Local hairdresser Natasha Connolly first started riding at the age of three, after a recommendation from a specialist to aid with her epilepsy.
Natasha has her condition completely under control now, and has done for quite a few years, however the horse riding is something she has continued throughout her childhood years.
They qualified for the ‘Australasian Show Horse and Rider Championships’ after winning the New Zealand title for Saddle Hunter in the ‘Horse of the Year’ show in Hasings in March.
The annual Land Rover Horse of the Year show is New Zaaland’s premier equestrian competition, featuring a range of horse and rider combinations from multiple disciplines.
With over 1400 riders and 1800 horses competing for lucrative titles and prize money, the show is a feature on all equestrian calendars.
Natasha and Tigger will be making their way to Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre in Melbourne, in November, to compete and Natasha says they will be up against at least 20 other competitors.
“All of the contestants have won their title at their corresponding national event, so we are going up against the best. To win Saddle Hunter, the horses must be strong, handsome and have an elegant presence. Big, strong, ground covering movements, basically what you would see on the hunt field.”
Showing is the most subjective of all the disciplines – it’s essentially a beauty competition, where each judge will have his or her own opinion. There is one indefinable quality that makes or breaks the show horse – charisma.
The logistics to getting to an event like this one is an ordeal, says mum Marilyn, “we have a quiz night to organise and will be doing another sausage sizzle and we have a Givealittle page set up, every little bit helps!”
For the build-up to the event, Natasha and Tigger are training hard, “we will be competing in an indoor arena, so we have to get him used to noise and be comfortable around it. We are doing lots of lessons and exercising, and keeping things varied.”
To find out more go to www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/get-tigger-to-werribee