SIDELINESDIGITAL | May 2026
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Deidre McGinty has been involved in the equestrian world
for over 20 years, from the time her daughter requested a
pony ride for her 9th birthday. Now, her daughter teaches
riding lessons and shows—and Deidre is using both her
equestrian knowledge and skills learned through a retail
career as a licensed real estate agent specializing in
equine properties.
Based in Goshen, New York, Deidre helps her clients
find the right homes and barns all across the greater
Hudson Valley. She began riding several years ago, and
currently trains in dressage on a horse named Tal. “He is
the most challenging horse I have ridden and has made
me a stronger, more confident rider,” Deidre said. “I learn
something with every ride that I carry over to my future
rides. He is truly helping me become the rider I dream
about becoming.”
What were your early years with horses like?
The first years my daughter was riding and
showing I was strictly a spectator and the
supplier of treats, both for horses and humans. I
started riding in my early 50’s, when I received a
gift for lessons for Christmas. There has been no
turning back since then.
What do you like about dressage?
I enjoy the symmetry, balance and artistry of
this discipline. Each movement of the horse
that is learned helps build the skill for the next
movement.
What’s your greatest accomplishment in riding?
Continuing to ride with every setback: Literally
getting back on the horse is something I am very
proud of. I am not a confident rider, so it takes a
lot of focus for me to get on my horse every ride.
For me, it sometimes feels like I’m starting over
after any setback, but I do, thankfully, get back
to where I left off quicker each time, with much
credit to the patience of my trainer, Olivia Turcott.
What do you like to do when
not riding or working?
When you are a parent of young children, you
never think of what life will be like when your
children are adults. My children and their spouses
have become my favorite people to hang out with,
spend time with and travel with. I truly enjoy all
of them; they are some of my favorite humans.
And my grandchildren are pretty great, too!
How did you get to where
you are in your career?
I tend to look at my career path as climbing a
rock wall not a ladder. Sometimes it’s necessary
to take a lateral step to continue moving
forward, to be ready for the next opportunity.
I worked in corporate retail for many years in
many different roles. Each one provided me with
a skill that I now bring into my work as a real
estate agent. I truly believe I have landed in the
perfect place for me at this point in my life.
How do you balance everything
going on in your life?
It’s so easy to become too focused on
inconsequential things in life. I try not to sweat
the little stuff and accept that everything doesn’t
have to be perfect. Take life as it is, be present.
Be happy.
What impact would you most
like to make on the world?
Be kind. I know it sounds simple, and the phrase
may be overused these days, but you don’t know
what is happening in anyone else’s world, what
they’re dealing with in their daily lives. Give them
grace, assume positive intent, just be kind.
What are your goals for riding?
My overall goal is to simply to continue, to
improve with every ride and to find the courage
to be the rider I want to be.
DEIDRE
MCGINTY
Equestrian Property
Specialist