I GREW up in Enfield, Co Meath, with my parents, Michael and Blaithin, two brothers, Aidan and Diarmuid, and my sister, Deirdre. We weren’t the typical “horsey” family, but I always loved spending time on the farm with my dad, checking on the animals.

He spent weekends judging cattle classes at various shows, and I travelled with him, watching him judge. Afterwards, he always took the time to bring me to see the horse showing rings.