I ALWAYS grew up with horses. My dad, Denis Hickey, has a successful thoroughbred business at home in Garryrichard Stud in Co Wexford. I started jumping ponies and had a nice horse when I was 16 or 17.

I did my Leaving Certificate and then I went to Linda Courtney for six months, riding her young horses. The opportunity to come out here came up through Declan Orpen. He got me in touch with Alex Jayne over the phone – Alex was looking for someone to do his young horses and I took the opportunity and never looked back.