EARLIER this month, I rode my first ever winner on the track, when Breezolini was successful at Hamilton. It was great to get that initial victory on my cv and hopefully it will lead to more in the coming months.

I am originally from Malton, in the UK, where I live with my mum and sister, Mollie. I never actually remember learning to ride ponies but from six months old, I was always sitting up on the front of my mum on the saddle – she continues to be my number one supporter and confidant. Both Mom and Mollie have been amazing and I would be lost without the two of them. I rode my first pony race back in 2011 but have been round horses all my life. At 13, I began riding out for Richard Ford; this gave me a great buzz and I would be there as much as I could. Richard taught me a lot about schooling, taking horses racing and riding work. I achieved my GCSEs but it’s fair to say that school just wasn’t for me. After finishing my studies, I went straight into racing with the David Barron yard in Thirsk. There I received a great education riding top-class flat horses. However, my love for the jumps became too much to ignore, so I moved on to Malcom Jeffersons back home in Malton. My racing education continued here, as I got to ride, work and school horses alongside both Brian Hughes and Jamie Hamilton.

I’ve always wanted to come to Ireland (always been in the back of my mind). It was a good friend of my mother’s that orchestrated my getting here. Through him I got the opportunity to work for Mr. Adrian Keatley, where it has been just brilliant. Adrian has given me a great start by giving me my first three rides. I am still based at his yard, where I ride work, school horses and go racing whenever I am needed. He has been very good to me and I can’t thank him enough. I got the opportunity to meet Caroline Hutchinson and she was kind enough to share a lot of wisdom and knowledge and she has helped me out greatly. Caroline suggested that I go to RACE to use the simulators to improve my style but more importantly my fitness level. Barry Walsh and Paddy Flood have been instrumental in my overall improvement and deserve plenty of credit.

Opportunities

Earlier this month, I got the opportunity to ride Breezolini in an amatur riders’ handicap at Hamilton. On her Irish form she had a solid chance and I’m very grateful to trainer Adrian Joyce for putting me up. I travelled over on the morning of the race and walked the track prior to the off. Although we were drawn very wide, it actually helped the mare in the end, as she settled well and kept calm.

On the day, everything went to plan and it was unbelievable riding my first winner on the track. It was a new experience for me, race-riding over six furlongs, as previously all my winners had been point-to-pointing. Thankfully my hard work and coaching paid off, as I was able to prove my versatility over the shorter distance. Riding a winner means everything to me; this has given me a fire in my belly to keep going, work harder and maybe one day become champion lady amateur.

I’m really enjoying being here in Ireland where I’ve met some amazing people. In the long term I see my future here. Hopefully I can build on my recent success and pick up plenty more rides, both in point-to-points and amateur races.

Emma Chaston Smith was in conversation with John O’Riordan