"On a visit to Paul Nicholl's yard in Somerset I watched the horses work on the gallops and then they were led into an orchard to relax and cool down. I loved the shapes of the trees with the horses and their lads scattered between and the early Spring sunshine filtering through the branches and the new leaves on the apple trees. It was actually quite difficult to arrange all the elements that I wanted in this picture, the figures, the trees, the long grass and the interesting shadows and sunshine filtering through the trees. I also loved, as always, the relaxed way the lads held their horses and chatted with each other... the informality of the scene being very important to its atmosphere."