Pony Club activities take centre stage this summer

As the Summer Term gave way to school holidays, Racing to School traded racecourses for rallies as the busiest period for our Riders’ Programme activities got underway. Across the country, young equestrians at local Pony Club branches and centres have been taking part in summer camps and rallies where the highlight for many will be a visit from Racing to School for a Horse and Pony Racing Introduction workshop.

These workshops are delivered to young people aged 9-16 years and give an insight into the racing industry and its career paths.

With the help of a stable of Equicizers (racehorse simulators), the team – many of whom are ex-professional jockeys or bring experience from other positions within the industry – offer help and advice to these young riders. They explain how race-riding differs from the type of competing the young riders might be used to doing with their ponies. The groups also learn about the fitness levels required to be a jockey and beneficiaries are put through their paces, navigating a circuit including balance boards, mini hurdles and an agility ladder – equipment kindly funded by The Racing Foundation.

Carrie Ford, Regional Education Officer said: “Coming from a Pony Club background, it’s great to share my experience and knowledge of horseracing at camps and rallies. With our new equipment and the Equisizers we’re able to test the riders’ fitness and agility – the standard required to be a jockey always causes some shock!”

With so many choices available across the equine world, a career in horseracing might not have been considered by Pony Club members. These sessions highlight the range of opportunities the sport has to offer, as well as the variety of training routes, such as through the British Racing School or National Horseracing College.

The Pony Club camp visits form an important part of the Pony Racing Pathway, which is aimed at giving young riders a practical pathway into considering racing as a career route. This year, Racing to School will support the delivery of 57 events reaching over 2,000 young people as part of the programme.

If you would like to arrange a workshop for your Pony Club group, please contact the team using info@racingtoschool.co.uk.