Horse whisperer back in the saddle after 10-year absence

It sparked a passion that led to him becoming one of the most respected equine experts in the country, training at Ascot, working with horses across Britain and even being offered a job as the Duke of Edinburgh’s carriage driver – a role he turned down.

But in 2000, Robert Wilmot, of Helmsley, North Yorkshire, slipped a disc and spent more than a decade out of the saddle as he helped bring up his four children.

Now Mr Wilmot is re-launching his career, helping train problem horses across the region.

“I don’t like the term horse whisperer,” he said.

“I think it’s a load of cobblers.

“But I love problem horses.

“I enjoy the challenge and getting to know their own personality.

“Quite often the horses that are difficult tend to be the better competition horses.”

During his absence, Mr Wilmot worked as a long-distance lorry driver and in a fish and chip shop to make enough money for his family.

Now back in his role working with horses as a travelling equine producer, he said: “We were all born to do something and this is what I was born to do.”