I like having the two sports in my life. It is nice to have a change. They are both intense sports, but the balance I have is working for me at the moment and I find they compliment one another.

I tend to compete every weekend with racing so I'm very busy training for both. The travelling is a lot but I have been living this lifestyle so long now that I am used to it. I am so busy the only proper rest I get is when I'm sitting on the plane.

I horse ride. I find it is the best way to maintain my fitness and stay physical. I have to practise anyway for my equestrian front. I do dressage and schooling too. I also do physical training where I work on my neck and upper body strength. Racing is a high endurance sport and you are in the car for a long time so this area is crucial.

Being able to work as part of a team is essential. You learn to give as well as receive support. I have learnt to be focused and I have carried this with me elsewhere in my life. I am also a safer driver and I am a stronger person mentally as I am constantly under pressure and have to deal with things.

In the build-up to a race I begin practising two days beforehand with two other team members. We have an hour and a half practise run together. Then on the next day we have another practise in two separate hour long sessions. On the actual day of competition we do a warm-up run in the car before the race.

The sports are also hard on my body, and I do have a longstanding bad back due to an injury some years ago. I don't regret any part of it though. I love what I do and my sporting career has taken me to some wonderful places and seeing the world.

At the start of each year I sit down and look at both calendars and plan it that way. Obviously sometimes there are some overlaps but I have to be organised. At the moment motor racing is taking precedence and I have been quite lucky this year in picking and choosing.