Patient approach with Shire horses pays off for Nathalie

Preparing them and then presenting them at shows takes considerable skill, not to mention a degree of strength.

The regulars, many of them farmers, were in for a surprise when Nathalie Cross appeared on the scene.

Nathalie and her father Steven’s Shire horses have gradually been making a name for themselves over the past few years – and it is Nathalie, 22, who takes the lead.

“We keep our Shires at home in Lofthouse and it’s fair to say that our lives have been taken over by these wonderful animals,” says Nathalie. “My father always wanted Shire horses since he was a child, his grandfather used to take him to local shows and to the Great Yorkshire to watch the heavies.

“When Dad built our stables when I was a child he said then he had made them big enough to house Shires.”

They bought their first mare seven years ago as a yearling filly, from Paul Clayton of Bradford.

Westfield Lucky Charm, known as Lucy, has had four foals and her fifth is due any day now.

Lucy has been very successful in the show ring and was first at a number of shows last year including Newark and Notts, the Great Yorkshire Show, Otley and Halifax. She was first and reserve champion at Harthill and Arthington shows and champion Shire at Woolley.

Her foal, Crossingtons High Definition, or Heidi, is also doing well. After a number of second and third placings last year, Heidi stepped up to compete at the recent Shire Horse Society’s Spring Show at Peterborough where she came third in a very competitive yearling filly class.

“We have been to watch for the past five years but this was the first time we have entered,” said Nathalie. “It was a very strong class with some big names in there. Both me and Dad were in tears with the result, it felt like a win for us.”

Nathalie works in commercial insurance broking and all her spare time is spent looking after the horses. Apart from the Shires, she also has three horses that she showjumps.

Getting a mare and foal ready for a show takes her three hours on the day, plus most of the evening before will be spent washing them and making other preparations.

“It’s hard work but when we go to shows it makes all the hard work worthwhile,” says Nathalie. “We have these animals to support the breed and because we think they are just amazing.”

Nathalie admits that her mother, Jayne, did not share their enthusiasm for Shires initially. But now Lucy especially is part of the family. They are hoping that Heidi will follow in Lucy’s footsteps and become a champion-winning mare. Their first outing of the season is planned for the Otley Show on May 19.

Nathalie is still something of a rarity in the world of heavy horses but she doesn’t mind.

She said: “Most of the people are older and from farming backgrounds. But I think they’ve got used to me now.”

n For more information about Shire horses go to www.shire-horse.co.uk