05 June 2024 | Ashleigh Paikos
The kids are the future of harness racing and on Monday, June 3, Pony Trots returned to Pinjarra after many years laying stagnant.
Pinjarra Pony Trots, which was reinvented in recent weeks not only saw their first meeting get underway, but also saw the debut of two new drivers, completely new to the industry.
Daniel Worthington at just seven-years-old made his pony trot debut on the well campaigned and super sweet Im The Mighty Middy who finished second in both races on the day.
Worthington, a pony club rider also got to enjoy seeing his riding mount GP Peter Pan race on the day, for fellow debutante Ruby Gilberd who took the steer on the 13-year-old palomino show horse.
Gilberd, 12 years old, is no beginner to horses and has shown she has quite the talent in the equestrian world, and last year she not only made it into the very first TIC National Pony Race Series here in WA, but she was also the winner of the small pony category on her very successful show pony, Rosie.
Well done to Ruby who not only made her debut, but drove a debutante pony as well, and will no doubt have plenty of success in the Pony Trots going forward.
Both races were sponsored by Stickit Solutions, and race one saw young Layden Evans get the victory on board ‘Little Bo Peep’ who was making her racing debut at Pinjarra on Monday.
Only broken into the cart two-and-a-half-weeks earlier, the flashy little grey put her fast little feet to work, winning well for Layden, giving the 13-year-old his second race victory.
Layden made his debut to Pony Trots in October 2023 at Collie, and just like Ruby Gilberd, Layden also competed in the Small Pony Category of the Pony Races at Ascot in December last year, where he finished fourth on Limehill Exquisite.
Known as Squizzy around the stables, also gave Layden his first taste of driving, with the pair racing numerous times together for the South West Pony Trots last year and the early part of this year at Collie, Busselton, Bunbury and Gloucester Park.
Fourth generation in the industry, Lucas Suvaljko took out the second event for the Pony Trotters, with Limehill Amabel coming from the back to pass the small front-line ponies to win with ease on the day.
Limehill Amabel has been in the Suvaljko family for quite some time now, with the pony originally belonging to his older sister Emily, who had plenty of success on the grey.
Limehill Amabel and Lucas Suvaljko returning to the judge after their win. Photo Credit- Photography by Jodie Hallows
Pinjarra Pony Trots will race all year now, with dates set for Public Holidays and School Holidays, with their next meeting scheduled for Monday, July 1.
If you have a pony and child wanting to get involved in Pony Trots, head to the Pinjarra Pony Trots facebook page. The Club will be holding regular trial sessions and can give you all the information you need.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
