Young jockeys can win made-to-measure racing gear, a place at the British Racing School’s pony racing camp and other top prizes in two new awards schemes launched by the Pony Racing Authority (PRA).
The Rose Bengal scholarship and the Rose Bengal leading rider awards will reward, encourage and further develop four riders at the end of the 2009 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series.
The awards are named after Rose Bengal ridden by Philip Prince, one of the most successful racing ponies since the PRA was formed in 2004.
They will be based on a points system with riders awarded points, on a sliding scale, for their winning and placed rides throughout the current Series.
The riders who accumulate the most points in the 138cm and under and 148cm and under races will each receive a prize that includes made to measure racing boots and breeches, two days private tuition at the British Racing School and a perpetual trophy.
And scholarships will be awarded to one rider from each race category who has consistently shown hard work, commitment, dedication and improvement throughout the 2009 season.
Nominations will be made after each fixture by the PRA steward and the PRA board will decide the eventual winners.
Prizes include measure racing gear and a week long attendance at the British Racing School’s Pony Racing camp.
The awards will be presented at Cheltenham’s opening meeting 16 October.
Rebecca Morgan, chief executive of the PRA, said; “We are delighted to launch these two new awards to reward and encourage future jockeys, and to play a further role in their continued involvement and development in the sport of horseracing.
“Both awards are generously supported by the Prince family and I would like to thank them for their generosity in helping us establish both awards.”
