The 2005 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, supported by the racing industry and The Pony Club, is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging 11-15 year olds to become jump jockeys.

This autumn's series, the second consecutive of its kind, is an initiative introduced following a 12 month review project undertaken to look at the sustainability and viability of Jump Racing in 2003. The British Horseracing Board's Jump Racing Review identified a need to encourage a wider spectrum of young British enthusiasts to consider developing a career as a Jump jockey and through introducing Pony Races across Britain we hope to attract many children to the sport giving them the opportunity to compete and consider a career as a jump jockey.

Pony Racing has long been a tradition in Ireland with many of today's top Irish born jockeys learning their skills and nurturing their talents through pony racing including APMcCoy, Ruby Walsh and Timmy Murphy. But not all jockeys are Irish! Richard Johnson, Robert 'Choc' Thornton and Joe Tizzard are just three English jockeys who have reached the top of their profession but each has acknowledged the benefit and help pony racing would have been to them.

"It's a great idea and I wish it had happened when I was younger. Pony racing in Ireland is so competitive, most of the Irish jockeys start off that way and are at such an advantage. It will give kids here a great opportunity to have a go at racing and hopefully the buzz will encourage some of them to carry on riding and become jump jockeys. It can only be a good thing and I'm right behind it."
Richard Johnson - top jockey & former Pony Club member

So competitors....hitch up your irons and have a go and spectators shout loud and cheer them home! We hope that each and every one will experience and enjoy the thrill of race riding and will be encouraged to speak with today's Trainers and Jockeys who fully support the 2005 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series.

For further information please visit www.ponyracing.info