Ladies at the Yard are being treated to Steve’s “best” injury since last summer’s all-too-public groin strain. His right arm has gone a spectacular black colour after his double tumble from Alexander at Craven Country Ride.

The tall thoroughbred dropped him in quick succession a week last Sunday as the pair practised cross-country jumping.

A horseman, out at the same time as Steve, observed: “That man on the chestnut’s a resilient b****r. It’s already come past twice without him!”

And, as David Coates who runs the ride, said: “It’s a long way to fall.”

But Steve is undeterred. He has clocked up such an impressive total of unseatings that falling off is known at our stables as Doing a Steve.

Most of his spills have been from the much smaller Daniel and friends worry he could really hurt himself toppling off the 16.3hh ex-chaser. Even bold point-to-point jockey David urges caution.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said.

On Saturday, Steve again set out for Craven Country Ride with Alexander, under the stern supervision of Jenny and Mrs Horse, and our friend Lorraine on her Dutch warm blood youngster, Hickory.

The weather was ideal, with breezy sunshine and the odd cooling shower.

This time, all went well. No one fell off and the horses jumped with great enthusiasm. Towards the end of the trail, five-year-old Hickory got a bit past himself, wanting to fire in ever more excitedly.

When the party returned to the clubhouse, Daniel’s old friend, Auntie Wendy, was waiting. What better way to settle the headstrong Hickory than an impromptu schooling session with the respected dressage rider and teacher?

The weary horses arrived home to find Daniel laid flat out in his box. “Oh, my God, he’s dead,” Jenny said, staring over the door at the motionless chap.

“S’all right. Just tekkin’ forty winks afta mi lunch,” Daniel said, raising his head slowly from his straw-and-poo pillow.

On Sunday, a reluctant Daniel was persuaded to join Alexander for a leg stretch round Ingthorpe. The circular ride is perfect for getting the horses fit, with its combination of country roads and leafy bridleways.

An idle Daniel had to be encouraged to keep up with the long-striding thoroughbred. He nodded lazily along, up hill and down dale, falling further and further behind. Just when he thought home might be in sight, he was horrified to find himself knee-deep in young pheasants. As he trudged along, there was frantic flapping above, below and around him as the birds were disturbed.

”Wait fo’ me. It’s like an ‘orror movie back ‘ere,” he puffed, bustling to catch up.

Steve Wright and Jenny Loweth