How many times have you walked into a yard, watched the racing, or gone for a lesson and you are surrounded by ladies? Tough, strong, reliant and hard-working ladies are the backbone of many yards – however, the majority of jockeys and presenters are of the male variety! RTÉ is working hard to change this and it’s great to see. This current racing generation are lucky enough to have incredible female role models such as Maxine O Sullivan and Rachael Blackmore to show them how to win graciously and in style.

When you drive into the yard I work in, ‘Clare Ricketts Equine’, you are greeted by very friendly dogs and three (usually!) smiling ladies! There is no ‘young fella’ going to take a spin on your horse, muck out stables or handle the hardy ones – and I wouldn’t change it for the world! With 12 stables the atmosphere in the yard is one of quiet confidence and calm. We get to know each horse inside out and are lucky to be able to give them the time and patience they need to thrive. With a mix of pre-trainers, show jumpers and some, very adorable, ponies there is a little bit of everything – but you know what they say – variety is the spice of life!!

The horses, who come in all shapes and sizes, are all cared for under the watchful eye of Clare Ricketts. Clare, originally from England, comes from amazing horsey stock. Her father, Derek Ricketts, is a well-known and now retired showjumper and her mother, Jill Francome is a sister to the famous retired jockey John Francome. Talk about being bred to excel in any equestrian field! Clare has spent many successful years producing and jumping her own horses while keeping many thoroughbreds between the railings. She has now settled in a beautiful, purpose-built yard on the Carlow – Wicklow border.

The intention was never to be a female based yard – we are just lucky with how it turned out. Very occasionally we might get the odd look or comment but I couldn’t be prouder of how it all works. All the horses are treated with care and respect – no matter if it is a young horse in from the field for handling or an old school handicapper who has seen it all.

Champions keep playing until they get it right – Billie Jean King