Date of birth
30 December 1989
Lives
Uxbridge, Middlesex
Major achievements
2011
1st Team and Individual tests at Hickstead Premier League
1st in the Team, Individual and Freestyle classes at CPEDI3* Deauville
2010
Grade II National Champion 2010 (2nd over all Grades)
2nd Individual Grade II and 1st Freestyle to Music at Winter National Championships
Selected as a reserve for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky
2009
3rd Individual Grade II and 3rd Freestyle to Music at Hartpury International
1st Individual Grade II at the Spring International Championships
2008/2009
1st Individual Grade II and Overall Freestyle to Music Champion at Winter National Championships
2007
1st Individual Grade II (National Champion) at KBIS National Championships
3rd Individual and 4th Freestyle to Music at FEI World Para Dressage Championships
3rd in GB team, 2nd Individual Grade II and 1st Freestyle to Music at Norway International
4th Freestyle to Music at German International
1st Overall Individual Grade II and Freestyle to Music at the Winter National Championships
2006
1st Individual and 1st Freestyle to Music at France International
3rd at British Dressage National Championships
5th Individual and 5th Freestyle to Music at German International
2005
2nd Individual and 3rd Freestyle to Music at Belgium International
1st Individual and 2nd Freestyle to Music at Hartpury International
1st Overall under 21yrs Champion at Junior International, Millfield School
Natasha has been surrounded by horses all her life and began riding at her local RDA, South Bucks., where she competed in many competitions using their horses. At 12 she was selected for the World Class Start Programme for para-equestrian dressage and has since progressed onto the World Class Potential Squad.
Natasha is a Grade II rider; “When I was 14 months old I contracted Transverse Myelitis (inflammation of a section across the spine) the nerve damage is permanent and has left me with sever weakness and increased tone in my legs. This has obviously affected my balance; I can walk short distances using a stick and for longer distances I use an electric scooter. When I ride I do not have the ability to use my legs to push the horse forward, so we have trained the horses to respond to my voice and seat.
Natasha is part of Team Visa a sponsorship programme that helps the best young athletes in Europe as they strive to fulfil their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. 16 UK athletes were selected and mentored by former Olympic and Paralympic Champions and given the wisdom and motivation needed to train, qualify and win medals at an international level. Young potential Olympians and Paralympians are put forward to Team Visa by their sport’s National Governing Body, the mentors then select the very best of these hopefuls to join the team; Natasha’s mentor on the programme was triple Olympic Gold medallist, Sir Steven Redgrave.