Gippsland harness racing teenager Jasmyn Fusinato will compete in two Pony Trot races at the Warragul Pacing Cup meeting on Easter Sunday, March 27.
Jasmyn, 13, recently began driving in pony events with her horse Shorty.
She has competed in events at Ballarat and Cranbourne and will line up on her home track for both races on Easter Sunday, which are conducted between the main harness events run during the day.
Pony trotting has a great following in Victoria and interstate, and traditionally many adult horsemen and women got their start in pony events as children.
Competitors can participate in pony events until they turn 16, when they become eligible to apply for a race driver licence.
Fifteen years ago there were up to a dozen youngsters from West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley competing in pony trot events, however since those children became too old, or their families drifted away from trotting, the region has not had a driver in pony races.
Jasmyn has been practicing with Shorty for some time, at her parents home in Warragul and at the Warragul Pacing Bowl.
Her family has a strong connection to trotting – Jasmyn's father Greg and grandparents John and Kath breed and race horses, and the trotting bug has obviously rubbed off.
The skills Jasmyn picks up in pony racing may allow her to one day drive in professional races, following in the footsteps of former local horsewoman Jodi Quinlan.
Competitors from across the state will attend the Warragul Cup meeting for the pony events, according to Pony Trots Victoria.
The children and their horses will also dress up for an Easter Bonnet parade during the afternoon, and will compete for trophies provided by the Warragul and District Light Harness Club.
Easter Sunday's race meeting features the Warragul Pacing Bowl Cup for the big horses, being run this year for a record stake of over $30,000, and the Eddie Evison Memorial Warragul Trotters Cup.
Kyle Galley