Natalie back on winning trail

West Sussex-based Cambridge vet student Natalie McGoldrick is back on her winning streak after having a few months off to concentrate on exams and training her young horse, 'Promise Me'. At Brinsbury College dressage recently, Natalie, who stables her horses at Nyewood, near Rogate, and the five-year-old 'Promise Me' '“ otherwise known as Harry '“ won both open novice classes, which qualifies them for the Winter Regional championships.

"I am absolutely thrilled with him," said Natalie. "This is only his third competition, so to qualify for the regionals in one go is quite impressive."

Natalie, voted Cambridge University's Sportsperson of the Year 2005 after her many successes in international competitions, bought the warmblood cross thoroughbred gelding in March, and is aiming towards eventing him at the end of this year.

She said: "He is the most talented horse I have ever sat on, but he is also very green, so I will give him time to build his confidence up."

Natalie is spending her summer riding other peoples' horses to earn some money, as well as producing three young horses, before she returns to Cambridge in September to complete her veterinary degree.

< NO1>"It seems strange to have graduated but not to have completed my course," she added. Cambridge vet students graduate with their Cambridge BA after three years, and Natalie obtained a 2.1 in zoology this year.

< NO>"My course will be a bit tougher from now on, as we have to spend our holidays working in vet practices," she said, "but there will always be enough time for the horses."