Saddling up success for

Trainee jockey Maisie Sharp is riding high in a tough field. Caroline Lindsay meets a teenager who’s being groomed for glory

Every little girl longs for her own pony but for Maisie Sharp that dream became a reality at the age of just two. It’s a passion that never faded and she has devoted every spare minute of the last 17 years to riding, grooming, mucking out and all things equestrian.

Now, at just 19, her sights are set on becoming a professional jockey and racing for the ultimate prize – Grand National glory.

“My passion for horses comes from my mum who used to show jump,” explains Maisie. “I would rush home from school to ride my horse and spend all my spare time preparing for competitions and events.”

Maisie represented Scotland many times over the years in Pony Club events before deciding her future lay in racing.

Her drive and talent have been recognised by top trainer Lucinda Russell, who runs Arlary House Stables in Milnathort, Scotland’s leading National Hunt yard. Lucinda offered Maisie a job at the stables and is training her to become a jockey.

It’s the perfect environment for the pony mad teenager. “I’ve worked for Lucinda for just over a year now,” says Maisie. “My job is to work the horses through various paces and school them over jumps and hurdles. I also attend various horse race meets, where I help prepare the horse before the race and care for it afterwards.”

Last year, Maisie attended the prestigious British Race School in Newmarket, which cemented her ambitions.

“I gained a lot of experience and even had a go at the starting gates,” she says.

“We also had personal tuition from Steve Smith Eccles, the former top National Hunt jockey, and learned how to fall. Falling off never bothers me and it’s all part of the sport – you just get back on and pick up where you left off.”

Keeping fit is vital to any jockey’s success and Maisie’s spare time and weekends are now also taken up with running, swimming, going to the gym – and riding, of course.

Her own horse, Utah Babe is currently with her parents and her younger brother will ride her in competitions this year.

However, Fifteen Kings, one of Lucinda’s racehorses at the stables, has also won Maisie’s heart.

“Kings is a dark bay gelding who I ride every day and do all the work on during my spare time,” says Maisie.

“He is such a character and I’m really looking forward to taking him pointing (a form of amateur horse racing over fences) for my first time at Balcormo in Fife on April 29.

“I love events like Balcormo – the atmosphere is brilliant and it’s a great opportunity to gain experience for National Hunt racing.

“My aim now is to compete in as many point to points as I can and get my amateur and conditional licences as soon as possible.”

The adrenaline rush Maisie gets from racing is second to none, as she admits: “It’s a combination of everything I love: horses, speed and jumping.”

I would rush home from school to ride my horse and spend all my spare time preparing for competitions and events