I HATED SCHOOL AND BEFORE I EVER GOT INTO ART, I JUST WANTED TO WORK WITH HORSES
sculpting, the 46-year-old has no fewer than 150 race wins to her credit from her days in ponies.
She was crowned champion jockey in Dingle on several occasions and was the first female from Donegal to win the Dingle Derby in 1991.
“I stopped racing in 1995 and only returned to the track for a charity race in Fairyhouse in 2015. I finished third that day on Monte Wildhorn for Willie McCreery,” she said.
“I always had the longing to go back racing again though and it was only after chatting to someone during the Dublin Horse Show last year that I decided to apply for the Corinthian Challenge.”
Needless to say, horses have been in her blood forever.
“From the age of about four I wanted to be a jockey. It was also then I decided I wanted to be an artist.
“My parents were dairy farmers and never encouraged me to ride. The more they tried to stop me, the more I defied them. They could not lead or drive me back then,” she said of her stubborn streak as a young teenager.
By her own admission, she was never academic and left school in fourth year.
“I hated school and before I ever got into art, I just wanted to work with horses,” she recalled. “I remember being offered a job and went to meet contacts all over the world and can always count on someone to offer a helping hand when needed.
In order to take part in the Corinthian Challenge, you need access to decent mounts and she is delighted to have befriended Kildare trainer John Feane, who will supply horses for all three races.
“John has been great – I rode out there a few mornings while exhibiting at Punchestown in April. I will also get back there in a few weeks to ride out before the first race on July 22.”
Fundraising is another challenge in itself but Marina is confident she will reach her €10,000 target in good time.
She recently received a financial boost after creating a wonderful work of art at Oakfield Park in Raphoe.
“It’s all for such a fantastic cause and a wonderful challenge,” she concluded.