LAST month I realised a long held ambition when riding a winner at the Curragh. In taking the first leg of the Corinthian Challenge, I was successful on my very first public appearance on a racecourse.

I often describe myself as the black sheep of the family, as none of my siblings have any interest in racing, nor indeed had my parents. Initially, I started off getting riding lessons at a local equestrian centre before finally wearing my mom down and succeeding in getting a pony. From then on it was pony clubs and show jumping until the age of 14.