Nina Carberry: 'It's the hardest thing I've done in my whole life'

Nina Carberry has multiple Cheltenham Festival victories and an Irish Grand National triumph among her list of achievements in a spellbinding career in the saddle, but the now retired amateur jockey has labelled training for next year's RTE Television programme Dancing With The Stars as the hardest thing she has ever done.

The show kicks off on January 9 and BoyleSports have priced Carberry up at just 3-1 favourite. However, despite having a fitness and balance advantage over some of the contestants, Carberry has revealed that practising for the television series has proved an eye-opener.

She said: "I took it on thinking it would be fine but, no, it's the hardest thing I've done in my whole life. It's so hard. I was really up for the challenge, but I've realised how much I've bitten off now and it certainly won't be easy.

Nina Carberry: 'I have a bit of balance from riding horses but dancing is all about posture'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'm two weeks into training and I came into this with no background in dancing at all. It's a complete culture shock, but I'm really relishing the challenge and am excited to give it a go. It will be interesting to see how I get on anyway.

"Obviously, I have a bit of balance from riding horses, but dancing is all about posture and it's very difficult. I'm lucky that I have a bit of fitness on my side, as you need it, and you also need a bit of strength. The last couple of weeks have been an eye-opener. I have a new-found respect for dancers."

After hearing she was 3-1 favourite with BoyleSports to win Dancing With The Stars, Carberry said: "What? My main aim is to get past the first week. I have a very good partner and I'm hoping he makes me look good!"

TV presenter Grainne Seoige and Paralympics gold medal heroine Ellen Keane are among other contestants to have been revealed for the show.

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