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Shetland Pony Grand National |
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(Click on any image to enlarge it.)
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A high speed dash, a blur of coloured silks, flying manes and tails and the roar of the crowd the excitement of a day at the races condensed into Shetland pony size.
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To take part your pony has to be a registered Shetland pony with the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society and be 5 years or over. The pony also has to have been an active member of the The Shetland Pony Performance Award Scheme (Ridden) in a previous season and have returned cards prior to racing. Jockeys are to have attained their 9th birthday but not their 14th birthday by the 1st of January of the year they wish to race and no taller than 5ft 1 inch. Details on The Shetland Pony Performance Award Scheme (Ridden) can be found on this website.
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| The ponies and their young jockeys from as far afield as the Shetland Isles and North Devon travel the length and breadth of the country during the season in hot pursuit of only 10 qualifying places at the London International Horse Show at Olympia. To achieve this they have had to battle it out in 2 to 3 heats of up to 9 ponies. The first 3 or 4 go through to the final where only the winner qualifiers for the prestigious show at Olympia before Christmas. More than 60 ponies start the season all hoping to be the lucky 10 who make it to Olympia. The build up to each race is much the same as the real 'Grand National'. The ponies are paraded, jockeys mount and are led down to the start before being sent on their way over 2 ½ laps incorporating 12 “mini” Aintree fences, as the crowd cheers on their favourite steed. All the young jockeys like their adult counter parts wear racing silks, body protectors, scull caps and long boots and are not allowed to use whips. |
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HEATHFIELD SHOW
CUMBERLAND SHOW
ELLINGHAM SHOW
STANHOPE SHOW
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The Shetland Pony Grand National has always raised money for charities and since it first started in 1981 has raised nearly £400,000. At present they are raising money for The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
CHILDREN RAISING MONEY FOR CHILDREN LESS FORTUNATE THAN THEMSELVES
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Details available from
EMMA LEIVERS
The Knowe, Roadhead, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 6PG
Telephone: 0845 3247168
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