Trainer Lisa Hopkins

“NATASHA and Lottie are such a good match. Lottie has a good work ethic and wants to help Natasha. She also has a big engine and is naturally self-propelled and powerful, but kind with it. It feels as though she has found her role in life as a para horse.

“Lottie’s strengths are all the things that are important in para dressage. She is naturally uphill and in front of the leg with good rhythm. I find her lovely to ride as well, and I work on keeping her responsive for Natasha.

“The movements in Natasha’s grade [grade III] are equivalent to novice/elementary but the frame and harmony are so important, and the judges are quite demanding. The precision and attention to detail that is required to do well in para dressage pays off in able-bodied dressage, too. The public don’t often get the chance to see our top paras in action, and I think many people don’t appreciate how good they actually are.

“Lottie’s good temperament means I don’t feel nervous watching Natasha on her, and it makes us more relaxed about travelling with her, even without much mileage. She isn’t a horse who needs to have seen everything; she processes things well and never says no.”