Natalie Banks, previously known as Natalie Bushell, is a registered British Dressage Trainer, UKCC Level 2 Coach and has competed successfully competed abroad at FEI level. Natalie has had much experience with many different types of horses and has trained her own horses through the levels to the Grand Prix movements and competing at Intermediare 1 level and was selected for Junior European Teams. Natalie currently competes her own horses as well as those on behelf of owners and is actively invovled with various BD Training including the recent Inter County Challenge as the trainer for Bedfordshire Teams and one of the trainers at Eastern Region BYRDS Training Camp. Natalie is an enthusiastic, hard-working, friendly and committed person. Having gained a BA Honours in Marketing she now owns business, Peak Performance Horses, specializing in:

• Excellent training of horses and coaching of riders
• Buying and producing top quality dressage ponies and horses, imported from Holland and Germany
• Working alongside Top Dutch Breeders and Agents Sourcing Top Quality Ponies for the younger generation of up and coming riders. Trips organized regularly

Natalie has gained fantastic new sponsorship from Hayley Springett of Veterinary Thermal Imaging. Veterinary Thermal Imaging provides a visual management tool for owners and professionals, such as Natalie, monitoring injury, illness or disease. Totally non-invasive images are taken using a handheld infrared camera measuring any subtle abnormal temperature differences. ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’ spots are recognised giving an indication of any injuries or problem areas. Natalie who owns and runs Peak Performance Horses Ltd, commented, “The support from Hayley at Veterinary Thermal Imaging will ensure that I can keep my horses in tip top condition as the images can detect painful areas up to three weeks before the horses show any symptoms. This means I can prevent injuries easier and ensure my horses are all happy and pain free which is the most important thing to me.”

Hayley has a strong background in veterinary nursing and holds a first honours degree in Animal Behaviour. With her knowledge and experience Hayley can provide excellent analysis of your horses’ images. Natalie continues, “Hayley visits my yard to take the images and she is brilliant with the horses. They are so relaxed and I even get my unbacked youngsters done as it’s totally non-invasive.”
 “More people should look into using Veterinary Thermal Imaging as not only can it detect issues before symptoms arise but also it is great for saving costs on MRI scans and X-rays in the future. I will also use Hayley for when I purchase future horses as vettings rarely show up these problem areas or possible areas of concern, which will save me a lot of money, time and heartache.”

For more information visit www.veterinary-thermal-imaging.com or Contact Hayley Springett on 07920 484198 quoting PPH for discounted imaging. (Only for use with Hayley as the Thermographer.)

Another win for Natalie and HP Kalibre, taking both the Elementary classes at Moulton College on Sunday 7th October on over 68% and 69%

HP Kalibre Wins Elementary Music Class at Bury Farm EC on 24th September with a qualifying score to secure a place at the Winter Semi-Finals

Natalie's Mother, Pam Bushell recently passed her judging exam to upgrade to List 2. Pam is delighted with her pass as she has been working hard to get to this point. Being a List 2 judge now allows Pam to judge at Prix St George level. PPH is very proud to have a List 2 Judge as part of the team.

Exciting news for Peak Performance Horses and Natalie Banks as a new business partnership has formed with talented Event/ Dressage Rider Lizzy Fitch.

A perfect business match as Natalie has trained her own horses to Grand Prix level and is a qualified UKCC Coach and Lizzy has competed successfully in Eventing and more recently was placed 5th at the British Dressage National Championships 2011.

The pair is now focusing on backing and producing top competition ponies and selling quality Dressage and Event horses and ponies.

With their first trip together to Germany fast approaching, to find potentially top pony youngstock, the new partnership forming Peak Performance Horses is set to succeed.

PPH will also now be offering backing services along with the great range of services we already offer. Please see 'Facilities and Services' and 'Training and Clinics' for more information.

The PPH Team would like to welcome a fantastic new young horse onto the yard. 'Step Up' is a rising 5 year old German Bred Gelding by Sandro Hit out of a Weltmeyer mare. He is owned by Sally Tym who has supported Natalie tremendously providing her with talented horses including Wild River. Step Up is a striking horse with an amazing hind and front leg action. Natalie is hoping to take him to Premier Leagues throughout 2012 to contend in the 5 year old classes.

Personal best score for both Natalie and Wild River at Keysoe on 13th December gaining a great win on 78.1% securing their qualification for the winter regional championships for the elementary music class.

Natalie & HP Kalibre win both Elementaries at BD Trakehner Show
Natalie & HP Kalibre win both Elementaries at Addington Manor
Natalie & HP Kalibre win both Elementaries at Witham Villa
Natalie & HP Kalibre win both Elementaries at Sissons Farm

Natalie & Wild River score 78.1% in the Elementary Music at Keysoe
Natalie & Wild River score 70.4% in the Elementary Music at Keysoe
Natalie & Wild River wins first Elementary at Moulton College!
Natalie & Wild River Two Firsts Aston Le Walls on qualifying scores!
Natalie & Wild River Two Firsts Aston Le Walls on qualifying scores of 72%!
Natalie & Wild River 1st & 2nd Aston Le Walls on qualifying scores!

FEI Pony Prospect Welcome Sharan will be making her debut soon - watch this space!

Wild River gains another great score of 70.4% in the Elementary Music at Keysoe on 8th November!

Wild river wins his debut Elementary at Moulton College and gets 71.87% in the Elementary Music class on 6th November

Natalie & Wild River continue their winning form with two more wins at Aston Le Walls in the Novice. The pair are now qualified for Winter Regionals and with consistently high scores this combination are certainly the ones to watch!

Natalie & Wild River continue their winning form with two wins at Aston Le Walls in the Novice on qualifying scores of just under 72%!

A huge congratulations to my client Lizzy Fitch & her bay gelding Shannondale Victor who came 5th with 65.86% in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Restricted Championship at the Dressage Deluxe National Dressage Championships today! Well done from Team PPH!

PPH Naomi Nefertari scanned in foal to leading dressage sire Floriscount!

Floriscount, a dark chestnut stallion just like his grandsire born in 2005 is by Florencio / Donnerhall / Walldorf / Tin Rocco / Vollkorn xx. He clearly dominated his competitors at his performance test, winning the dressage index with scores up to 10.0 for rideability and his canter. His debut as a sire in 2010 was a sensation and everyone talked about his strong type foals. All over Germany, they won foal shows and brought top prices at the Verband auctions.

Floriscount unites type, size and presence with outstanding rideability and temperament as well as excellent gaits and he passes on all of these traits to his offspring!

Natalie & HP Kalibre continue their winning form with two wins in the Elementary at Addington Manor today!

Stunning 5 year old Grey/ Black German Riding Pony Mare by Welcome Sharan. Backed last year and working well on the flat. Has loose jumped and done polework. Great to hack. Extremely flashy with huge walk, fantastic trot and canter. Will make top FEI pony in the future for a talented child. Amazing temperament and excellent to shoe, box, clip etc. Has passed 5 stage vetting in Germany. Price on Application. Serious enquiries only please.

HP Kalibre's (Kal) recent form catch's the eye of leading equestrian magazine Horse & Hound.

Since returning to full work after injury, Kal has won all four of his Elementary tests on qualifying scores proving he is one to watch for the future! Kal needs just 6 more points to secure his qualification for the Winter Regionals!

Natalie & Kal are off to Addington next week and hope to retain their winning form! Watch this space....

Wild River owned by Sally Ann Tym has arrived safely at Natalie’s yard for her to compete and sell in the future. Wild River is a stunning 16hh 8 year old KWPN Chesnut Gelding by Riverman. He is an extravagant mover with a breath-taking canter. Natalie is aiming to qualify for the Winter Regionals on him and hopefully go on to the Winter Finals. Natalie is extremely grateful for the ride on this beautiful horse so look out for them on circuit soon. For sales enquiries please call Natalie on 07811 208717. POA.

Natalie has recently had an opening for one lucky owner and their horse. If you have a talented horse and want a talented rider to train and compete your horse then don't hesitate to call. Natalie can offer her expertise, talent and passion with you and your horse.

Offering excellent facilities and having a list 3a judge on site, Natalie is always focusing on her training and getting the best out of her horses.

Natalie wants to share her dressage enthusiasm with a new owner. She is open to discuss you and your horses needs and hopes that she can share her competition ambitions with you. Think that you could be watching your horse going down the centre line at the Nationals or even Internationals. Pop open the champagne and enjoy your horses success with a new passionate and talented rider that is just looking for a break to help her achieve her long term dreams of Senior Team Selection. Contact Natalie today and be part of this dream!

The Eastern Region held the first ever Inter County Competition on June 12th 2011 at Norton Heath EC. Having had fantastic entries for the selection trials, it was going to be a difficult job to choose our 3 teams to represent Bedfordshire at this prestigious competition. As selector, I decided to hold a test riding day where our riders would have to ride through their choice of test and be judged by either Pam Bushell or Ingar Bryant. Having watched the test riding sessions and looked at previous results and team spirit we chose 12 lucky riders to represent Bedfordshire.

The Bedfordshire Team at the Inter County Challenge 11-12 June 2011
Jess Brown, Hayley Sharman, Clare Burton, Sarah Armstrong, Lizzy Fitch, Wendy Gidding,
Amy Nash, Alice Dove, Louise Wilkins, Femke Meiland, Natalie Westgarth and Eddie Pounce.

Most of the teams arrived the night before the competition for some last minute training and a fun packed Bedfordshire BBQ. Team Spirit was fabulous as we all grabbed a rounders bat and played in the field after our BBQ. We had secured some fantastic sponsors for the day including Bee Embroidery, Pri-Mare Donna Clothing providing us with team t-shirts, NAF providing us with Fly Spray, TopSpec providing us with Alf Alfa, Pat Marlin providing us with Numnahs and Alice Dove providing us with Scrunchies. As our team colour was grey/ silver, the team members bought stocks, bandages and ear covers to match (bought from Samantha Collins). Our team was ready to go and looked fantastic.

The Bedfordshire Team & their Sponsors - thank you!

With an early start the sun was shining and it looked to be a promising day. Unfortunately the sun didn’t last for long and the heavens opened, raining for the entire day. We had some great results as the day progressed with Amy Nash winning the Elementary overall and Natalie Westgarth being placed 5th overall in the Medium. Although our teams just missed out on placings, team spirit was amazing and everybody had a fantastic day.

I am really looking forward to next years Inter County competition, I just hope it’s a less wet day!

Well done to all my team riders: Jess Brown, Hayley Sharman, Clare Burton, Sarah Armstrong, Lizzy Fitch, Wendy Gidding, Amy Nash, Alice Dove, Louise Wilkins, Femke Meiland, Natalie Westgarth and Eddie Pounce.

Natalie won Bronze at The Young Professional Awards 2010 on February 15th 2010 at Talland Equestrian Centre. Six finalists competed against each other, including myself. The Judges were Carl Hester and Nicola Jourdain.

In the morning we all rode two young or problem horses and two advanced horses. We were asked to perform certain movements and discuss our horses’ way of going and how we might improve each horse. After our riding sessions we had interviews with a panel of Dressage Judges. We were asked about our future goals and ambitions. In the afternoon we got the chance to sit with Carl and Nicola on a one to one basis and give lessons to other riders, with the guidance of both judges.

The whole day was extremely fun and I learnt a lot from both Carl and Nicola. Being placed third, I was lucky enough to be granted £1000 towards my career in Dressage. I plan to spend some of this money on training and studying towards my Level 2 UK Coaching Certificate. Many Thanks to kind sponsors Mr and Mrs Manning for making this award possible.