Natalie Mendelssohn

Classical Dressage Training - Harmony, Expression, Lightness, Partnership

“For me, dressage is not just about the end goal or competition success. It is learning to love the process of working and training horses in a way that creates a partnership where both horse and rider are at ease and one with each other and love what they do.”

Natalie is an advanced dressage rider and coach. With a passion for strength and soundness in both horse and rider she focuses on how the rider influences the horse. She helps riders become aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and not only how to improve themselves but in turn also improve their horse. She trains with top level instructors including Daniel Bremner and Grand-prix dressage rider and judge Sara-Jane Lanning. Previously, Natalie also took part in jumping and cross-country competitions which gives her a useful insight when teaching eventers and show jump riders as well as dressage.

Having completed a foundation degree Natalie has secure knowledge on how important it is to train and work horses correctly, including;

Equine Anatomy and Physiology - Equine Exercise Physiology - Equine Fitness And Training - Equine Health Management - Equine Lameness And Rehabilitation - Equine Veterinary Nursing - Initial Training Of Young Horses - Equine Biomechanics - Behavioural Science - Equine Therapeutics

Continuing Professional Development has enabled Natalie to continue to grow in her knowledge and remain up to date with developments including attending training days such as Rider Psychology run by Flying Changes Coaching as well as attended lectures and demonstrations such as Monty Roberts at Merrist Wood College and Charles de Kunffy at Training Teachers of Tomorrow as well as Alice Oppenheimer, William Fox-Pitt and many others. Natalie is pleased to have earned the Duty to Care badge from UkCoaching - learning and knowledge checks based on 5 key pillars; Safeguarding, Inclusion, Diversity, Well-being and Mental Health.

Fully insured with recent up-to-date first aid training.

Natalie’s current horses

Ace

Ace is a 16.2hh Holsteiner, competing successfully at Advanced medium level and working well towards PSG. A wonderful horse with much more to come.
Spartan

Spartan is a 17.2hh Percheron x Friesian who has competed to medium level. He had kissing spine surgery in 2017 and has made a full recovery and loves to play with piaffe and other advanced moves at home!
Rubix

Rubix is a 17hh Oldenburg gelding. Trained to advanced medium - now focusing further on his classical dressage and groundwork.

Meet the Team

Equine Sports Performance - Vicky Reis

Physiotherapy - Vicky has been treating my horses for over 10 years. Her expertise in soft tissue work, wealth of knowledge as well as ongoing support and advice has been vital for myself and my horses.
Farrier - Matt Staples

Farriery - Matt has been an integral part of my team for many years providing my horses with the best possible hoof care. Matt has a fantastic way of explaining the how and why of his work and keeps my barefoot and shod horses feet in great condition.
Saddler - Ellie Martin of Star Saddles

Saddler - Having a correctly fitting saddle is incredibly important. Highly qualified and experienced Ellie understands both the horses and riders needs and is always there to make even the smallest adjustment to achieve fantastic results. My horses have not been the easiest clients but she has never not found a solution.
Equine Dental Services - Adrian Thorne and Sophie Eley

Dentist - Keeping up to date with dental checks has always been important to me. Adrian and Sophie provide regular check ups for all the horses and are always fantastic with them. Kind and understanding yet efficient and professional, I am yet to have had any problems with my horses teeth thanks to their expertise.
Simple System Feeds

All the horses have access to ad-lib forage and are fed a very simple forage based feed twice a day. Simple Systems Feed ensure that they receive enough of the required vitamins and minerals in the form of a balancer that is then topped up with soaked Purabeet and some chop for texture. No added calories unless required for condition. I choose Simple Systems because their feeds are formulated without cereals, pulses such as soya and peas, molasses, additives and preservatives.
Hay and Straw

Hay and straw - Whipley Manor is a family run, local business who grow their own hay and straw. Providing friendly customer service and great quality hay and straw.
Liphook Equine - Ine Refseth

Equine Vet - Ine has become an absolutely integral and key part of the team over the last couple of years since she joined Liphook Equine Hospital. Diagnosing and treating a wide range of ailments over the last couple of years she continues to provide support and guidance on a regular basis.

“My real passion for dressage started in 2009 in southern Spain when I had the fantastic opportunity to train with Sarah-Jane Clarke, classical rider and international instructor, and have lessons on Andalusian stallions. This wonderful experience was then reinforced by coaching from the professional trainer Sam Twyman on his Andalusian stallions and Friesians in Warwickshire.

Since then I have been to training courses, demonstrations and workshops at Talland School of Equitation, the TTT, The Open College of Equine Studies, Plumptom College, Merrist Wood and many more.

I started riding at the age of 4 after I went to a fair where I sat on a tiny pony called Polo. I was hooked. My passion for horses grew with each ride and with a non-horsey family it was a big step getting my first horse at 14. I was extremely lucky to find such a perfect first horse who taught me a huge amount and allowed me to quickly progress to competing in dressage, lower level show-jumping and hunter trials. With each new horse that came along I learnt an awful lot. Some proved a real challenge mentally and physically and I soon realised the importance of having a strong partnership and bond with the horse in order to enjoy them and reach ones goals.

My dressage ambitions developed further in 2013 when I owned a quirky, but very talented, KWPN 8 year old gelding by JAZZ who gave me a taste of what it would be like to move on up the levels.

Whether I am bringing on a youngster, schooling a more advanced horse towards its next advanced competition, my goal is to work with the horse to help them use their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. I enjoy working with all types of horses from all backgrounds from warmbloods to chunky cobs. I strongly believe every horse can do dressage.”