The horse is a wonderous animal!

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20
Apr
2010

Natasha at the Magic of The Horse

Natasha is a 20 year old Grade Two para dressage rider. She is on the World Class Start Squad and has won multiple National Championship titles. She has represented Great Britain at home and abroad and her ultimate aim is a Paralympic gold medal. She currently has two horses she is competing: Lazardo a 16.3hh bay gelding and Cabral, an 8 year old bay Polish Warmblood. Follow her and her horses in H&C's exclusive blog.

"After packing all of our equipment and the horses mum and I set off to Towerlands on Friday afternoon to settle in and get ready for 'The Magic of the Horse'.

We arrived to the organiser Tayna's usual smiling welcome and lots of people buzzing around trying to get everything ready for Saturday's two performances. Woody and JP's stables were more like horse mansions - they were the biggest stables I have ever seen! We got settled in and took the horses for a walk so that they could familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

Once the horses had their dinner we had a guided tour by Tanya and witnessed the most amazing lighting system in bits on the floor of the indoor arena. It all looked very confusing to me but the guys had done a brilliant job of the decoration - it looked amazing. Car Capital sponsored the event and therefore lent us a car so that we were able to get back to the Travelodge in the evening. Mum wasn't used to driving a small car, and going from the large gearbox of the horse box to a small car was rather amusing!

Saturday was pretty busy. We went back to Towerlands and my trainer Sacha Hamilton, who was my pas de deux partner, arrived shortly after. We all had a meeting to arrange timings and music, due to Woody getting so excited at displays we asked for there to be minimal flashing lights so I wouldn't end up on the floor! We had a quick run through at lunch just to make sure everything was spot on and lighting and music was how we all wanted it.

Then it was time for the afternoon performance. Doors opened and I volunteered to sell programmes by the door. Everyone was so excited to see what the show was going to bring. The seats quickly filled up and the atmosphere was electric! I had to scoot off to get ready. We warmed the horses up for 20 minutes in the outdoor arena. Because Woody is so lazy I usually ride him with two whips as I dont have any use of my legs, but JP is so forward he doesn't need them and is a bit wary so I was not allowed to carry one when I was going in to do the performance.

We were walking down to go into the main arena, then suddenly Woody took a disliking to the donkeys that had just come out and therefore wouldn't go into the main arena! When we finally got in, he relaxed (a bit too much) and we started the performance. JP was a superstar and was very relaxed and Woody was well behaved but because I didn't have my whips, he was very lazy! We managed to get around and everyone seemed impressed with the performance. I was able to go and watch some of the others whist I was waiting for the finale, and I was amazed by the vaulting girls, I dont know how they can do backflips etc when the horses are cantering, I think I need some of their balance!

Sacha and I walked in for the finale with all the others that took part in the display and the audience were so supportive and gave such a large cheer it was really encouraging for the evening performance. The times were so close we didn't really get to relax for long before the doors opened for the next audience to arrive. I saw a few of my friends and family that had come to watch and went off again to warm up, this time only for 10 minutes as they had already worked that day. This time Woody didn't mind so much walking through the curtains and he felt a lot more awake and up for it!!

The performance felt a lot better than the afternoon's and I was over the moon with both my boys. I think the lights had woken Woody up! The finale was fantastic; we got an even bigger cheer and everyone said how amazing it looked, so that made me very proud.

We came out and put the horses away. I was exhausted! It had been such a long day full of excitement and surprises and by the time it was over, I don't think I was living on planet earth I was so tired.

I had a brilliant weekend thanks to Tanya and her team. I would certainly recommend the show to anyone, whether horsey or not; it really does appeal to everyone. Being involved in your own discipline makes you live in your own world whether it be dressage, show jumping etc. but from the weekend I have realised that there are no limits to what a horse can do. They are such beautiful, intelligent and incredible animals and I don't think some people realise their potential. So thank you to Tanya for giving us this opportunity to be part of the team."