This Easter will see the 35th edition of the New South Wales Mini Trotting Association Championship to be held at Tamworth Paceway.
The Championship attracts over 190 ponies from Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales and the two day event is held every Easter.
On the first day of competition there will be 60 races, including three rounds of heats for each category of pony (midgets, Shetlands and ponies).
Each race will see finish line placement points allocated, with horses gaining the top ten points invited into the specific section final. All non-finalists will be placed into consolation races.
Day two of the Championship is known as a fun day, with 107 races held overall. All races are sponsored by supporters of mini trots and there are also a number of memorial races held on the day.
This year two New Zealand representatives were again invited to take part in the series, with those interested in attending having to apply to the Kidz Kartz National Council for consideration.
The Council is thrilled to announce that this year’s contenders will be Holly Johnson (age 16 of Canterbury) and Archie Hazlett (age 13 of Waikato).
In an intriguing twist these two representatives are also the daughter and son of respected thoroughbred jockey, Chris Johnson, and former leading jumps rider, Tommy Hazlett.
Both youths have competed at the highest level themselves in Kidz Kartz in New Zealand with Archie having previously won the 2017 Waikato Cup and Holly having competed in the Kidz Kartz NZ Cup.
Archie has been involved in Kidz Kartz for four years now and would like to utlise the trip to improve his skills and horsemanship.
Alongside high school, Holly works part time in John and Karen Parson’s stable in Balcairn and also assists with greyhound handling for Jinja Kennels. She was excited with the prospect of representing New Zealand.
“This experience would benefit me in the future by exposing me to different people and cultures and taking on an awesome new challenge that I could come back and share with people, hopefully inspiring them.”
Natalie Gameson of Harness Racing New Zealand’s education team feels it is an important part of our industry to be able to provide these experiences.
“Kidz Kartz has been proven to be a huge success in terms of a career pathway in harness racing. To provide an opportunity for Kidz Kartz to compete against the best in Australasia and represent New Zealand is wonderful, and we wish Holly and Archie the very best of luck.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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