Sam Darlington

The showing producer on feeding for that show ring glow, smiling for the judges and why she’s so organised on competition day

- Alex Robinson

I AM absolutely obsessed with organisation. If we’re showing, the lorry is always packed the night before; it’s better to be an hour early than two hours late, in case something unexpected happens.

Many years ago, we broke down on the way to a show with a 13hh show hunter. We arrived and the pony wasn’t even plaited up. Back in the day you were permitted to go into the ring late. It was a class of 25 and the 24th pony was doing its show as we hurried him in.

Everyone had to do the go round again and our pony came up to win. It’s quite funny in hindsight, but we’ve never, ever been late again.