Steven started commentating in 2001 and has covered many events including Badminton, Blenheim and Barbury Horse Trials, Dressage Olympic Trials, the World Cup Driving qualifier at Royal Windsor, to now being the International Arena Commentator at Hickstead.  In 2006 he teamed up with Mike Tucker on the commentary team for the BBC Show – Only Fools on Horses.  Steven also presents Canter Banter for H&C. In 2009, he covered the European Championships from Windsor Castle on Radio and TV, he also covered the Final of the Global Champions Tour from Doha for Eurosport.   

What would you do if you didn’t work as a presenter and sports commentator? I have a passion for sport and would want to be running sports events if I wasn’t doing what I do now.  That or playing golf in Portugal!

Why did you decide to go into equestrian commentary? Purely by accident really, the same way I ended up in horses, I thought it would be fun and a challenge, I have had a spin at most jobs on a showground from an early age and my mother rode Internationally back in the seventies and so I grew up surrounded by the greats and just liked being involved in some way. 

What do you think of the Olympics being held Greenwich Park? Having seen the venue and I think it will be truly spectacular with the backdrop of Queens House and further back to the City Skyline, it really is a World Stage! I understand the arguments around using other venues but I hope much will be done to make sure the sport benefits as a whole in the long run. The ground for the cross country will make for a superb competition, and the horses are going to have to be fit. It is the best way to keep equestrian sport in the Olympics and I hope it is a huge success, mainly because I would like to be commentating on horse sport in Rio four years later.

Which is your favourite equestrian event and why? I have several favourites without wishing to sit on the fence but I am very lucky to go to Dubai each January for the World Cup series and that is very special. On home soil there is no atmosphere like Olympia for the indoor shows and of course the Christmas feel and outdoors I always look forward to Burghley as that is the event I have been involved in the longest and it always sets such high standards and good shopping.  Hickstead will always be special for me though.

Who has the best yard you’ve visited? For the Canter Banter Programme I have been lucky to visit a number of yards as part of the series, Geoff Luckett has the most stunning view from his house and yard and it feels like there is no one else for miles. For state of the art though it would have to be the Gredley’s Stetchworth Park Estate, every conceivable facility you could wish for and an indoor arena that is better than nearly all the show venues.

What was the last thing you bought a ticket for? When we went to see Russell Howard in Nottingham.

What was one of your funniest horse moments? Being involved in setting up Nick Brooks-Ward at HOYS as the commentary box was invaded by a Pony Club child dressed as an ostrich, which had been part of the mounted games. The ostrich got stuck in the doorway and neither of us could commentate for laughing. It all got a bit It’s a Knock-out!

Whose horse would you like to own and why? Frankel, for the stud fees!

What would you change about your life? I would like to be away less, you spend a lot of time on the road.

Who do you think is the one to watch in Show Jumping juniors and seniors this year? Seniors, definitely Guy Williams for the Brits, he now has one of the best strings he has ever had. Shane Breen for the other nations, so stylish. Juniors would have to be Abbie Squires, trained by Tim Stockdale she is coming on well. 

How do you relax? I love to cook, team it with a good bottle of wine and good company and I am happy.

Who inspires you? To be honest a number of people, personally I have some great people in my life that are so supportive and I would not be where I am without them, they know who they are!

Professionally Mike Tucker and Nick Brooks-Ward have held my hand all the way as did the Late Tom Hudson, who had a big influence on my life. I have always listened to the likes of Peter Allis and Michael Parkinson on TV to learn from their great experience, Peter I have been lucky enough to meet a few times, great fun.

What is your greatest achievement to date? Professionally, to have commentated at the Global Tour in Doha and at the Oslo World Cup where the standards are so high, the BBC Series Only Fools  took me to my biggest audience, nine nights live on BBC!

What is your top tip for H&C website visitors? In whatever you do, do your homework and prepare as much as you can, it pays off when you’re under pressure. 

Your Suggestions

Who would you like us to spend Ten Minutes in the Tack Room with? Email webeditor@horseandcountry.tv