I first got into horses when I was a young lad, around seven or eight years old. P.J. Tonery worked in the County Council and he had a horse called Jack, which he allowed me to ride. I used to wait all day for him to come home from work, so I could jump back up again. P.J. was my first real influence I suppose and, from there, I never looked back.

I broke and competed horses for years, starting many of them off show jumping in the winter leagues, then competing around the country. I’d have to say Dublin was my favourite show and the aim with many owners was to qualify a young horse for Dublin. And to hopefully sell that horse there too!