How to race on ponies
Why get involved in pony racing?
It’s fun and fast! You get to learn how to race a pony while opening the doors to the different career opportunities that the horse racing industry has to offer. You don’t have to be a jockey to work in racing. There are many other areas on offer. For example, there are work riders who get the horses fit and care for them, vets, doctors and even people who specialise in hospitality, marketing, sales and much more.
What does pony racing involve and what happens in a pony race?
Pony racing involves learning the skills of being a jockey. You are taught about things like balance and fitness and even get to take part in a pony race at one of the many racecourses in the UK. Training sessions will teach you how to ride and look like a jockey. On the “race day”, you get to head down to the start and race a pony to the finish line. Your family and friends are welcome on the day to cheer you on.
Where does pony racing happen?
Throughout the UK. Wherever you live in England, Scotland or Wales, there should be a venue close by. You can see upcoming fixtures here to give you an idea. You can also search for your closest racecourse by using the Racecourse finder at the bottom of this article.
Who can take part?
Girls and boys from the age of 9 until their 17th birthday who own their own pony. Those who don’t own a pony need to be aged between 11 and 16.
Do you need to be experienced?
No, you just need to know the basics of riding, like walk, trot and canter. But don’t worry, there’s help around to get you getting started.
Do I need to have equipment?
Yes, there is a list of equipment that is required. You can see more details of that list here. Don’t worry, all of the riding schools are super friendly and can help with kit required where needed and if possible. Did you know you even get to wear the “colours” that a jockey races in – these are provided by the riding school for the race.
Do I need my own pony?
No. Pony racing is open to those who own or have access to their own pony, and to young people without a pony too, whether you live in the countryside or in the middle of a city.
What is the Pony Racing Authority?
The Pony Racing Authority (normally called the PRA) looks after and sets the rules for pony racing for young people in Great Britain. It provides pony racing opportunities to children with a pony and for those without their own pony.
Tell me more if I don’t own a pony…
The PRA has three courses aimed at young people between the ages of 11 and 16 who do not have a pony and cannot compete in pony racing due to financial or circumstantial reasons. Firstly, the PRA Pre Academy course is a great introduction to the sport and consists of six training sessions. The pony hire is funded. Riders for this course need to have been riding regularly at a riding school for at least a year. The PRA Academy course is held over 12 sessions and aimed at preparing to ride in a pony race. Again, pony hire is funded as well as the cost of the race day, and riders need to have been riding regularly at a riding school for at least 18 months. The PRA Academy Graduate Scholarship Programme is for Academy graduates who plan a career in the horse racing industry. You can read more about all the scholarship programmes here.
What are Taster Days?
The Pony Racing Taster Days are a great way to find out more about pony racing, and they are also a great day out for the whole family. They are unmounted – which means you don’t ride the ponies – but you get the chance to try out exercises used by jockeys and how to ride in a race position … on a mechanical horse! You can find out more about Taster Days here.
And what are Training Days?
If you have your own pony, Training Days could be just for you. You’ll be able to try pony racing, learn about balance and fitness, and where to line up and position yourself in a race. It’s a brilliant day out. Find out more about Training Days here.
Where can I find out more?
Head to the Pony Racing Authority website and for those looking to apply for fully-funded pony racing lessons as they do not own their own pony, see the Academy section to apply.
How do I apply?
If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 then you can apply on the BRS website here. No experience is necessary for the Foundation Course.
What is the National Horseracing College?
It delivers a wide range of training courses specifically aimed at the staffing needs of British horse racing. It means the majority of students go on to enjoy a career in the industry.
What type of courses are there?
Like British Racing School, the foundation course is the perfect place to start. But there’s a wide range of training courses to choose from. There’s equine grooming apprenticeships as well as a two-year course for 14-16 year-olds who spend one day a week during term-time at college.
There are more than a dozen courses, apprenticeships and training days. Go to the National Horseracing College website for more details.
Case Studies
Case study 1 – Aamilah Aswat’s Racing Journey
Aamilah started her racing journey through the Pony Racing Authority Academy Scheme. She was riding at St James City Farm in Gloucester, a riding school that’s sadly no longer trading, when she applied for a place.
Aamilah was awarded a place on the Academy Scheme in 2016, training at the PRA Academy based at Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre. Along with other riders, she worked on her fitness using unmounted exercises, learning new skills such as the race position and bridging her reins, and then taking these new skills into the riding sessions. The training lasted around a year before Aamilah raced at Cheltenham in April 2017. Her second opportunity was on the Graduate Programme in April 2018.
There is no doubt that the Academy was instrumental in igniting Aamilah’s passion for racing. Following the PRA Academy course, she went on to the Riding a Dream Academy followed by the Foundation Course at the BRS.
Aamilah raced into the history books on 2 February 2026 as the first black and South Asian British woman to win a jumps race – she was on board Guchen at Kempton for trainers Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls. Aamilah & Guchen have since followed up with a second victory on 27 February 2026 at Newbury.
Case study 2 – Cleopatra Cojocariu
Cleo’s journey started by chance at a Pony Racing Taster Day at her riding school in London in February 2023. That experience really sparked her interest and she went along to a Taster Day in Ascot two months later so she could visit a racecourse and see pony racing in action.
She loved it and applied for a place on the Academy Scheme a few days later. She started her course in Sussex in July 2023 and her first race was at Lingfield Park in October that year. She was hooked and knew that racing was her future.
Cleo went on to graduate at British Racing School’s Foundation Course after completing her GCSEs and started an apprenticeship with Sir Mark Prescott, one of the country’s leading horse trainers.
Cleo’s mum said: “I cannot thank everyone enough who was involved and supported Cleo on her journey. The ponies that also contributed to her success will always be in her heart.”
