Racing comes together to launch Newmarket Pony Academy for vulnerable children

A new initiative known as the Newmarket Pony Academy was launched on Tuesday at the British Racing School to help vulnerable children connect with racing.

Seven-time champion jockey John Francome is ambassador for the project, which it is hoped could become a national initiative in time.

The scheme gives disadvantaged youngsters, most of whom are from families who cannot afford a pony of their own, access to such horses including some whose parents already work in racing. It is expected to click into gear in September when children return to school and the NPA has already been overrun with bookings for their week-long courses which involve students hand picked by the schools themselves.

The course involves learning to ride the ponies from scratch with a view to then coming back either after school or during holiday clubs to continue their association, which could well lead to jobs in racing.

Sponsors of the project, which currently has five ponies in residence, are Godolphin, the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, the Jockey Club, West Suffolk Council, Orbit and the Thompson Family Charitable Trust.

Anna Sylvester, manager, said: “It all began with Godolphin’s Penny Taylor going down to Ebony Horse Club in London to see what a difference community projects involving horses make and what better place to build it than Newmarket."

Students prepare to tackle the rising trot at the Newmarket Pony Academy

The academy was hosting year eight students from Newmarket Academy on Tuesday and many had massive smiles on their faces after successfully negotiating the rising trot in the indoor school.

Sylvester added: “The British Racing School has made this fantastic project happen quite quickly. The primary school programme will primarily be students that need help with their confidence, resilience and teamwork. They may also have problems at home or not be the most academic or students that need experiences like this.“

The programme is set out as a diverse learning experience including equine care, practical lessons as well as some of the curriculum from school.

Francome said: “This is a great initiative and they should have done it years ago. I’ve seen this in the past with Riding For The Disabled where people suddenly understand what confidence a horse can give them.

"These children here today, many of whom have come from underprivileged backgrounds, have finally found something that is not going to keep asking them questions or demanding anything of them.”

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