Natalie Blundell & Algebra - In Pursuit of an Olympic Dream!

Natalie and Algebra showing their style in the three phases of eventing

A dream come true winning Adelaide CCI**** in 1999. Natalie with Billy Bathgate's owners Phil and Mary Hockney, grandaughter Sarah Paul and her parents Lin and Joe Blundell

The beautiful Just a Blonde is currently listed for sale on Horsezone

Natalie Blundell is one of Australia's most accomplished eventers, since winning the CCI 4* event at the 1999 Adelaide International Horse Trials while still a teenager, she has experienced ups and downs, but mostly ups, with success in competing and coaching dominating her life.  Now Natalie has her sights firmly set on competing with the handsome grey Thoroughbred gelding Algebra, in a little town called London, come August this year! 

Starting her business at a young age, with the vision for breeding good enough horses to make the Olympics in eventing, Natalie was lucky enough to meet Phil and Mary Hockney, who purchased Billy Bathgate for her (the horse Natalie won Adelaide on) and sent her to train under Heath and Rozzie Ryan for two years.  During  this time Natalie went from being a pony club rider to almost making the Sydney 2000 Olympics (unfortunately Billy was injured which put her out of the running)!

Natalie is currently training out of Yass, where she is building a property from scratch. She's working on building facilities including stables, but does already have an arena, round yard and some paddocks. Natalie endeavours to give your horse the best possible chance of becoming a superstar or is happy to simply point you and your horse in the right direction for future fun and enjoyment.

For the love of eventing...

When asked what she enjoys most about eventing and what makes a great eventer, Natalie replies, "what I enjoy most is knowing that after being criticised in the dressage, the cross country and showjumping is about you versus the course. And the cross country is a huge adrenalin rush! As far as what makes a great eventing horse - something with courage and athleticism and a horse who loves his job also!!"

Natalie admits there are challenges when training eventers, as with any horses, including, "when you fix one thing, eg: the dressage, and then you lose something else like the showjumping. To be able to train all three phases and bring the horse through the grades, without any hiccups seems almost impossible sometimes and there is always something else that needs improving along the way."

This doesn't mean there aren't plenty of rewarding moments, "when after years of blood, sweat and tears, you find yourself riding at 4 star level and it is all going ahead well! That makes the challenges worth it."

On the horse front Natalie has a couple of favourites, saying, "Just a Blonde would have to be the easiest and the most compliant horse I have had. But I do like a challenge, so Algebra always makes my life interesting and brings up new challenges all of the time to try and solve. My proudest accomplishment would be winning the 4 star at Adelaide in 1999 on Billy Bathgate."

Just a Blonde...

The lovely palomino, Just a Blonde, is currently for sale and Natalie can't speak highly enough of this beautiful horse, "I bred Just a Blonde (aka Flipper). He is a 2 star eventer and recently placed fourth at the Sydney 3 day event in the CCI**. He has completed several 1 and 2 star competitions with wins and placings. He is set to start his 3 star eventing career this year. Flipper also competed to Medium level dressage, placing at Official competitions. He has started tempi changes, canter pirouettes (still green but he tries). His half passes and other lateral work is very good and he has a great extended trot!"

"This horse is an absolute dream to ride. He is soft, has beautiful elastic paces, and is just so super easy to do the movements. He makes novice riders look good!! I have taught lessons on him to a number of young students from around 13 years of age."

"Jumping is no different. He has a really good bold jump, but will also look after a greener rider. He is a very comfortable ride, is honest and straight at arrow heads, apexes and water. I have never had a horse that is so easy to ride cross country. Has always been ridden in a snaffle."

"This stunning boy would make an outstanding Junior horse be it for eventing or dressage. Also adult riding club, but he has also got the potential to make it all the way to 4 star - he really is a dream horse! This is an extremely regretful sale, needed due to working on improving my training facilities and current Olympic aspirations." 

View Just a Blonde's listing on Horsezone for more information.

Olympic dreams...

About those Olympic aspirations - when Equestrian Australia announced the 2012 National Squads on 16 January 2012, Natalie with John Glenn and Julia McLean’s horse, Algebra, were named in this squad and are currently twentieth in the International Olympic rankings and fourth amongst the Australians. Eight horse rider combinations will go to the final training camp in Greenwich, two weeks prior to the Olympics.

Now Natalie is chasing her Olympic dream, "at the moment I am trying to be selected to go to the Olympics. To do this Algebra and I have to go very well in the next few events, including Sydney Three Day Event in April and we are also considering going to Khihiki (New Zealand) for the Trans Tasman in early April. If we make it to London, then more possibilities will open up including the chance to compete at Burghley Three Day Event in September.  If I was to stay on after the Olympics, I would try to base myself with Andrew Hoy, who is now based in England. Even if Algebra and I aren't selected for London, I would still try to go to Burghley, if I can raise enough money.  I would also love to compete at Pau and other similar competitions. I guess we will have to wait and see whether we make the team."

It is a long, hard road to the Olympics and thankfully Natalie is getting some help, "coaching wise I get help from my dressage coach Jo Brady, who lives near Geelong. Then there is Ben Netterfield who is my jumping coach. Both are great mentors for me and have helped me out enormously over the years. The owners of Algebra, Julia McLean and John Glenn, have also given fantastic support over the past six years and are now heading the Olympic fundraising bid for me. My family in Harden are also very supportive and are always helping me "fix" things be it my truck or cars and are also helping with all the fund raising."

How you can help...

Unfortunately making it to the Olympics is an expensive exercise.  If you would like to help Natalie, who is working so hard towards her Olympic dream, please visit the new www.nalgebra.com website where a fund raising campaign has been set up.

The website says, "We are setting up Nalgebra so that it has broad attraction – with the view that not only should those with extraordinary talent be afforded the opportunity to excel despite their limited means, so too should those of limited means (most of us) be allowed to contribute and support their pursuit of excellence. All contributions are welcome, from $10, to $10,000. Seriously, we are serious!"

We wish Natalie all the absolute best in her quest. We can't wait to see her, and Australian Thoroughbred Algebra, flying over fences and framed against the iconic London skyline in August!

by: Jo Johnson/Horsezone

Quick Link

• Visit www.nalgebra.com to make a donation and follow Nat's journey
• Visit the Natalie Blundell Equestrian website