From there, I went on to watching showjumping on the television. It used to be on at prime time. That got me keener than ever, but I never dreamt I would one day be able to do it as a living, let alone be successful at it.

The showjumper who really stood out was Harvey Smith. Like me, he’s a Yorkshireman, and we come from a similar background, having both started out with nothing. He showed me that showjumping wasn’t just for rich people. It used to have that label, but Harvey changed all that. He gave people like me the feeling that they had a chance. He was my inspiration.

Everybody said he was a rebel, but I wasn’t really interested in that side of it so much. Some of the things he did, though, like the V-sign, did showjumping a world of good.

What appealed to me was that he could ride horses well. And he was successful.

I can remember the first time I beat him. The Harrogate Equestrian Centre had winter horse shows that I used to go to. I was starting off, and Harvey used to go there to give his young horses experience. I’m not even sure if I won and he was second, or if I came second and he was third. Anyway, I beat him, I know that.

That was the moment I knew I might be good at this game. Harvey Smith was a legend, and beating him was the best thing to happen to me. It gave me confidence to grow as a rider.

Harvey was a very good rider and an excellent horseman. His style was great and he was a really keen competitor. Second wasn’t good enough for him. Even now, he’s getting winners as a racehorse trainer. Harvey could ride any horse. He would never surrender and would always get the best out of it.

Once I got on the scene, we travelled to a lot of shows together, but Harvey always kept his cards close to his chest. I wouldn’t say he didn’t help you, because he did, and he gave advice, too, but he always kept certain things to himself. I didn’t mind. You don’t want to give everybody your secrets, do you? Anyway, I learnt everything just by watching him.

The most important thing I learnt from him was riding against the clock. You know how people tend to go full speed and lose control when there’s a clock involved? Harvey used to do the opposite. He would finish two seconds faster than anybody, but it looked as if he’d gone slower. His secret was that he used to do sharp turns and take the shortest route.

I don’t know what the word is to describe him, but let’s just say he’s a lot better when you know him, and leave it at that, shall we?