WEG wishes - JP shines | Horse and Country TV

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23
Jul
2010

WEG wishes - JP shines

Natasha is thrilled to be reserve for WEG

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.

"It's been a busy year! Having a new partnership meant that I wanted to go to as many competitions as possible. It's ok when horses are going well at home but it's a different story when you go out - horses react to different atmospheres and no matter how good you are with nerves, riders always react to being away from home. I couldn't have wished for a better start to my year, we were going out and rarely getting under 70%, our partnership grew and grew and it was made clear that I was actually in contention for WEG (the World Equestrian Games). I was selected to ride in Germany. It was an okay trip, the first day I completely over-rode and made a few costly mistakes, although I ended up third to two top German riders.

Poxy

Then just before our National Championships at Hickstead I caught chicken pox! I'm sure that anyone who has had it as an adult can sympathise with me that it is the most horrible feeling, I was so sick, had no energy and was stuck in bed for a week! Despite this, and much to the selectors' amazement I was determined to ride because I didn't want my selection for WEG to be compromised. I obviously didn't ride that well but I did my absolute best. I was third the first day and second on the individual day with 69%, which I was over the moon with considering the circumstances. Hartpury was my last chance. I didn't think my chances for WEG were great to be honest because of me being so ill at Hickstead and I was still lacking a bit of energy and fitness. I ended up third on all three days - it was too close for comfort with only six marks between first and third on the individual day! JP was a superstar, he behaved impeccably.

WEG team announced

On the last day we had a meeting about the team for WEG. Everyone was so nervous, there were no dead certs, it was so open and there were so many combinations that had done well throughout the year. I thought that with JP and I being such a new partnership they would take people who are more established. They announced the team of seven and then it came to reserve... It seemed like such a long wait but they called out my name! I was shocked! It hadn't sunk in even an hour later. I am so so pleased to be part of it, even if I don't get to go I am so proud of JP and our achievement in our first season together. Next year it's the Europeans and London 2012 after that... So who knows...?