Natasha: The story so far…

Natasha was born in the North of Scotland and lived in Moray for 16 years before moving to England to pursue her passion of dressage at an elite level. Natasha was born with Spina Bifida, which reduces the movement in her neck and back, and VACTERL Syndrome, a congenital syndrome, which has resulted in many limbs not being formed properly and is a deteriorating condition.

At the age of 7, Natasha started riding at the local riding school and never looked back. Tash’s dream came true of getting her first pony, for her 9th birthday, called Nevada. From then, Natasha enjoying being part of the Moray and Nairn Pony Club, Moray Riding Club and the British Young Riders Dressage Squad, taking part in rallies, camp, dressage, cross country and mounted games. Very special highlights, include, winning both the Team and Individual title at the Scottish Schools Equestrian Championships on Miss Ellie, and placing 4th Individually at the Pony Club National Championships on Chad.

In 2009, Natasha was lucky enough to be chosen to go on a school exchange to New Zealand. It was during this time that Natasha really got the dressage bug as she was lucky enough to get the opportunity to train with Cheryl French, riding 3 of their beautiful horses.

After returning from New Zealand, Natasha decided to look into Para Dressage, being pointed in the direction of Clive Milkins at South Bucks RDA. Natasha’s Para Dressage career started, winning the RDA Regional Championships on Tribal Indian, which then led to Natasha being selected to represent Great Britain for the first time, at Millfield CPEDI Junior International.

Once Natasha had completed her GCSE’s, she relocated down the South Yorkshire, England to do her A-Levels, making it easier to combine studying with elite level sport. In 2010, Natasha was lucky enough to be selected onto the BEF’s World Class Podium Potential Programme, which is funded by the National Lottery, UK Sport and Equestrian Team GBR. After completing her A-Levels, Natasha successfully gained a place to study at Sheffield Hallam University, which then led on to her studying for a Master’s degree.

2014 was an incredibly difficult year, as Danny, Natasha’s beloved BFG, died from a fatal heart attack. He left a huge hole and will be forever missed. He had a heart full of gold and had the cheekiest character.

In 2015, Natasha became the British National Winter Champion and Summer Champion with Sweet Caledonia, which were major stepping stones towards her campaign for the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Natasha then went on to successfully retain her British National Champion title at the Winter Championships in 2016. Natasha was then selected to represent Great Britain at her first abroad international, Waregem CPEDI 3, in Belgium. After a very successful competition, representing GB at Hartpury CPEDI 3, Natasha and Sweet Caledonia were selected as Reserves for the Rio 2016 Paralympics!!!

Natasha was incredibly fortunate to not just be selected as Reserve for the Rio 2016 Paralympics but also to have been selected onto the ‘Para Inspiration Programme’, in which a group of athletes across all Para sports, were able to go out to Rio and experience the Paralympic games in preparation for hopefully representing GB at a Paralympics in the future. The opportunity was phenomenal, being able to experience the atmosphere, tour the athlete’s village, watch the Para Dressage as well as a number of other para sports.

2017 was a roller coaster of a year with many highs and lows. After spending a few months in hospital at the start of the year, it was great to be back competing properly in the Spring. Natasha was delighted to be selected, on Sweet Caledonia, to represent GB at the Hartpury CPEDI 3* and be part of the Nations Cup Team. Natasha and Cally came back with a bang and stormed to victory in all 3 tests and winning the Nations Cup. Natasha and Sweet Caledonia were then selected for the European Team to represent GB at the European Championships in Sweden!!! Unfortunately, just before they were meant to leave Cally had to be withdrawn from the Europeans. Cally wasn’t quite right and Natasha will always but her horses welfare first.

2018 saw a big learning curve, as Natasha campaigned both of her horses, Sweet Caledonia and Highlander, for the World Equestrian Games, in Tryon, North Carolina. Natasha and Highlander came 3rd at the National Winter Championships, which led on to them being selected to represent GB at Deauville CPEDI 3* in France, Landy’s first international. Natasha was delighted to be then selected to represent GB with both Cally and Landy at Hartpury CPEDI 3* and Bishop Burton CPEDI 3*.

2019 was a successful year, seeing Natasha and Sweet Caledonia, placing 4th at the Winter Championships at the start of the year, which led on to them being selected to represent GB at 4 Internationals; Deauville CPEDI 3, Hartpury CPEDI 3, Bishop Burton CPEDI 3* and Keysoe CPEDI 3*, as well as qualifying for the National Championships. Cally did, however, perfect the art of throwing her shoes off so fingers crossed there will be no stopping us in 2020!

Natasha is now aiming for Tokyo 2020. It looks to be a very exciting year ahead, campaigning both Cally and Landy, for the Paralympics. We hope you enjoy following Natasha’s campaign and get involved in supporting, Tash To Tokyo!!!

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin” - Tony Robbins

None of this would be possible without my amazing home team, sponsors and supporters, family or friends, so Natasha would like to say a massive thank you from the very bottom of her heart, for helping and supporting her to do what she loves everyday!

We hope you enjoy following Natasha and her horses on their journey!