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Important Information on running a successful Donkey Derby

Sponsorship to recoup initial cost:
To offset the initial cost of the Donkeys you should work hard on getting sponsorship from local firms etc. A rule of thumb for this is get a local Firm or Company to sponsor each race for say £20 - £25. For this they get advertising in the programme and can name the race i.e. (Local Garage; BP Handicap stakes).

Then get a parent, friend, relation or local trader to sponsor each Donkey in each race for say £5 - £10. They can name the Donkey, say (Local Butcher; Mutton Chop). It is most unusual for organisers not to have covered all expenses before the gates open.

Our prices cover all necessary equipment, transport and insurance.


Booking your Donkey Derby:
All booking must be in writing, together with a completed Booking Form and a non-refundable deposit of £75. The booking must be confirmed by us in writing before considered firm.

We find Weekends and Bank Holidays our most popular days, so try to book early, preferably five or six months prior to your event should guarantee your booking.

A map and directions on how to get to the venue is very helpful to our drivers.


Insurance:
We are licensed by the Guilford Borough Council under the Riding Establishment Acts of 1964 and 1970, whereby it is compulsory for us to hold a Public Liability Insurance Policy in the sum of £2 million. It is essential for you to take out a policy as well to cover unforeseen incidents on the afternoon, see our Conditions of Hire.


Advertising:
You must work hard on advertising the event, say 14 days in advance. Try to sell as many programmes in advance as possible and display as many posters around the areas. make sure everybody knows about the event.


Programmes:
Plenty of details giving names of subscribers, interested personalities. Contents of programme MUST include a small paragraph explaining that children must obtain written permission from either a parent or guardian and ride at own risk.

Organisers must get a slip signed by parent or guardian stating this fact. Therefore we cannot be held responsible for any accidents during the afternoon as children do ride at their own risk.


AA Signs:
Can be supplied upon application to the Automobile Association as available.


Commentators:
Humorous type able to operate a Tannoy system and keep the interest of the Public.


Personnel:
Starter; Finishing Judges; Clerk of the course; Paddock steward. Official badges can be supplied on request.


Paddock:
Preferably in the shade 20' x 20' recommended size. MUST be at the finishing end of the course, NEVER at the start. Must be strong - suggest either chestnut fencing, livestock hurdles, or 3 strands of rope 1' apart with stakes. Crowd barriers, which may be obtained by consent off your local Police or Council are probably the best.


Races:
All our prices are for a maximum of 7 races of 7 Donkeys. We reserve the right to increase the fee should the number of races required be in excess of this, but we are limited to the number of Donkeys we can carry in our Lorries. Suggest starting not before 2 - 2.30 pm and finishing around 5.00pm with 20-25 minutes intervals between races. Short sharp meetings hold the public interest. Crowds tend to drift after 4.30pm.


Courses:
A horseshoe shaped or straight course of approximately 100 - 150 yards long and 25ft wide. The course should be enclosed by either a fence or two strands of rope. The paddocks should NOT be incorporated in the course but set beyond the finish. It is essential to have a good width of course to avoid collision and allow the Donkeys to space themselves out.


Totes:
It may be advantageous to run your own totalisator or lottery. There are, however, simple regulations about this i.e. closing of tote before the Donkeys and Jockeys leave the paddock to go to the start.

(It is essential that the Jockey is not associated with the Donkey before the tote is closed.)


Jockeys:
Local children with riding experience is essential for entertaining races, (suggest Riding Schools and Pony Clubs should be approached). ages 10 - 15 years but must be UNDER 8 stone.

Riding hats are COMPULSORY. We must stress that each child wears a BS approved Riding Hat fitted with chin straps, it is strongly recommended that riders also wear similarly approved Back Protectors.

We are unable to provide Riding Hats, please ensure that all Riders bring their own. We suggest the Organiser/Hirer holds a selection of various sized approved hats in the event of any Riders forgetting their own.

Jockeys must obtain written permission from Parent or Guardian, see our Conditions of Hire.


Jockey Colours:
Provided by us. Colours are numbered

  • Red
  • White
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Yellow
  • Purple

These do not necessarily correspond with the colours of the Tote tickets.


Saddles:
These are not often used in Donkey Racing as there is always the possibility of Jockeys catching their feet in the stirrups and being dragged should they fall.


Prizes:
Donkey Derby Rosettes and shields can be supplied by us at a reasonable cost for all Jockeys and Owners. We suggest Rosettes for Jockeys 1st, 2nd and 3rd for each races and Champion for overall winner, with Shields for the winning Owners. Small Cups supplied on request.


Donkey Rides:
Donkey rides are an extremely profitable added attraction for young children. Donkeys can be available for rides after the first race. We suggest the person organising the rides asks our driver for them and that the organisers must take full responsibility for this attraction as we cannot be held responsible should a small child be injured. The Donkeys should be led by a parent or a responsible person and small children MUST be supported during the ride by parent or guardian. All revenue made by you on this attraction goes to your fund.


Official Race Rules:
In the interest of safety and to ensure that the Donkeys enjoy the afternoon as much as everyone present, the following rules must apply:

  • All Riders should have riding experience, must be under 8 stone and should observe accepted riding practice at all times
  • All Riders must wear hard hats. No Riders shall be permitted to carry Whip or spurs, nor to employ any other artificial means of inducement whatsoever for the purpose of increasing the speed of the Donkey
  • A Jockey falling during a race shall be permitted to remount without disqualification, provided the Donkey shall re-enter the race at the point at which the fall occurred.
  • The decision of the judges will be final and anything not provided for by these rules shall be dealt with by the organisers whose decision shall be final.


Payment Terms:
We should be obliged if you would pay the driver, by cheque or cash, who will have the invoice with him. In the event of you canceling on the day and our lorry driver is on his way to you, full payment is due to us.


Please make all cheques made payable to:

Hunt's Racing Donkeys Ltd

Thank you.