Name: Elizabeth McCracken

Age: 10

Parents: Katie and Geoff McCracken

From: Portadown, Co Armagh

What categories do you compete in?

128cm, Under10s and 90cm

Tell us about your top ponies: Sweet Lily and Whiskey Jack II

Trainer: Gabriel Tunney

Who has been your greatest influence so far?

Sarah McMahon for her help and Carol Armstrong for her help with my flatwork. They have both been with me from the very beginning and both have help provide me with a good grounding, which will no doubt stand to me as I move up the grades.

Who is the rider you most look up to and why?

It’s a toss up between Zara Jane Kelly and my big sister, Charlotte, but I don’t tell her that!

Tell us about your major achievements and/or wins to date: I feel that I have got off to a good start. In 2019 at Balmoral, I was the under 10 Champion. That year, I also claimed the TRI Ulster U10 and 90cm Autumn Tour championship. I topped it off when I claimed the Scottish Home Pony U10 teams Champion 2019.

This year, I was the Coolmore Pony Premier Under 10 pony and rider champion, as well as the TRI Ulster Under 10 and 90cm Spring Tour Champion 2020.

What are the key things you learned from your 2020 season? Look up and plan. It’s more about making the turns than the speed, and trust my Dad.

What do you most miss from the season this year?

I was hoping to follow in Alanna Fagan’s footsteps and retain the Balmoral Championship, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible this year.

Elizabeth McCracken was in conversation with Emer Bermingham.