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My family haven’t always had horses so Dressage wasn’t a sport I was destined to do.
My earliest memory of horses was when I was about 5 years old. My mum was looking
for a new hobby and decided to take up riding lessons. I was taken along to watch
Mum ride and begged and begged to be able to ride one of the ponies myself.
Eventually I was allowed to start having riding lessons myself and I have never
looked back. One thing led to another, with Mum wanting to buy her own
horse and then getting me my first pony. We moved house to a beautiful farm
house with stables and that’s when we had our own horses. I started as most
kids do. I rode around my field on my pony and hacked around the village.
I joined the Pony Club and did all the usual activities such as Camps and
Tetrathlon.
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At the age of 12 was when I really got into Dressage. My mum had bought a
dressage horse and I was found regularly in the school on him flying across
the diagonal doing a line of 2 time tempi changes. I always enjoyed schooling
and found my first Dressage pony Edale Ballad or Amos as we knew him. Amos
was a fabulous pony who gave me lots of experience and got me totally hooked
on Dressage. I joined BYRDS and went to Central Training and can remember
watching riders like Laura Bechtolsheimer and Maria Eilberg on their ponies
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and that’s when I knew I wanted to represent GB in Dressage. I started
training with Jill Day and she helped me train Amos up to FEI level.
We got selected for the Championship Pony Squad and were ranked one
of the top pony combinations. In our last year together we were shortlisted for the
Pony European Team but just missed out.
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I was then suddenly a Junior Rider and had to move onto horses. We found Castle
Cosmos, known as Arfur to his friends. Arfur was an advanced Irish Sports Horse.
He was 17hh and a big step from a 14.2hh pony. I started training with Henk
Van Bergan alongside Jill Day and we soon became a successful partnership
being selected to represent GB at Roosendaal, Holland CDI, Saumur, France
CDI and Addington, UK CDI. We were consistently placed and came 3rd overall
at the Addington CDI. We competed together up to Intermediare 1 level
successfully.
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The ultimate dream then happened and we were selected to represent GB
on the Junior European Team. Unfortunately , 3 days before the Europeans
Arfur became extremely ill with a virus and the vet said we couldn’t
travel him. I was absolutely heartbroken. My dreams had shattered in
front of me and I felt totally lost. I decided that I wanted to support
the Junior Team so I drove to France to wave the flag instead of riding.
Arfur never really made full recovery and went on to semi retire with
a friend of ours and he passed away a couple of
years ago. His ashes are buried next to our arena under an apple tree.
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Eze-Duz-It, known as Daphne to her friends was purchased as a ‘fun’ horse for me to
jump and not have any pressure on. Daphne is an Irish x TB and when we bought her
she had done some low level eventing. When Arfur became ill, my focus went onto
Daphne to train her to be as good as possible. In the eight years we have owned
Daphne I have trained her from Novice to Grand Prix with many successes along the
way. She was never the ‘flashy’ dressage type but with correct training we did
really well.
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We went to Regionals at Novice, Elementary, Medium and Advanced Medium
level being placed consistently in the top ten. I had competed her at PSG and Inter
1 at Premier League shows also. I have had the most fun training Daphne and she
was retired in 2010. We have had an embryo transfer done with her and now have
a beautiful 3 year old gelding by Briar 899. I am very excited to start riding
him as he is very similar in his ways to Daphne. In the same year we also bred
another foal called Starsky. He is by the Polish Warmblood Stravinsky.
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In 2006, I went to University at Northampton and studied Marketing for four years gaining at 2:1 BA Honours Degree. I have always enjoyed studying and feel it is vital to have a good education to back up any career choice that I made.
In 2007, I married my gorgeous husband, Colin and became Natalie Banks (nee Bushell). Colin is not ‘horsey’ at all. Infact he is extremely allergic to horses so cannot really get too involved either, although he comes to shows to support me, as long as he doesn’t get too near!
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In 2010, I registered Peak Performance Horses as my new company. Since starting riding
I knew that I would end up working with horses. I am passionate about my riding and
training and am a true country girl at heart. I am now producing young ponies to
sell on to talented children wanting a career in Dressage. I have also started to
take an interest in breeding and am a qualified UKCC Level 2 coach. I train my
own horses everyday under the watchful eye of my Mother, Pam Bushell, List 2
Judge and I also teach many clients on a regular basis. I now train with Dan
Sheriff and Daniel Greenwood on my current horse HP
Kalibre. For more information on my current rides please see
‘ My Horses’.
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I love my job and my horses so much and would like to thank everyone,
especially my parents, that have helped me get to where I am today.
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Pam Bushell
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My Mum & BD List 2 Judge & Rider
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My Mum has been my rock for my entire life, helping me through the bad times and enjoying the good times with me. She is not only my Mum but she is also my best friend (as well as groom, cheerleader, driver, accountant, secretary, trainer and the list goes on…) Mum helps me with my everyday training and does a lot of test riding with me also being a list 2 judge. She has a fantastic eye and is great at helping tweak the small things that help me achieve the higher percentages. Mum also has a great eye for a good horse and helps me choose future horses for myself or ponies for me to produce. I would not be where I am today without the help and support of my Mum.
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Richard Bushell
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My Dad & Sponsor!
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Dad has been fantastic throughout my riding career. Although he is not ‘horsey’, he owns and runs his own business, The Peak Group, therefore sharing his wisdom with me about running my own business. He is always on hand to help me with making big decisions and gives me incredible advice without being emotionally involved. Dad has also generated this incredible eye for good horses, so video’s of me riding end up being watched by him and I get his stamp of approval. He has helped me set up PPH and has invested in me to make my business successful. I am eternally grateful for everything he has given me to help me achieve my dreams.
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Taught by Natalie and recent new business partner, Lizzy is an
eventer and newly turned Dressage rider having competed at the
BD National Championships 2011 being placed a fantastic 5th in
her class riding her own Shannondale Victor. Lizzy is a valuable
team member for PPH backing all the future up and coming
horses for Natalie and producing the Young Event Ponies. She
has recently backed PPH Brieze doing an amazing job and she is due to start
PPH Starsky soon. Lizzy is available to take in horses to back.
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Darren is one of the most important members of the PPH team as
“No Foot, No Horse!”. He has always done a super job and is
extremely helpful with any issues or queries. Not only is a
fantastic farrier, he is also extremely reliable, trustworthy and a good friend.
Please visit Darren’s website:
www.willowbrookequinefarriers.co.uk
for more information
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Hayley Springett
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Thermographer
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Hayley has joined the PPH Team as our Thermographer. She has a strong background in Veterinary Nursing and also holds a First Class Honours Degree in Animal Behaviour. Thermal Imaging is an important aspect of keeping the PPH horses in tip top condition as it can show up signs (Hot and Cold Spots) of injury before the horse displays any symptoms such as lameness etc. This can help prevent serious injuries and ensure our horses are healthy and happy.
Images are taken using an infrared camera, so it is totally non-invasive. Hayley then prepares a report and sends it to you afterwards so you can use the information alongside your vet, chiropractor, physio, farrier etc.
For more information or to book your visit please ring Hayley on 07920 484198 quoting PPH for discounted imaging (only valid with Hayley as your thermographer).
Visit www.veterinary-thermal-imaging.com for in-depth information.
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Keighley Spaughton
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McTimoney Practitioner
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Keighley is key to keeping our competition horses and ponies at their best as our Mctimoney Chiropractor.
Treatment can be used to prevent as well as treat musculoskeletal injuries helping to restore, maintain health, soundness and performance in addition to relieving muscular tension and associated discomfort.
I assess the horse to feel for misalignmens which are bones that are stuck within their natural range of movement. Misalignments usually occur because one of the attached muscles is in spasm. This restricts the amount of movement allowed and is usually associated with pain and/or stiffness.
List of common symptoms:
Bucking
Rearing
Napping
Refusing to jump
Cold backed
Loss of performance
Leaning on one rein
Change in behaviour
Changing legs or going disunited in canter
Continually shifting weight when standing still
Carrying the tail to one side
Tilting the head when ridden
Asymmetrical muscle tone
Preference to one canter lead or trot diagonal
Biting or kicking when groomed, girthed or mounted
Unlevel gait
Jumping to one side
Lack of top line
Unwilling to go forward
Toe dragging
Tripping
Uneven hoof/shoe wear
Misalignments are treated by rapid adjustments across specific bony landmarks. The adjustments use speed rather than force and are usually readily accepted by the animals. As well as applying a vibrating energy into the bone the muscle reflex is also stimulated. If a spasmed muscle is made to contract it will then relax and the restricted bone may be released and pain and stiffness relieved.
The severity of symptoms depend to some extent on the pain threshold of the horse.
The frequency of treatment depends on the individual and their work load but 3-6 monthly check ups are usually recommended.
Please call Keighley for any bookings on 07796 808304.
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Natalie has been teaching my daughter Amy for the last five years.
In that time she has taken her from Prelim to
Advanced Medium/ Junior FEI. Her support and encouragement has been invaluable.
We cant recommend Natalie enough.
Nicky Nash. Romarnic Stud,
Thurleigh, Bedford |
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Since training with natalie she has changed my style and approach
to dressage, she doesn't just say good she tells you why
it was good or if it was not right she will help you work
out why then work through it if one thing doesn't work
she always has something else to try. she has given me aims and
targets and is very supportive.
Lizzy Fitch, BD Elementary
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