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

Harness Racing 2009 Results

Race 1 - Heat 1 Grades 3-4

1^st - Boston Accent - Driver: Richard Haythornthwaite  Time: 2.40.2

2^nd - Stormy Seas - Driver: Jim McKinally

3^rd - Easy Goin - Driver: John Wright

Race 2 - Heat 2 Grades 3, 4 & 5

1^st - Mach Little - Driver: Jason Podmore  Time: 2.44

2^nd - Keep In Touch - Driver: Alan Haythornthwaite 

3^rd - Nito Lobell - Driver:  Lee Fletcher

 Race 3 - Heat 3 Grades 5 & 6

1^st - Royal Whisper - Driver: Mick Lord  Time: 2.39

2^nd - Ayr Kid - Driver: Jason Podmore

3^rd - Gonastray - Driver: Alan Haythornthwaite 

Race 4 - Heat 4 Grades 7 & 8

1^st - Magical Star - Driver: Erica Brian  Time: 2.39.6

2^nd - Strike Gold - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse

3^rd - Lyons Robinhood - Driver: Jason Podmore

Race 5 - Grade 0

1^st - On Top 24-6 - Driver: Chris Nichol  Time: 2.95

2^nd - Kathryn Howard - Driver: Gary Dowse

3^rd - Roman Art - Driver: Shane Ward

Race 6 - Grades 0 & 1

1^st - County Buddies - Driver: Gary Dowse  Time: 2.95

2^nd - Brywins Budwizer - Driver: Maurice Ward

3^rd - Gillies Makemyday - Driver: Vicky Gill

Race 7 - Grades 1 & 2

1^st - High Goodbye - Driver: Andrew Cairns  Time: 2.7.2

2^nd - Beyonce Seelster - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse

3^rd - Oakey Dokey - Driver: Lee Fletcher

Race 8 - Grade 2

1st - Chipnpin - Driver: Gary Clark  Time: 2.9.2

2^nd  - Wellfield Blaze - Driver: Kelly Rushton

3^rd  - Howards Gigolo - Driver: John Howard Jnr

Race 9 - Final

1st - Strike Gold - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse  Time: 2.41.5

2^nd  - Royal Whisper - Driver: Mick Lord

3^rd  - Ayr Kid - Driver: Jason Podmore