Published at 14:40, Tuesday, 29 May 2012

FAMILIES enjoyed the annual Shetland Pony and Panto Horse Racing Festival in the baking hot Ulverston sun.

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The annual extravaganza was held on Ford Park fields on Sunday afternoon. Youngsters saddled ponies for races such as the Stan Laurel Sprint, the Oliver Hardy Hurdle and the Hoad Hill Hunter Chase.

The light-hearted fun also featured the traditional panto horse races and the most lovable pony competition judged by applause in “clapometer” style.

Ralph Spours, who provided loud speaker commentary which could be heard as far away as Old Hall Road and Aldwych Terrace, said: “The going was good-to-firm and hard in places.

“We had a lot of people taking part and enjoying themselves and having good, straight-forward homely fun.

“We had no casualties. There were a couple of falls but nobody got hurt.

“One of the youngsters who did fall off was gallant enough to get back on and complete the course and it really was quite smashing.

“We had the competition for the most lovable pony and that always goes down a storm – the children just love that one.

“They all go round the stables to pat and get a closer look at them and, of course, some of them are quite tiny and lovely.

“Some of the youngsters were literally four or five-years-old and they sat on the back of these little ponies – they were absolutely fearless and had an absolutely lovely time.”

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