More than 50 children attended the pony racing “Buzz Day” in Newmarket last weekend (12 October) designed to give children an insight into the sport.
The British Racing School invited children aged 8 to 15 — with no previous involvement with pony racing — to come and have a taste of what was involved.
Perfect position: the children got to ride the racing simulators
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The day’s activities included riding the racing simulators with former Flat jockey Michael Tebbuttfall and fall training with Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Steve Smith Eccles.
The children also saw a demonstration of tacking up for the races and had a tour of the classrooms, stables and gallops of the British Racing School.
Dress to impress: a tacking up demonstration was part of the day
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
“We were very pleased with the day and we are hoping to run a follow-on session where those with ponies can bring them for a training day,” said Buzz Day organiser Carol Casey.
Stretch for success: a child gets to grips with the fitness a equipment
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The day was also a hit with the children, including eight-year-old Jack Wilmot, who said, “It was the best day of my life so far, I will never forget it”.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.
