EARLIER this month, I rode my first ever winner on the track, when Breezolini was successful at Hamilton. It was great to get that initial victory on my cv and hopefully it will lead to more in the coming months.

I am originally from Malton, in the UK, where I live with my mum and sister, Mollie. I never actually remember learning to ride ponies but from six months old, I was always sitting up on the front of my mum on the saddle – she continues to be my number one supporter and confidant. Both Mom and Mollie have been amazing and I would be lost without the two of them. I rode my first pony race back in 2011 but have been round horses all my life. At 13, I began riding out for Richard Ford; this gave me a great buzz and I would be there as much as I could. Richard taught me a lot about schooling, taking horses racing and riding work. I achieved my GCSEs but it’s fair to say that school just wasn’t for me. After finishing my studies, I went straight into racing with the David Barron yard in Thirsk. There I received a great education riding top-class flat horses. However, my love for the jumps became too much to ignore, so I moved on to Malcom Jeffersons back home in Malton. My racing education continued here, as I got to ride, work and school horses alongside both Brian Hughes and Jamie Hamilton.