Eighteen-year-old Minty Races to Success 4th August 2009
WHEN pony racing fan, Charlie Jones asked his mum if he could have a go she said, “Yes, but only once”.

However, mum Victoria has had to let her son’s love of the race track take over a little after Charlie and his pony Minty took the East Anglian scene by storm.

Now 18-years-old, Minty stands just 12.2hh and has been a part of the Jones’ family home at Little Witchingham near Norwich for the last two years.

Spring this year saw Charlie determined to have a crack at racing but mum Victoria was a little concerned about safety, having watched a number of ponies get a little excited on race days.

“When Charlie first asked if he could have a go at racing I was definitely worried but he did really well in his first race when they finished second and qualified for the final,” explained Victoria.

“Minty was in great form and while some ponies were very excited she stayed really calm and focused we were all so proud of them both.

“In his second race outing they finished fourth against 13.2hh ponies and then at the East Anglian Point to Point Racing Pony Final they won, which was just amazing.

“Watching them gallop through the finish was brilliant and to see them complete happy and in one piece was certainly a bonus.

“Minty is fed on TopSpec, TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes, sugar beet and alfalfa and she looks in fantastic shape.

“Making sure she is relaxed on a race day is so important and certainly helps my nerves and I am sure her diet plays a major part in that.

“Charlie is now a complete racing fanatic so I think I will have to let them keep going, everyone enjoys it so much,” she added.