Natalie is Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year 2025!
At the Awards Ceremony on 4 February a stunned Natalie took several seconds to realise that it was her name called forward to accept the award.
What makes this extra special is that the award is by public vote, so thank you to everyone who voted for Natalie. What an amazing endorsement of the healing powers of horses, the RDA, and Park Lane Stables – and the woman who brings all those together.
As the news sinks in, Natalie shares some of her memories of the evening, and her hopes for what the award may mean for her crusade to spread the recognition of the benefits of horses to our human lives.
“I really didn’t expect to win, as I was up against three totally amazing women. I expected to hear Eartha Pond’s name for her community work in making football accessible to girls. Everyone relates to football’s relevance to everyday life whereas ponies aren’t widely recognised.
So I went along just expecting a very special evening, and proud that my dad was alongside me. He encouraged my love of horses right from being a little girl so it was totally fitting that he should be there, both of us very emotional even before I won!
We were in the most extraordinary company, meeting Sharron Davies, Ellie Simmonds and Baroness Karren Brady were all highlights. There were so many strong women that I look up to.
I was stunned when my name was called out and it took several seconds for me to realise that it was me who had to stand up and head for the stage. This absolutely couldn’t have happened without the fabulous team of people that make up Park Lane Stables – I accepted the award for all of them, and for all those other RDA centres for the tireless work they do.
What does getting this award mean?
It’s hard to say, but the fabulous thing is the way it promotes the benefit of horses to people who may have no personal experience of them. Receiving the award, and talking about what Park Lane Stables RDA does, makes more people aware of the relevance of horses to humans in everyday life, and not just those lucky enough to ride. I’d love to think that it might encourage new people to explore volunteering at their local stables or RDA centre.
The immediate impact has been coverage of the award in the media. And being interviewed pitch-side with Woody (who did a good job of upstaging me) at the recent Brentford vs Arsenal match was pretty entertaining as well as a fantastic chance to explain what Park Lane Stables RDA actually does.
Read this lovely article about the Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year award in Horse and Hound