1. How long have you been the Chief Steward at Royal Windsor and how did you get the job?

I honestly don’t know!!  I was the deputy when Colin Brooks was Chief Steward and took over from him, so it must be about 15 years.

2. How did you become involved in the horse world – are you a rider yourself?

I’m not a rider but have had a long association with horses.  My father was a judge, an FEI show jumping steward and Honorary Treasurer of the BSJA (British Show Jumping Association) so for me to become involved was a natural progression.  I became a Horse of the Year Show steward aged 17 because someone dropped out and it’s grown since then.  My father was involved with Raymond Brooks-Ward and British Equestrian Promotions, so I’ve been associated with the Brooks-Ward family, who run Royal Windsor Horse Show and the London International Horse Show, for many years.

3. When you’re not stewarding at high profile events, what is the day job?

I run the Shetland Pony Grand National and I have a horse ambulance business.  When I’m not doing those, I do a bit of relief HGV driving.  Also, I’m on the committee for the LIHS, Moreton Horse Show equine committee and a steward at several shows including the Three Counties, HOYS, London and RWHS, plus I’m President of the Senior Showing and Dressage Society.

4. What is your favourite event (it doesn’t have to be RWHS!)?

Probably LIHS.

5. The role of volunteers and officials is evolving, what are the biggest challengers you have noticed in recent years?

It’s becoming harder to encourage new blood, find new stewards and get the next generation involved so they can carry on what some of us ‘oldies’ have done for a long time.  We can’t hang on thinking we can do it forever and in time, we need to step down.  But people seem to have such busy lives and it’s harder to get them to take time out from work to steward at any show, with the commitments of young families etc. which may take them away from the horse world.

And being in the UK, the weather is always a big factor – we just have to deal with what comes at an outdoor show.  Plus, there’s the uncertain economic climate and rising costs across the board for shows and exhibitors.

6. You were ahead of the curve in raising the issue of overweight or large riders in the showring, adults warming up ponies and excessive working in. You also received a backlash for this – do you feel vindicated now that the rest of the equine world has woken up to this, or do you feel that more needs to be done?

A lot more needs to be done.  We are behind the curve and in some places, it’s still carrying on.  We simply cannot have ponies being lunged for too long or being tied in.  We’ve seen how the likes of the Grand National have had to change and develop, and we in the showing world need to keep up.  The FEI is on it with the bits, noseband and blood rules and they are adapting to the changing world and perceptions.  We have to be very vigilant with the Shetland Grand National so are aware of the naysayers.  We also need to educate the judges, and the showing societies need to have stricter rules which are enforced and make sure the welfare stewards are on site and active.  We can learn from the likes of the British Horseracing Authority and trainers are accountable too.  I beat the drum, and I get lambasted, but I’ll keep going!!

7. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and by whom?

Raymond BW was always my mentor and said make sure you know your job and that you are always polite.  He taught me so much.  One year he said I’d worked so hard at HOYS that he gave me a lunch break and stewarded the collecting ring himself while I sat and watched him!

8. What was your most memorable moment in the horse & event world?

The retirement of Big Star at Royal Windsor.  But there have been so many special moments.  For example, in my horse ambulance work when I’ve saved a horse and seen it go on and win another race or compete again.

9. What was your biggest mistake, and what did you learn from it?

Not joining the army!  I wish I’d been in the Household Cavalry.

10. What would your advice to be to someone who wishes to start stewarding?

Basically – come along and try it.  It’s very rewarding and we have a lot of fun.  The fact that some of us have done it for all these years is an indicator of how much we enjoy it.  We enjoy being with our friends and being part of something special.  It’s the camaraderie and we all keep in touch beyond being at shows and events.

11. You have raised a huge amount of money for charity with the Shetland Pony Grand National alongside the great Bob Champion, and started the careers of some of our most famous jockeys – how did it all start?

The Shetland Pony Grand National has been going for 45 years and was started by Raymond BW.  I took over and we’ve been involved with different charities like Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Then we thought we’d like to build on the Grand National and connection with Bob who has had cancer and done so much to raise awareness and fund raise.

We get donations in several ways and one of the most lucrative is the breeches sponsorship for the young jockeys which is £300 per leg and so far, it’s raised about £11,000.  Plus, we have bucket collections at events and some generous parent donations.  When the children come to LIHS they have to each raise £1,000 to participate.  We also hand out badges and stickers to the crowds which encourages people to donate.  We’ve got over 20,000 followers on Instagram.

12. What do you hope for the future of showing in the UK?

I think in showing there have got to be some changes because we need to bring new people into it.  Of course, cost is a factor – entries are expensive, and there’s fuel etc.  There need to be changes in how judges are selected and qualifiers are issued, and we could do with more amateur classes as it can be tough for them to be up against the professionals.  The societies need to think on their feet and look after their grassroots members.  Some events like Equifest and the Search for a Star classes can have huge entries which is encouraging.

13. What question should I have asked you?!

Do I enjoy the job?  The answer is yes – I love every minute of it.  I love the equestrian world, but I would like to see some changes and would like to see the showing societies supporting and promoting better education, and people need to understand the rights and the wrongs.  We should have a better understanding that a horse is an animal and have a more even way of upholding the standards and deciding where the draw the line.