Pony racer, 12, a 'little celeb’ in Hong Kong

A 12-year-old girl has had to get used to being treated as a celebrity after she won an international event in the field of pony racing.

The sport is like horse racing but for youngsters, with those taking part needing to be aged between eight and 14 and, under competition rules, less than 5ft (1.52m) tall.

Harriet, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, has been riding horses since she was three and, for the past two years, has carved out a place in the world of pony racing.

She won a race in Hong Kong and her mother, Caroline, said her daughter and other riders "were treated like little celebs".

"Lots of people had their photos taken. They really, really enjoyed themselves," she added.

The race was in the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show and Harriet won on her pony, Slades Dewberry, after being selected to take part in January.

"Winning was unreal as there were only five races in Hong Kong and everyone wanted to win, Drew was amazing," the youngster said.

"Being treated like a celebrity was great fun with lots of people asking for my photo and autograph."

She competed with the Shetland Pony Grand National (SPGN) organisation which picked her to take part, along with eight other young riders, out of 80 possibles.

Her pony, a 12-year-old chestnut Shetland pony, was described by Harriet as talented but "tricky" and was flown out to Hong Kong for the race in a cargo flight.

He raced a couple years ago with a different rider who struggled to get control of him, her mother admitted.

"He was a bit tricky but Harriet and him have a great bond and he loves racing with her. He's very fast and very cheeky," she laughed.

In addition to giving young riders a chance to compete, the SPGN raises money for charitable causes, such as this year's, the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.

Harriet is about 4ft 9in (1.5m) at the moment and her mother said her daughter would probably race this upcoming season but then might be too tall.

She hopes, after Shetland pony racing, to go on to race bigger ponies in the future.

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