AS part of our ongoing support of Irish Injured Jockeys and their Corinthian Challenge Charity Race Series this week we caught up with Emer Lawlor to give her the opportunity of a profile piece and to assist her fundraising efforts.

Emer Lawlor from Dunboyne, Co. Meath is delighted to be taking part in the three-race charity series, commenting: “It’s a privilege to have been selected to participate in the Irish Injured Jockeys Corinthian Challenge 2022.”

A very different challenge to her day job where Emer serves as a member of An Garda Síochána, Emer has thrown herself into training and preparation over the past few months. She is the very first member of An Garda Síochána to ride in The Corinthian Challenge, commenting: “No pressure, eh?!”

Even though her professional career choice did not take her into the equine industry full time, Emer has been heavily involved with horses from a very young age. Today, she runs her own small yard where she keeps six horses which she affectionately refers to as her “wonderful ATMs” (Automatic Turd Makers).

No stranger to competing, Emer has ridden and competed in a variety of disciplines over the years, but horse racing was one discipline she never really got to explore which she admitted is “probably one of my biggest regrets”. Thankfully, the Corinthian Challenge offers Emer the chance to experience it this year.

Skills

She has been very involved in the industry in other ways though contributing her skills and knowledge gained from other disciplines to focusing her energy on retraining racehorses when they retired from racing, something she is most passionate about and proud of.

Emer has ridden Ride Judge in a number of ex-racehorse to riding horse classes in the showing world and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Speaking of how she came to sign up for the challenge, Emer said: “In April 2021, after turning the dreaded 30, I decided that riding in a race was something I would love to do. I did a bit of research and I discovered the Irish Injured Jockeys Corinthian Challenge.

“I could think of no better cause to raise money for than the Irish Injured Jockeys. The work that they do to help jockeys and their families during stressful, emotional, and sometimes uncertain times is second to none.”

Emer was keen to highlight the support she has got from Tony Martin also based in Meath. “Tony has been incredibly supportive and encouraging of my endeavours and I look forward to doing him proud on the race days. I am very much indebted to Tony and his owners for trusting and allowing me to ride for them.”

So how does she pack it all in, you ask? Emer’s work shift pattern is four days of 12 hours on and four days off, which means that she is in a position whereby she can ride out for Tony up to four times a week. She is also working with a jockey coach to help her to refine her skills and improve on her race fitness.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish my fellow challengers the best of luck in the Corinthian Challenge - I have no doubt lifelong friendships will be formed within what seems to be a lovely group of like-minded people.

“I urge anyone that is following me and my journey to donate, all donations large or small will be greatly appreciated. Hopefully, I will also get to see some of you at the finish line!” she said.

If you would like to support Emer or any of the Corinthian Challengers visit justgiving.com/campaign/corinthianchallenge2022.