'John Manners was a good man, the likes of whom you don't see anymore'

John ‘Mad’ Manners had the greatest impact on the early stages of my career. I went to meet him on a Sunday evening after I saw an advert in Horse and Hound. He said I could start as soon as possible and he’d give me a ride in two weeks' time – and he did!

At the time I really didn’t have a plan as such, no idea where I wanted to go in my career. All I knew was I wanted to ride out and ride in point-to-points, and he let me do that.

Provided you put in the work, John would give anyone a chance. In this game there are loads of people who can ride but you need to be given chances. I was so keen to get going in point-to-points and he was brilliant at giving me the opportunities I needed.