"Well yesterday went really well! I won two classes including the 1st leg of the Championship so feel on track to regain the title! Saying that so much can happy in this competition and with two more rounds before the final I have still got my work cut out. The opposition is also really strong. Some of the best riders in the world are here including my Uncles and cousins. The rider behind me on the leader board, Guy Williams, is a great rider and his horse, Torinto van de Middlestede rarely knocks a fence so I know I need to keep really focused. I feel luck may be on my side though. This show is a favourite of mine and definitely a highlight of my achievements. I love it here and feel really proud that my dad was part of the conception of such a great event. The prize money is also brilliant and I have been successful enough to receive a good chunk of it over the years!

Casino jumped great yesterday. He was fast and the course suited him. I saved two strides – one between fence 1 & 2 and one between the 2nd to last and last. He is a top horse and I think he could win any Grand Prix in the World. I won jumping Lacroix in all the rounds last year but I will rest Casino today and ride USA Today in the second round. Lacroix was a special horse and the format of this unique Championship competition suited him. He didn’t get sharp with too much jumping and hated knocking any fences but most horses, in fact all the other horses who have won the Open, have been rested on at least one day.

I have to fight with Dad to get my hands on Casino! But lucky for me he has got a great string at the moment so I have got the ride. He has got two new horses, Uniek and Tadmus, and his top ride Peppermill, who was coming to the British Open, is doing some stud work for a couple of weeks now.

Apart from the jumping I have been watching as much of the show as poss and meeting my fans and visitors to the show. I love meeting and talking to people that follow the sport and have an interest in me. I feel privileged to be able to come to shows and get recognised by people. But as much as I love the attention I am glad I can go out without being surrounded by paps – I wouldn’t want to be a celebrity in that respect!"