Pony Power
Dreams are big, even on the smallest ponies. The Shetland Pony Grand National is a whirlwind of skill, determination, and pint-sized thrills, where young riders chase their racing dreams.
By Glorious
Photography by Joe Hart
There is something undeniably charming about a field full of tiny ponies, ridden by determined young jockeys, charging towards the finish line at speeds that defy logic for such short legs. It is pure, unfiltered fun. But behind every flying pony mane and every tightly gripped rein lies months of training, discipline, and ambition. For these young riders, aged between eight and fourteen, this race is about far more than entertaining crowds. It is a serious competition, a chance to prove themselves, and a stepping stone to bigger dreams.
Photographer Joe Hart was drawn to The Shetland Pony Grand National for that very reason. “I’m always looking for stories where people’s passions shine through in unexpected ways,” he explains. In 2024, he followed the riders through The Game Fair and the Hanbury Show, capturing their journey. “It’s heartwarming, chaotic, and genuinely impressive. What struck me most was the sheer focus of the riders. They take it so seriously, and for many, this is more than just a hobby.”
“I was under the impression the event only took place at a handful of big equestrian events, but I quickly realised the kids race most weekends all summer, which is an incredible commitment. From county fairs to local shows, these are places where everyone knows everyone, families are cheering, and you’ve got that big British countryside backdrop. It’s a huge part of the story. Honestly, even just dipping my toes into that world gave me a real appreciation for how much effort goes into keeping this tradition alive. I’d have loved to do even more, but it’s a lot of miles to cover!” he laughs.
For those outside the equestrian world, it is easy to see the event as pure entertainment. The sight of young riders perched on feisty Shetlands, navigating tight courses at full speed, is thrilling to watch. But there is nothing casual about it. The races follow strict rules. Riders must be under five feet tall, and their ponies no taller than 42 inches. All ponies must be registered with the Shetland Pony Stud Book, and the riders compete for just ten coveted places at the world-famous London International Horse Show in December, just before Christmas. The races themselves are a miniature version of a steeplechase, with jumps and obstacles designed to give these young jockeys a taste of real National Hunt racing. And the excitement isn’t confined to just one location.
The event tours the UK, bringing the thrill of the competition to various shows and events, giving a wider audience a chance to witness the spectacle and providing the riders with invaluable experience competing in diverse environments. The competition is fast, technical, and unpredictable. Some ponies bolt from the starting line like veteran racers, while others decide mid-race that they have different plans. That unpredictability is part of what makes it so compelling.
Before photographing the event, Hart had only known about the race in passing, “I research niche subcultures, and this had been on my list for a while. It is very British in its mix of competitiveness and fun. Once I saw the races in person, I was hooked!”
That combination of precision and unpredictability is what keeps spectators coming back. A Shetland Pony Grand National race can be won or lost in a split second. Ponies might charge ahead, leap fences with perfect form, or hesitate just long enough to throw the race into disarray. The young jockeys know this all too well. Their summers are spent travelling from show to show, competing. Many come from equestrian families, but others are carving their own paths, proving themselves in a sport where size is the only limitation.
“The riders are so impressive,” Hart said. “They are young, but they take it incredibly seriously. Every race matters to them. And the ponies, they have their own, (often sassy!) personalities. Some are straight out the gate begging to race, whilst others take a couple of attempts before they begin to cooperate with their jockey!”
The ponies themselves are at the heart of it all. Shetlands are intelligent, strong-willed, and fast. Bred to survive in harsh conditions, they have an independent streak that makes them both ideal for racing and entirely unpredictable. Their big personalities are part of what makes the races such a spectacle. And when things don’t go to plan, the riders take it in stride – picking themselves up from impressive falls and walking off the track with their pride intact, a testament to their resilience at such a young age.
Beyond the excitement, the event has a strong track record of producing talented jockeys. Some of the UK’s most successful riders started on Shetlands, including Saffie Osborne and Jim Crowley, who was crowned Champion Flat Jockey in 2016. For many, this is an early proving ground, a place where they develop discipline, control, and the drive to win.
personalities
Another defining aspect of the event is the prominence of female riders. In a sport where professional racing remains male-dominated, the Shetland Pony Grand National provides a rare space where girls thrive. Research indicates that girls are more likely to drop out of sports than boys due to societal pressures and a lack of visible role models. For instance, a study by Women in Sport found that fewer than a third of girls (29%) aspire to reach the top levels in sport, compared to half of boys (52%). In the horseracing industry specifically, women are underrepresented across various roles, as highlighted in 2017 by the Oxford Brookes University report. However, events like the Shetland Pony Grand National not only encourage girls to participate but also position them at the forefront, challenging traditional gender norms and providing essential visibility.
Hart was particularly struck by this. “The girls in this sport are fearless. They are tough, competitive, and incredibly skilled. You watch them race, and there is no hesitation. They go for it, and they expect to win. It is brilliant to see.”
The 2024 season took riders and ponies across the UK, stopping at major events like Badminton Horse Trials, The Game Fair and the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Every race brought its own drama, from ponies launching from the start like tiny rockets to unexpected stumbles that turned the competition on its head. The season built towards its grand finale at the London International Horse Show, where months of training and travel came down to one final test of speed and nerve.
Last year, under the bright lights of Olympia, the atmosphere was electric. Ponies stood at the start, their manes as neat as they would allow, while their jockeys adjusted their silks and braced themselves for the challenge ahead. The bell rang, and they were off. Tiny hooves pummeled the track, a thunder of miniature horsepower echoing through the arena as the crowd roared its approval. Some ponies soared over fences like seasoned pros, while others hesitated just long enough to make things interesting before launching into action. It was as chaotic as ever and, as always, utterly brilliant.
What made this race special was not just the spectacle, but what it meant to the young riders. These were not children playing dress-up. They were competitors, handling pressure and expectation with a level of focus that would put most adults to shame. Their confidence was not blind fearlessness, but something earned through years of dedication. Early mornings in the stables, long training sessions, and relentless commitment had led them to this moment.
For them, the Shetland Pony Grand National is more than a fun competition. It is a proving ground, a place where careers in racing, eventing, and other equestrian sports often begin. Even for those who do not go on to race professionally, the experience stays with them. This is where they step up, where they are taken seriously, and where the roar of a crowd is behind them.
Alongside the competition, the event has a charitable side. Since its inception in 1981, it has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, primarily for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. In 2024 alone, it brought in over £42,000, reinforcing its role as more than just a sporting spectacle. For many of the young riders, knowing their efforts contribute to something bigger adds an extra layer of meaning.
In 2025, the Shetland Pony Grand National went international, with a team of ponies and riders travelling to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show. It was the first time the event had ventured beyond the UK, proving that Shetland pony racing is not just a British phenomenon. The ponies arrived in style, transported in carefully arranged travel containers to ensure they were race-ready upon landing.
Hong Kong equestrian fans, more accustomed to the sleek gallop of Thoroughbreds, were in for a surprise. Under the roof of the AsiaWorld Expo centre, the Shetland ponies proved their own brand of racing. Their short legs churned from the start, bolting as if they’d been racing in Hong Kong all their lives. It was fast, thrilling, and impossible to look away from.
The Shetland Pony Grand National has never been just a race. It is a test of skill, a proving ground for young riders, and a stage for the biggest personalities on the smallest ponies. It is competitive enough to push riders to excel, but the camaraderie among them keeps it grounded. For the girls especially, that sense of community is vital. Events like this show that when young women are given space to thrive without barriers, they take that opportunity and run with it.
Whether in a muddy field in England or on an international stage like Hong Kong, the Shetland Pony Grand National remains exactly as it should be. Fast, unpredictable, and glorious, it is more than just a spectacle; it is a crucible. It forges not just champions on horseback, but also resilience, discipline, and a lifelong love of the sport. For these young riders, the roar of the crowd at Olympia or AsiaWorld Expo isn’t just a fleeting thrill; it’s the echo of a formative experience, one that will resonate long after the ponies have retired and the silks are put away. Long live the Shetland Grand National, and long live the dreams it ignites!
Find out more about The Shetland Pony Grand National here and be sure to check out more of photographer Joe Hart’s work here.
Title image (and all images!) by Joe Hart
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