Pony racers battled it out in the Charles Owen Pony Racing Championships held at Aintree race course.

Sponsored by the riding hat and safety equipment manufacturers Charles Owen, the racing championships saw 24 riders, aged between 11 and 16, compete for the title. Riders, such as champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ daughter Megan, qualified for the major championship at the prestigious Aintree Racecourse on Saturday (22nd October).

Pony racing has gone from strength to strength over the years with the sport growing rapidly and 92 riders, who progressed from pony racing roots, are now fully licensed jockeys. More than 200 races have been held this year around the country for Pony Club race days or at point-to-point racecourses.

Well known jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, who is now a pony club racer turned professional, said, “My brother Willy and I learnt so much from pony racing — from how fit you need to be, to race-riding skills and tactics and general racing etiquette.”

The Charles Owen Riding Hat Championships were split into 138cm and under ponies, which raced over six furlongs, and 148cm and under ponies, racing over nine furlongs.

Chief executive of the Pony Racing Authority Rebecca Morgan explained, “This season has been the most competitive and successful yet. We are really seeing the rewards of the initiative now, with nearly 100 jockeys having graduated through pony racing.”

For more information on pony racing and to get involved, please visit www.pra-gb.com