Gemma Owen, daughter of football legend Michael Owen, is preparing to make her debut as a jockey in the upcoming Mackell Magnolia Cup, a women-only charity horse show jumping event scheduled for July 30. Despite having never ridden a horse until two months ago, Gemma is undergoing intensive training at Manor House Stables, a facility established by her father, who is also a passionate horse racing enthusiast. The event raises funds for charities supporting women and children, with over £3.5 million raised since its inception in 2011.

Gemma, a professional show jumping rider and influencer known from the 2022 reality show “Love Island,” expressed both humility and excitement about the challenge ahead. The Mackell Magnolia Cup demands rigorous preparation, including physical tests and months of training, as participants perform before thousands of spectators. Michael Owen himself has experience in charity horse racing, having debuted as a jockey in a similar event in 2017, where he finished second.