Introduction of our sponsored rider Natalie Starling Bennett Posted on 2 Aug 20:08 , 0 comments

Hello everyone and welcome to Cape Equestrian.  Before I start, I would like to say that Reene and I feel extremely blessed to finally launch our clothing line “Cape Equestrian” .  With Natalie Bennett’s acceptance of our sponsorship our hope is that we can develop a community of equestrian lovers young and old who accept nothing less than the best quality and most comfortable clothing.  

Now here is Natalie.

           Born and raised in the rural village of Galleywood, in the county of Essex, England. 30 miles east of London. 
  I didn't come from a "horsey" family, but grew a love for horses when I took my first riding lesson at the age of 10. From that point on I owned my first horse at the age of 12 and took up a passion for show jumping. I competed 3 times a week from that time onward until late in my teens! By the age of 15 I sold my first horse and imported my future star from Ireland. 
At age 16 I became an International groom for two show jumpers on the British Young Rider Team. I got to travel all over England and Europe, such an amazing experience at such a young age. By age 18 I obtained my BHSAI, British Horse Society Assistant Instructor certification. Without this you are not taken seriously nor hireable as an instructor in England.
Having moved to the USA at age 20 I wanted to improve my skills. I became an instructor at a dressage barn in Connecticut and continued to pursue my education with the British Horse Society. That year I returned to England and obtained my BHSII, British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor certification, something very desirable and not so easy to achieve!
Having been introduced to my now husband of 15 years, I moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1998. I carried on doing what I loved and managed and taught out of a number of barns. In that time I purchased a young horse to resell (Just so happened to be grand daughter to legendary Seattle Slew!). I showed her in the hunter ring and then later sold her to a teenage student of mine.
2007 was a pivotal year for me. I had acquired an apprenticeship with a USDF (United States Dressage Federation) gold medalist. I was given the opportunity to show amazing German imported warmbloods along with local clients horses to train and show too!
I am very competitive by nature so to have a variety of horses, all different breeds, different ages and different levels to show was a dream come true. In 2010 I achieved my USDF Bronze medal. I was starting to make a name for myself and for the horses I was riding. From that year on I achieved many NEDA (New England Dressage Association) year end awards and the highlight of 2014 was receiving FHANA (Friesian Horse Association of North America) Reserve Champion in the Country at First level on a very difficult horse that I have now had in training for 3 years. We are currently holding strong for champion at Second Level 2015!
2015 is a very exciting year, with 3 horses to compete and being chosen to be the sponsored rider for Cape Equestrian, I'm ready for the next chapter.
A quote from my most admired equestrian, Olympic team gold medalist, Carl Hester....
"Some people want it, some wish it would happen, go and make it happen"