Some rather tall and just as small racehorses will take to the track on Devon Day at Exeter Racecourse.
Versatility
Around six ponies will compete in the world’s first Dartmoor race – giving them the chance to prove their versatility and speed.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to show everyone how fabulous these ponies are and we can’t thank the racecourse enough,” said Charlotte Faulkner of the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Ponies. “It will be a lot of fun and we are all so excited about it. It’s a world’s first and we hope it will the first of many.”
This inaugural pony race will be followed by galloping Clydesdales, who are racing at Exeter for the second year.The gentle giants, whose day job is to provide riding holidays over Dartmoor, will thunder down two furlongs.
Wonderful animals
Nick Scholfield, who rode in the race last year, said he “can’t wait” to ride them again.
“You can’t help smiling all the way to the home straight when you’re on them,” he said. “They are such wonderful animals and their very presence seems to make everyone so happy.”
Tickets can be bought online, with prices starting at £10. Discounts are offered to students and Devon residents, while children aged 17 and under go free.