Past Pupils

Name: Bridget Andrews
Age: 14
Pony: Clonross Star - 13.2 hh
Races won: Has won 4/5 races this season but has won many races
Highlights: Riding in the East Anglian Point to Point Final at Fakenham on Arctic Annie and winning at Newmarket on Clonross Star.
Heros: Choc Thornton

How did you get involved in Pony Racing?

Bridget's family are all involved in racing. Her father was an Amateur jockey and rode in the Foxhunters at Aintree and is now a Point to Point Trainer. Bridget started riding when she was 3 years old and has always been around horses. Bridget and her older sister Georgina went to France and rode in 4 Pony Races each and then got the bug and continued racing in England.
Bridget has attended Training Days at the BRS and worked her way up to Level 5. "Courses help you improve your style and position and helps you understand what racing is all about".

What is the best thing about Pony Racing?

"The speed is great and it's fun". Bridget has made a lot of friends through Pony Racing.

What is your main ambition?

To be a professional jockey. Bridget also likes Show Jumping and Eventing and would love to ride at Horse of the Year Show.

Name: Mark Marris
Age: 14
Pony Raced: Gemini - 14.2 hh
Races: Rode in 4 Pony Races
Highlight: "Riding on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket was the best day of my life"

How did you get involved in Pony Racing?

"When I was working at Coach House Stables in Chippenham near Newmarket, I heard about the Owners Racing Pony called Gemini and got interested and started following it. Linda took me to a few races to watch Gemini race, being ridden by Jack Quinlan and I decided I would love to have ago myself. I was lucky enough to meet a representative from Charles Owen who sponsor the Racecourse Series and they offered to sponsor me on Linda's pony. I started to ride Gemini out at Jack's yard and hunt him with the Newmarket and Thurlow Hunt. Then I had my first race at High Easter on 24th March."

What is the best thing about Pony Racing?

"Dressing up in silks, being involved in the buzz of racing. Racegoers are always friendly and supportive and wish you good luck. It's great to ride on the racecourse where legends have won. I have made friends through Pony Racing and it's good to chat to people about the sport and what's happening."

Mark's family have no involvement in racing and got involved at an older age than some of the other Pony Racing Jockeys. But he is hoping to get his own pony so that he can continue to Pony Race and have the chance to race more often. He has now started on our Flexible Learning Programme [Link to FLP page] through his school and is getting on really well.

What is your main ambition?

To be a Trainer or get involved with the breeding side of the industry.

Name: Nikki McCaffrey
Age: 18

How did you get involved in Pony Racing?
My dad has a couple of point to pointers and I got interested in pony racing through attending the Point to Points with him.

What is the best thing about Pony Racing?
Pony racing helps you learn what racing is all about from preparation and being at the races to riding the in a race. At the same time it's fun and it certainly fuelled my ambition to want to work in racing

What are you doing now?
When I turned 16 I went to The British Racing School on the 9 week foundation Course. At the end of the 9 weeks I was placed in Mark Tompkins racing yard where I am very happy. I have just completed the rest of my NVQ qualification so have gained my Foundation Apprenticeship. I now hope to move on to my Advanced Apprenticeship, completing my NVQ 3 in the next few years.

Name: Georgina Wales
Age: 14
Pony: Smoking Gun 148 cm (has also raced Minty and Connie)
Races won: Has won 6 races
Highlights: Winning at Newmarket

How did you get involved in Pony Racing?

My father was helping with the East Anglian Point to Point Pony Races and I thought it looked fun and couldn't wait to give it a go as I had always wanted to race ride. I attended a few Training Days at the BRS and it helped me improve my position and control of my pony and really boosted my confidence in Pony Races, plus it's good fun!

What is the best thing about Pony Racing?
It get's you closer and helps you understand your pony more through training it. When I got Smoking Gun, he was in poor condition and I had to build him up to full strength and train him for Pony Racing from scratch. I have also made friends through the Point to Point Pony Racing.

What are your main ambitions?
To race in Point to Points and then go on to be a professional jockey.

Georgina has concentrated mostly on Pony Racing in the last couple of years but does enjoy Horse Whispering and Show Jumping with one of her other ponies.