WITHOUT a doubt, it’s only with the help of countless volunteers that equestrian sports can take place in Ireland. Stewards, judges and committee members all selflessly give their time for free, dedicating weekends and holidays to play their part in helping fixtures run without getting any glory. One such person is Cork native Mary McGraw.

Growing up on the family dairy farm, Mary’s love of horses began early. “I got my first pony when I was three, my first time in the RDS was at the age of five in the pony lead rein class with my dad, famous Cork hurler of the ‘60s Denis O’Riordan. From an early age, I enjoyed the many disciplines of equestrianism, from being a pony club member with the Carbery pony club, to hunting with the Killeadys, and of course show jumping.