January 2 2010

The horses might be small and their drivers pint-sized, but the competition is keen among young harness drivers who may well be tomorrow’s stars.

Kidz Kartz started in Auckland and after two years, is now a well established part of many race days around New Zealand, and it sees children take part in the racing action, but in scaled down carts pulled by ponies.

 Boxing Day racegoers in Ashburton were treated to some fine racing from the youngsters on Boxing Day with the youngsters competing over for races.

 If the faces behind the reins were not familiar, many of the surnames were – Adlam, Laing, Keast, Jones, Dalgety, the list goes on.

 The race day events are part of a training programme, aimed at developing all round horse skills in youngsters.

 The Canterbury branch of Kidz Karts started in the 2006/07 racing season, and there are now 20 races a year and the Ashburton group started with trainer and farrier Doug Breed and Chris Morrison running classes, sharing their knowledge, gear and ponies.

 The group teaches the child drivers – they can start practising the sport at age six but must be 10 to race – about horses, their care, and about the racing industry.

 The Kidz Kartz and Pony Trust in New Zealand was the brainchild of Deneece Goldsworthy of Kumeu, Auckland, inspired by similar pony racing events overseas. It now has its own Canterbury based organisation.

 The ponies are the four-legged tutors, carefully selected for their calm temperament and soundness.

 Up to 12 children, aged from 10 – 16, can attend each training course. The courses run over three days during school holidays and selected weekends and weeknights.

Pictured: Under the watchful eye of trainer-driver Angela Laing, son Brendan Laing Johnson drives Axle past the post at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s Boxing Day meeting in a Kidz Kartz event. - Photo Kirsty Graham 261209-KG-061