It might not be how you see it, Rachael, but you're a role model for every young girl with ambition in any sport

To appreciate the career of any great sportsperson properly, you often have to go back to the beginning and look at the challenges they faced in the first place. That definitely applies in the case of Rachael Blackmore.

Rachael had her first point-to-point rides in the 2008-09 season. By the end of the next season, she had ridden in 25 point-to-point races and had been placed in three of them. In 2010-11, she made a breakthrough, riding two winners from 27 mounts.

After that, she experienced two blank campaigns. I can't imagine the determination and willpower that must have been involved in those years to make her persevere and keep her enthusiasm.