Charlotte Dujardin's right-hand man

Charlotte Dujardin’s best friend Ian Cast explains how he juggles his own career with being her number-one devotee

-  Stephanie Bateman

I graduated from Writtle University College as a National Diploma equine studies dressage coach. I then went on to train and compete in dressage, working with a number of international trainers and judges. I now have my own business teaching riders at all levels. As well as coaching, my other job is being the “right-hand man” to Charlotte Dujardin.

I started to coach Charlotte when she was 16. I was teaching at the yard where her mum Jane kept their ponies. Charlotte had won pretty much everything in showing and Jane asked if I could help her transition into dressage. Over time, we became mates and since then, I’ve been with her at every major event, making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible for her to perform at her best.