Riders battle it out in one of the heats at Olympia
The Shetland Pony Grand National is one of the great attractions for families who attend the Olympia Horse Show and we’re not really surprised as watching these cute little ponies galloping flat out over mini-size steeplechase fences with their little jockeys will bring a smile to most horse lovers.
To bring you a little bit of background … The Shetland Pony Grand National, which began in 1981, is an organisation that raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital - the famous children’s hospital in London. They take a team of racing Shetlands to different venues across the country all hoping to qualify for Olympia at the end of the season.
Look at that pony jump
Jockeys have to be between 9-14 years of age, under 1.5m and be able to walk, trot, canter and jump up to 2" confidently without a leader, while ponies can be no more than 10.2hh (approx.), between 5 – 22years of age and be fit and well behaved enough to race.
Riders are matched with SPGN ponies in their area and then take part in qualifiers held at various shows throughout the year. The top ten riders then get to ride at Olympia.
Denise Lewis presents the prize to the winners of the 2013 Shetland Grand National,
Greta Dare and ‘Ulverscroft Dandi’
In 2013 a record sum of £20,000 (nearly $33,000) was raised with the money helping to fund a fully equipped recovery room in a new wing at the hospital.
So a great way to have fun and do some good at the same time – enjoy the footage below from Heat 1 - Olympia 2013.
Photos: H Power Group
