Name: Natalie Somerville

Age: 22

Location: Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh

Base: I’m based at Jamestown Stables and, alongside Maurice Bingham, we have developed the place together over the past number of years into a busy schooling, sales and competition yard - something I’m really proud of. I don’t come from your typical horsey family; my journey has been different. I’ve worked hard to make my own path, producing my horses from a young age and learning as I go.

Achievements: I have been very lucky to get to the point in my career where owners trust me to produce their horses and ponies and help them fulfil their potential. This is something that I think makes every achievement more rewarding; it’s a great day when an animal steps up a level successfully. My mare, Harlequin’s Butterfly, has been a special one in my journey as I’ve competed with her since a four-year-old and she is now a competitive Grade A 1.30m jumper and we are aiming to go on to 1.35m. Being selected for the SJI Bursary clinics in 2024 and 2025 consecutively was a huge boost. Additionally, I gained sponsorship from the Curtain Mill and Reiki Practitioner Sara Brown in recent years, for which I am incredibly grateful.

Education and work: I work long hard days so spare time is limited, but I am currently completing a sports psychology degree, which I hope to use alongside coaching, which is one of my great interests. Helping younger riders has become a huge passion of mine; their successes bring me as much happiness as my own and I have felt my own riding improve since I started coaching. One highlight was seeing a rider I helped last year go on and win the 2024 London International Mini Major. Coaching also matters a lot to me as it gives me the chance to support the younger generation and share the lessons that I had to figure out for myself.

Horses: Harlequin’s Butterfly, ABS Minty, Zirrocool, TWS Josh

Goals: Looking ahead, my goals are to keep improving as a rider, step into bigger classes and continue developing the young horses in the yard. I’d love to compete in RDS 2026 qualifiers with a few exciting prospects we currently have and I’m excited to see how far Harlequin’s Butterfly goes on. I am currently completing my coaching exams and hope to carry this on alongside my own competitive career.

Natalie was in conversation with Emer Bermingham.