Natalie Lancaster or the Amazon who wants to make Emiratis proud at the Asian Games

Natalie Lancaster is a professional dressage rider who will represent the UAE at the Asian Games in September 2022. Originally from the UK, Natalie developed her love for horses at a young age thanks to her grandmother, who was also a jockey. taming method. “Once you make contact with the horse, it stays inside of you,” says Natalie. However, over the years he focused more on his education, at the expense of dressage, which became a hobby. It was, until he moved to Dubai in 2010.

“I was drawn to her,” she told Euronews. “I couldn’t watch horses on TV and feel nothing.”

In 2014, he got his first Dubai horse, a horse that took part in racing. “He introduced me to the world of sports here, and I’m so grateful for that,” she adds. Natalie eventually met her husband Rashid, who won the UAE silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games in the showjumping competition. “Although we share the same passion, we take different approaches, so we can enjoy the environment and the ride together without being direct competitors,” he says.

Natalie advanced in her career and with the help of her horses Ally and Viva, she was able to get through her first seasons in the UAE. “I was training and improving and developing with the horses. And then my husband was diagnosed with leukemia,” she told Euronews.

In moments of doubt and anxiety, Natalie found serenity with her horses, providing the “calm and positivity” she needed “to fight the battles of the day” side by side with her husband. “At that moment I really appreciate the connection I have with the horses. They are able to connect with me and keep me grounded,” he explains.

After Rashid responded well to her treatments, Natalie returned to competition, with her horses Echo and Fürst Dance DXB, and secured a spot on the UAE team for the 2022 Asian Games.

Natalie Lancaster concluded, “I am very proud to call Dubai ‘home’. I am proud to be a part of developing the dressage world here, and I hope to do something the whole world will be proud of.”