What is Harness racing? The answer is - one of the most exiting equestrian sports there is.

To the uninitiated – Harness racing horses are called Standard “breds” and are specifically bred for their type of racing – they race in two categories – 'Trotters' that have a diagonal gate (as a normal trot only at great speed) and 'Pacers' that have a lateral gate i.e.: both legs on one side forward together (as a camel moves) 90% of the horses in the UK are Pacers. Both Trotters and Pacers can reach speeds of 30mph., even faster on hard tracks.  The horses are driven in a small cart called a sulky, with as many as 10 horses per race.

They usually race two circuits of a track ½ a mile in length – and races are divided into lower grade, for newly qualified horses and those that have won a small amount, after which they move up to races in which they are handicapped according to the amount of monies won.

At Hartington the horses race round a grass track, the handicapped horses run in qualifying races and then the winner and placed horses run in a final at the end of the day

There is always a good crowd around the Bookmakers adding to the atmosphere, with many major bets being struck.

If you have never seen Harness racing before, then make a date to visit Hartington Sports and join the growing number of fans of this very exiting sport.

Visit www.pikehallharnessracing.co.uk for further information