“One day to go, and planning for the British Open has been really hectic; I think we’re nearly there, but I still have a huge list to tick off before we de-camp to the NEC at lunchtime. I’ve sent out call sheets to everyone involved in our production, which details where they have to be at what time. I just hope they read them! The organisers have been incredibly helpful; nothing has been too much trouble, so passes, accommodation and access to all areas is sorted. We just have to build our edit suite this afternoon and make some exciting programmes.

Director Nigel Mercer, presenter Karl Ude-Martinez and I spent a morning filming with Robert Smith at his yard last week. We met some of his top horses - the gorgeous Kalusha, who is just coming back into work after a winter off from injury, Vangelis S, Talan and Columbia. The last three are all jumping at the NEC this week and looked in great form. Robert seems very determined to win back his British Open crown this year, having won it in 2005 & 2006.

This is the part of my job I love and makes all the planning and paperwork worthwhile. As someone who follows show jumping, you hope that when you get to meet top riders they turn out to be all you expected. Robert is a genuinely great guy, who couldn’t have been more helpful and relaxed during our stay. I hope this comes across in the programmes, which are due to transmit over the May Bank Holiday weekend. He definitely has three extra people cheering him on over the next four days!

I’ll keep you posted on our progress during the show, hopefully I won’t have gone completely grey by Sunday!”