Budding young jockeys can improve their race riding skills at a pony camp this summer dedicated entirely to horse racing.
The new pony racing camp was launched at Badminton Horse Trials last week (7-10 May) by the Northern Racing College.
The five-day camp will be held from 17-21 August at the college in Doncaster.
The camp will include daily riding and equicisor lessons and instruction from professional jockeys. Riding will include mock race starts and simulated race conditions, and all riding will be videoed and reviewed with the college’s jockey coach daily.
There will also be a morning visit to a racing stables to watch horses on the gallops and an evening at the races with a behind-the-scenes tour. This will include a tour of the weighing room, a birds-eye view from the judge’s box and the commentary box as well as meeting the starter.
At the trainer’s yard children will learn about feeding and routine veterinary care, as well as about different training methods.
A spokesman for the Northern Racing College told H&H: “This is the first year we have organised a camp, although we have been offering pony racing training days for five years and have been involved in the technical delivery of the Charles Owen Racecourse Pony Racing Series since 2004.
“We only launched the camp last week and the response has been overwhelming to say the least. There is clearly a demand for this type of activity.”
Pony racing camp is open to wannabe jockeys between the ages of 11 and 15.
To attend campers must have completed a level 1 training day at the Northern Racing College or the British Racing School or competed in at least one Pony Club or point-to-point race.
Children must bring their own ponies.
“Ponies can be any height, breed and shape. A reasonable level of fitness is essential, but ponies don’t need to be race fit,” added the spokesman.
Places are limited to 12 jockeys and cost £300, with all jockey and pony accommodation, meals, tuition, use of facilities included.
To apply tel: 01308 861003 or email zoe.horne@northernracingcollege.co.uk
