The Foxfield Fall Pony Races, Charlottesville, VA • Sunday, Oct 2, 2022

After a long pandemic break… U.S. Pony Racing is back! The first official USPR event for 2021 will be a Pony Racing Clinic on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Monkton, Md. Anyone interested in attending should send a note to usponyracing@gmail.com and note where you will be coming from. We have not selected a time yet, but will be choosing it based on what seems convenient for most of the participants. Students will have the opportunity to be approved on their mount for upcoming pony races. There will be unmounted and mounted sessions covering starting line procedure, attire, race day protocol, fitness, how to manage your mount at speed, and participants will have the opportunity to ride “Sparky” the USPR Equicizer. The clinic fee will be $30 per rider.

U.S. Pony Racing hosted events are BACK! USPR will be hosting its first day of racing since March of 2020. The 9th running of the Chasin’ for Children Pony Races held at Pimlico Racecourse will be on Sunday, June 20th, post time 11:15 am. All entries in this event must be pre-approved on their pony before their entry will be accepted, with leadline trot race being the exception. Pre-approval can be obtained by attending the above clinic with the mount the rider wishes to enter in the pony races at Pimlico.

Seven races will be carded at Chasin’ for Children and will consist of three leadline trot races as well as flat race divisions for small, medium, large and Shetland ponies. All ponies are required to be a minimum of 5 years old and be within the height requirement of their division. A third division of the leadline trot will accommodate riders over 7 years of age that are not quite ready to cut loose.

And They’re Off…

Pony racing kicked off the spring this past Saturday, March 14th at the Aiken Trials in Aiken, South Carolina.  But first, a pony racing clinic was hosted the evening, March 13^th, before at the Whitney Polo Field in Aiken to ensure all participants knew the drill.  TGSF sponsored the education event that focused on safety, strategy, and race riding basics.  Led by Hall of Famer trainer Janet Elliot and NSA trainer Allison Fulmer, approximately 30 juniors gathered for the experience.  Clinic attendance was required for all new pony/rider combinations who have not raced in a U.S. Pony Racing event before.  The group was treated to a BBQ dinner hosted by the Aiken Trials

On Saturday, 34 pony and young rider entries headed to the start for the 3^rd running of the Aiken Pony Derby. “This is the third year the Trials have offered pony races, which has added greatly to our event,” said pony race chair and Aiken-resident, Wendy Gutfarb.  “The pony races have been a spectator favorite and something you hear folks talk about out and about in town.  We are very excited to work with U.S. Pony Racing to bring pony racing to the South.”

The day opened with three lead line trot divisions and Christopher McElyea aboard Wellington, Emmo Graf Grote aboard Simply Too Cute, and Cameron Cary Nuese aboard Kula Kai took home their first trophy.  Next, Taylor Kingsley rode her first winner of the day in the large pony flat in a nine pony field.  Noelle Railey captured the small and Shetland pony divisions aboard Funsize and Carroway Tuesday.  Jockey Taylor Smith also broke his maiden aboard Kiss My Sass in the medium pony flat against four other entries.  And Kingsley closed out the Trials with her second win on the day aboard retired NSA campaigner Odi Et Amo in the young rider flat.

“The Aiken pony races have grown exponentially since their inception in 2018.  Entries in the first running were largely from the mid-Atlantic area, but this year only seven entries shipped in from the north!  U.S. Pony Racing is excited to be a part of helping popularize pony racing in the southern region and we hope for an even bigger response next year.  We could not have done this without the help of Jenna Isennock and Alison Fulmer.  And the Aiken Trials get huge kudos for being very welcoming to the young riders,” said U.S. Pony Racing director, Regina Welsh.

You can watch a news clip here about the Aiken Trials and how they proceeded despite the COVID-19 situation.  The pony races are featured throughout the news clip.  

Movin’ on Up….

Check out 17 year old Charlie Marquez!  Three wins on one day at Laurel, and this isn’t his first hat trick!  Marquez was a regular on the pony racing circuit before taking out his flat license. Marquez rode his last pony race last spring for owner/trainer Elizabeth McCue and now with $512,494 in purse earnings is currently sitting in third place for Laurel’s winter meet with 24 victories from 132 mounts, right behind meet leader Trevor McCarthy (38) and Alex Cintron (26).  Read about Marquez’ success in theracingbiz.com’s, Bug Boy Marquez Posts Sunday Hat Trick.

Pony Races at the Callaway Steeplechase
Pine Mountain, GA
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Post Time: TBA

RACE ENTRY FEE $30

RACE 1
FUN SIZE PONY FLAT RACE
About 1/4 mile, left handed course. For riders who have not reached their 16th bday as of January 1st on ponies 14.2 and under. Winner take all, no separation of divisions.

RACE 2
Field Master’s Chase
For Large ponies ridden by riders who have not reached their 16th birthday as of January 1st. Riders must follow behind a field master and jump all of the jumps in order without passing the Field Master. After the final fence, the Field Master will signal to the field to race to the finish on the flat.

RACE 3
Young Rider Flat Race
For amateur young riders 15-21 years old on horses at least 5 years of age. Distance about 1 1/4 mile. Entries must be approved by the race committee. Riders are not to have won a sanctioned jump or flat race. Racing tack permitted, but will be inspected and may be requested to be altered by race officials. Catch weights. No spurs.

*****PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR ADJUSTMENT IN RACE CONDITIONS

Sept 6, 2019  * NEW FOR 2019:The Maryland Jockey Club has requested that the running of this years pony races at the Maryland Million be by invitation only by the MJC.  No entries new to racing  will be accepted this year due to time constraints.  Limitations as far as field size have been put in place due to parking limitations and time constraints.  If you have had a successful start at a race track, are able to behave at the starts, can pull up before the turn, and you can ship in on a trailer with multiple entries, you could be eligible.  The MJC will have full authority as to who is allowed to participate in this race day.  One small/Shetland division and one large/medium division will be run.  Divisions will be placed separately, but run together*

Junior racing for the fall is limited. The Essex Fox Hounds will be hosting. a fun day of racing on Oct 5th in Gladstone, NJ. This is not a USPR operated race, but will be run in a similar fashion with similar rules. Aside from this and Shetland Steeplechase Exhibitions, the only other two races for juniors this fall will be at the PA Hunt Cup and the Steeplechase at Callaway. Conditions for both of those meets have yet to be put together, but look for some new divisions at both!

This year the My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase will open with Leadline Trot Races. Races are open to riders who have not had their 7th birthday as of January 1st on well-behaved ponies at least 5 years of age. The race will be in the stretch to the wire. Ponies many trot or walk. Ponies breaking to a canter must pull up and resume trotting. No whips, blinkers, or spurs. If entries warrant, the race may be split into two divisions. All entries may be assigned a leader by US Pony Racing. Entries should realize that this is meant to be a fun and safe experience for the rider and if entries are allowed to lead their own pony, they must allow the rider to steer and control pace, and leaders must remain next to the ponies shoulder at all times, no child should appear to be in distress. Riders that are not able to post or ride on their own yet may have an assistant, but the assistant may not must the pony or attempt to make it go faster, or they may be disqualified.

Please fill out the entry form below. ENTRIES CLOSE MONDAY, APRIL 8th at NOON, no exceptions. Overnight will be posted here by Tuesday morning and all entries will be contacted with instructions on where to parking and timing. Placing of entry will be determined by placing judges on which ponies nose crosses the line first.

2019 Manor Leadline OVERNIGHT
2019 Manor Leadline RESULTS

Send your questions to usponyracing@gmail.com, so we can post the answer here for everyone!

Do I need to wear silks?

No, you do not need to wear silks, but it is kinda fun!  You can find used silks on ebay fairly inexpensively.  If you would like to have silks made, you can contact USPR for suggestions of companies that make them.  Silks start around $100 and up as intracacey of design increases.  The front and back of your silks must match

Can I just show up and race?

Unfortunately, no. Entries for races typically close around noon the Monday prior to the race. US Pony Racing operated races must be paid in advance, no refunds if not scratched by noon the following day.  Entries must be paid for to be accepted and make it into the program.

I do not have a race pony, where can I find one?

Guess what?  About 98% of the ponies that run in races have other jobs!  USPR promotes the use of sane, controllable multi-use ponies.  Riders are encouraged to have a fun time, regardless of how fast or slow your pony can go.  It’s very rare in the United States that you find a pony that only races.

What is required for me to participate in a race?

You have to have not had your 16^th birthday as of January 1^st.  So if you are 16 on Dec 27^th, you have aged out.  There have been riders as young as 6 years old participate in the open pony races.  All riders must be approved on their pony by a USPR official.  USPR takes into consideration the maturity of the rider, the ability of the rider and the ability of the rider to follow directions.  The rider must be able to maneuver pony in a group safely and the pony must be controllable and well-behaved.  The pony must also be at least 5 years of age.  Same goes for horses in junior and young rider divisions.  All riders of all divisions (except lead line) must be approved on the mount they will ride.  This goes for over fences, as well as on the flat.  If you have been approved on the flat, you are not necessarily approved over fences.  Always check with USPR to make sure you have been approved.

Do I need jockey pants and a race saddle to participate?

No!  Most riders use the same take they would horse show or go hunting in with the addition of a yoke or neckstrap and an overgirth.  Likewise with what the rider wears, with the addition of a protective vest and make sure your helmet is approved by the NSA or meets ASTM/SEI standards.  If you just don’t think you can live life without wearing white pants, you can always use your white breeches or some riders have used baseball/softball pants.  Regardless of what you and your mount are wearing, you should practice in everything you will use on race day in advance, so you know how it fits and how it will feel. Ask a professional to help you if you are wanting to use real racing gear.  USPR does not encourage the use of racing undergirths for ponies, use your regular girth instead.

Don’t miss out on the 2nd running of the Aiken Pony Derby at the Aiken Trials scheduled for this coming Saturday, March 16th at the Aiken Training Track in Aiken, SC. The pony and junior races will take place in between the six Thoroughbred flat races scheduled for the day. All starters in the race will receive a gift bag. Riders that have not been previewed by USPR previously on their mount are required to attend a FREE clinic sponsored by the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation the evening before the races, Friday, March 15th.

Entries close TODAY, March 11th at NOON. The link to entries can be found HERE. Entries must be paid for at time of entering to be valid.

Ticket for the AIken Trials can be purchased HERE. Gates open at 10:00AM. The day includes vendors, concessions, a kid play area, 5 pony flat races and 5-6 Thoroughbred flat races.

Mid-Atlantic Pony and Junior Racing Clinic
Pony and Junior Jockeys Prepare for Spring Races

DARLINGTON, Maryland, Sunday, February 24^th, 2019:  U.S. Pony Racing will host the Mid-Atlantic Junior Racing Clinic Sunday, February 24^th at Bonita Farm in Darlington, Maryland.  Clinicians will be (racing schedules pending) top Maryland flat jockey Forest Boyce, flat and steeplechase trainer Kevin Boniface, former champion jump jockey Paddy Young, steeplechase trainer/young rider educator Regina Welsh, and several guest instructors.  Young riders 21 years old and younger of all riding levels are invited to attend but must provide their own mounts and have the ability to at least canter without assistance.  Students will review starting gate procedure, flagged-start procedure, galloping in a group, controlling their mount, safety on the race course, how to correctly saddle a pony/horse for racing, as well as preparing themselves and mount for racing.  Condition of footing pending, optional schooling over timber and hurdles will be available for interested riders with capable mounts.  Emphasis will be safety on and off the race course and all riders must wear an approved helmet and a protective vest. 

Registered riders will receive a commemorative saddle towel and auditors and mounted participants will also be treated to a lesson on the Equicizer.  All mount and rider combos must be approved before running in any USPR governed races and this clinic will serve as an approval session for that and also for the Delaware Valley Pt-to-Pt Association junior jumping races.

To register for the clinic visit http://www.usponyracing.com/uspr-mid-atlantic-junior-and-pony-racing-clinic/.  Register by February 20th to receive the lower rate for riders ($30) and auditors ($5).  All fees raise by $10 if paid after February 20^th.  Advance registration required.

For more information contact U.S. Pony Racing Director, Regina Welsh 410-340-2347 or regina@goponyracing.com