Page 46 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

Natalie
AN INTERVIEW WITH A JUDGE

Hudson

Dear Natalie, thank you for taking the time to through University in becoming a Social Worker
provide us with a interview and answering our and for a short period was in the Navy as a
questions. Junior Officer, working full time as well as been
Horses have always been my passion. I started a foster carer and support myself as a single
out just learning to ride ponies from the age of mum. To have also suffered life changing loss,
7 years old and enjoy spending time with my mental health issues and ill health to still keep
father going along to local show events in and smiling, still help others when they need it and
around Yorkshire Countryside. My father was encouragement to believe in themselves. Horses
passionate about supporting young talent and have always been close to my heart and was
was a sponser for one of John Whitaker MBE in want felt like heaven surround by beautiful
(British equestrain and Olympian in the show Arabians. But sadly, the family stud farm closed
Jumping world groom. We went to the Royal and I just stayed involved with Ring Stewarding
International Horse show to show our support, up and down the country for many years with
on root home we stopped off at an Arabain the Arab Horse Society.
Stud farm and bought our first Arabain horse a
yearling filly for me to grow up with and later When did you first get introduced to the
ride. This quickley changed into my family Miniature horse?
buying more Arabians. We set a Stud Farm I had the opportunity to travel to Holland to watch
up called Cavewood Grange Arabians (1980) and take part in a minature horse show EUSAM
and became one of the biggest names in the (European Studbook American Miniature Horse
Arabian world in the late 1980 into the 90’s. www.eusam.nu) and became completely in love
Owning some of the most treasured horses and with the breed. I then purchased by seconded
famous blood-lines from Russian, Poland, USA, Miniature and had a horse in Irland.
Germany, Netherlands’, England and Finland.
Breeding, producing, breaking horses running a Why did you choose to become a judge and Text written & photographs provided by: Natalie Hudson
herd off 120 horses. when did you start your judging career?
I decided to become a judge because I’m no
When did your love of horse begin? longer in the financil situation to own horses
My love of horses stems from a little girl, I and produce them anymore. Equally, My health
struggled at school with Dyslexia felt very I suffer with Rheumatiod Arthritis which is a
alone and isolated. I am so proud that I have chronic inflammatory condition. My been a
also had to over come discrimination with my Judge allows me to transfer skills I was had and
dyslexia and confidence and battled my way help others and inspire.

46 | Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023