have progressed from Pony Racing, you may wish to consider ARO's 2010 Jockey Development Programme which is aimed at helping aspring riders take the next step.  Visit www.aroracing.co.uk   to find out more, the closing date is 11th March. 

Former Pony Racing rider Grant Cockbrun rode his first Point-to-Point winner at the Jedforest Point-to-Point last weekend in the PPORA Novice Riders' race at Friarshaugh aboard Quinder Spring for Lucinda Russell. 

Congratulations to Pony Racing graduate David Pritchard who won his first race against professionals earlier this week aboard Bella Haze at Ludlow Racecourse.  David has previosuly ridden two Pony Racing winners on Flanders Field.

2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Results

Please click here to see last season's results

The 2009 Rose Bengal Rider Award winners have secured the following placements in Trainer's Yard as part of their award.  Rachel Leyshon - Philip Hobbs, George Crate - Sir Mark Prescott and Alex French - Michael Bell.  Sadly, Jess Benfield has broken her knee cap and is unable to enjoy her placement that had been arranged for Nigel Twiston-Davies. 

Unfortunatley The Pentyrch Hunt at Bonvilston on 24th April 2010 will no longer be staging Pony Racing.

The YORKSHIRE AREA CLUB MEETING has been cancelled for the 2nd time - it will not be taking place on Sunday 24th January. However connections are looking to try and find another date. the website will be updated when details have been confirmed.

The new website of The PRA is intended to provide Riders, those involved and organisers with more information than has previously been available. We hope you will enjoy the new website, and would welcome any comments or suggestions you may have on further improvements that could be made. The PRA Board wish all of its members a very merry Christmas, happy New Year and good luck in Pony Races during 2010.

Oliver Murphy, a graduate of Pony Racing, recently rode a winner at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse aboard Life Long, and was joined by fellow Pony Racing graduate Felix de Giles who also rode a winner on the same card for Nicky Henderson. Pony Racing rider Shelley Birkett recently enjoyed a visit to Lexington in Kentucky, USA. Newmarket is twinned with Lexington and Shelley won her place on the trip with a party of young people from her performance whilst training at the BRS, the School paid for a proportion of the costs. Whilst out there, Shelley enjoyed training and riding at the North American Racing Academy and rode work for local trainers.

28 riders from the Devon and Cornwall and Wessex point to point areas attended a training day held by the Northern Racing College at Stetcholt near Bridgwater. To find out more about the successful day click here. The first Pony Racing fixture of the season in the South West is at the Mid Devon point to point on January 31. For full details of Devon and Cornwall and Wessex area pony race fixtures click here and here.

Congratulations to Pony Racing graduate Edward Glassonbury who recently rode a winner at Exeter Racecourse for Victor Dartnell aborad French Leave. Hadden Frost, another graduate, finished third in the same race!

Philip Prince, a graduate of Pony Racing, was recently granted his Amateur Rider's Licence by the BHA and hopes to enjoy his first ride on the Flat for Ron Hodges on Monday 30th November at Wolverhapton Racecourse. Philip, who was born with one ear and a lopsided jaw, had his initial application for his licence turned down by the BHA's Medical Review Panel on grounds of partial deafness. Philip is now based with West Ilsey trainer Mick Channon having spent two years work experience with Ron and Mandy Hodges

The 2010 PRA Regulations have been updated, as has the 2010 PRA Membership Form. All Ponies competing in 2010 Pony Races must hold a Pony Registration Certificate (PRC) which is now available on this website. The 2010 Pony Racing Entry Form and Point-to-Point fixtures will be available shortly.

A ballot to fill the 15th place in the 138cm & Under Charles Owen Pony Racing Finals was drawn for the ponies sharing 8 points and the same qualifying form. Little Lord William was randomly drawn by the Director of Racing's office at Cheltenham and will run in The Finals.

Brightwells is holidng its fourth annual Sale of Racing Ponies at Ascot Racecourse on 3rd November 2009. For further information and to make an Entry for the Sale visit www.brightwells.com (Equine / Specialist sales).

PRA Members are advised of the balloting procedure for the 2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series. Ponies that are balloted are given preference to run for their next Entry only. All ballots are conducted purely randomly by an individual at Cheltenham Racecourse. Ponies may be balloted on more than one occassion.

Entries for Newcastle Pony Races have closed and been published. Due to the low number of Entries both Pony Races will be run combined as one race with the highest placed in each category gaining their points.

Congratulations to Gina Andrews who continues to ride successfully Under Rules having progressed from Pony Racing. Gina's most recent winner was at Thirsk on 1st August aboard Titus Gent.

OB One has recently been presented for re-measurement to the Joint Measurement Board (JMB) and measured 148cm. The pony is now able to compete in the 2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series and its position and points reinstated. The relevant results and points will be amended accordingly. The PRA Board is concerned to make clear that in accordance with JMB Rules which are incorporated into The PRA Regulations that all ponies called for re-measurement must be presented within 21 days. As a consequence of some ponies which have been called for re-measurement not being presented within the 21 day requirement by The PRA Board gives advance warning that from the beginning of the 2010 season any pony that is not presented within the time stipulated by the JMB Rules will be automatically barred from being entered in future Pony Races during the current season and will have any points awarded during the current season deducted, whether or not the pony is subsequently presented for re-measurement after the 21 days period has elapsed. These sanctions will be in addition to the sanctions that already exist with the respect of re-mesurement of ponies.

Pony Racing recently enjoyed a double at Worcester Racecourse on 23rd July when Felix de Giles and Sam Twiston-Davies, both Pony Racing graduates, rode winners.

In accordance with PRA Regulation 20 So Lord has been re-measured by the Joint Measurement Baord at 138cm.

Classical Night Star has been disqualified from the 148cm & Under Charles Owen Pony Race at Perth Racecourse on 12th July for failing to comply with Regulation 49(iii).

Following the disqualification of OB One from Pony Racing the results from Towcester have been amended and Pony points reallocated.

The rescheduled Oxford University Hunt Club Point-to-Point meeting at Kingston Blount will now take place on Saturday 6th June. Entries for their Pony Races close on Saturday 30th May. Pony Racing in the West Midlands Area successfully concluded at Upper Sapey Point-to-Point on Sunday 17th May. The following Ponies were disqualified from their Pony Races due to their Riders contravening Regulation 27; Red Pepper She's Wicked

Pony Races at the Quorn Hunt's Point-to-Point at Garthorpe on 19th April have been cancelled due to insufficient Entries.

The following Ponies have been disqualified, with imemdiate effect, as a consequence of their height certificates being withdrawn and declared invalid by the JMB; Little Quaker OB One Strongbow

Congratulations to Jake Greenall who won a Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton Racecourse on 11th May aboard Pseudonym for trainer Milton Harris.

Becky Brisbourne and Hector Worsley, winners of the 2008 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, will each be receiving an award at the prestigious Anglo Irish Jump Racing Awards in London on Monday 18th May. It is the first time that the luncheon and awards will recognise and honour Pony Racing.

Congratulations to the following Pony Racing graduates who recently enjoyed Point-to-Point winners; Sam Drinkwater at the Cotswold Point-to-Point on 5th April Jake Greenall at the Middleton Point-to-Point on 5th April

Stallions and colts are not permitted to run in Pony Races. All ponies must be Mares or Geldings and aged 5 - 20 years. Chepstow Pony Races on Monday 13th April have been cancelled due to insufficient Entries.

Southwell Pony Races on Sunday 7th June have been rearranged and will now be held on Monday 10th August. Pony Races will not take place on 7th June. Entries for the Charles Owen Pony Races at Towcester on Sunday 12th April and Chepstow on Monday 13th April will remain open until Friday 3rd April.

The Cotswold Hunt Point-to-Point Pony Race on 5th April will be restricting its 138cm & Under race to Riders aged 12 years and under on the day of the race. There will also be a prize for the highest placed 128cm Pony. Entries £20.

Congratulations to Felix de Giles who rode his first Festival winner aboard Andytown for Nicky Henderson in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle. Sam Twiston-Davies also had two rides at The Festival, finishing third on Baby Run in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase.

Congratulations to Sam Twiston-Davies , Jack Barber, Oliver Murphy Jake Greenall and Jack Sherwood who have all recently enjoyed their first Point-to-Point successes. All enjoyed Pony Racing before progressing on to Point-to-Point riding. The PRA would like to hear from anybody who has competed in Pony Races, particualrly those that are now involved in racing in any way. Email info@pra.gb.com to let us know.