Cheryl bids for a stable career

Edwards shone in the saddle in that division of the sport, being a member of the British Junior Showjumping team which finished third of 12 countries in the Belgium National Championships, Edwards gaining fourth place in the individual ranking.

At the end of his or her time at the racing school, entrants are asked which stables they would like to join, unless they have been sent there by a trainer. Edwards wanted a jumping yard, but not too big. With around 70 horses Knight's is not one of the smaller kind and is also big on equine talent. Up with the lark at West Lockinge Farm, quintessentially rural with a duck pond at its centre, Edwards has already been riding out "first lot" - lots being groups of racehorses given their exercise during the morning.

There are three lots during this period and she is preparing Umbrella Man for his outing, one of the four horses she looks after, along with Southern Spirit, Allimac and an as yet unnamed four-year-old.

Edwards said: "It's harder for us, as I think we are just classed as stable-girls. I ultimately want to get rides, but it is going to be tough." At Edwards's grade and age the minimum wage agreed between the Stablelads' Association and the National Trainers' Federation for a 40-hour week is £128 and 22 days holiday a year, with extra payments for taking their horse to the races plus overtime. Under the National Vocational Qualification, completed after nine months to a year in employment, the weekly minimum can rise to £169 and ultimately £192.78.

But some stables pay above the minimum. Up on the gallops with Knight, universally referred to as "Hen", we wait, shrouded in fog for second lot, which includes Umbrella Man, due to make his racing debut four days later at Kempton. You can hardly see your hand in front of your face and the white curtain even muffles the sound of oncoming hooves so that several half-tons of horseflesh flash past in a momentary glimpse of frantic activity.

Knight has had about eight former racing-school workers over the years, and describes them, with a pursing of the lips as "variable".

Married six years ago to former champion jump jockey Terry Biddlecombe, one of those graduates is Terry's son, Robert, a useful point-to-point rider and now with his feet on the bottom rung of the National Hunt ladder. Perhaps the best so far has been Ben Hitchcott, at present leading amateur jockey with 15 victories under Rules this season.

Hen sums up Edwards, who appears a valuable acquisition. "She's on the ball, knows what she wants and is a good rider, quite cool and unflappable.

"The trouble is, what is the racing school for? I think too much emphasis is put on telling them that they might make jockeys, because that is one of the biggest attractions to join.

"But as we well know, only a very few make it. The staff who look after horses throughout their lives are no less important and, indeed, are the real strength of a stable. Cheryl wants to ride, I know. But you know my views on women riding in public."

To refresh the memory, it goes: "I don't like women jockeys. I hope I never have to put a lady rider up. I don't believe the female body is made to take falls at racing pace over obstacles. And I don't think women should ever ride in the Grand National!"

It looks like Edwards may still have a bit of a fight on her hands.