Trainer, Natasha Backhouse Humphries of Queensland in Australia was born into a horse family and has been riding since she was about two years-old. Her father is a reining trainer in Australia, so she grew up in that industry. However, she quickly learned that training western pleasure horses was her calling.
Humphries has been very fortunate to have had many nice horses including, CP Surely The Best, who is by RL Best Of Sudden. This horse won all the two, three and junior horse titles at their major shows in Australia. Natasha says that the western pleasure industry in Australia is a lot like here in the states but on a smaller scale.
Last year, one of her clients had a horse with Jeff Long and that’s how she ended up meeting the couple. Earlier this year, Natasha says that she mentioned to Long that she wanted to come to Congress. That’s when he offered her the amazing opportunity to show a two year-old at the show. Humphries was asked to show the mare, Moonin The Neighbors, by Only In The Moonlite, who is owned by Gail Remington. The mare is also out of world champion producer, Vested N Satin, and has been with Jeff since August of her yearling year.
Natasha did not disappoint. After getting over the shock of the shear size and craziness of the Congress, she got down to business. This new team placed fourth in the limited division of the Two Year-Old Maiden Western Pleasure on Tuesday and was reserve champion in the Southern Belle Breeders. On Wednesday night, she also ended up 15th in the Two Year-Old Open Maiden Futurity.
“I am very happy and excited for the opportunity to be among the top five at such a prestigious show,” Natasha told us. “It has been an amazing experience and I can’t wait to come back. I am forever grateful to Jeff and Liz (Long) for the amazing time I have had. And thanks to the owners for trusting me to show their horse.”
Liz Long adds, “We have absolutely enjoyed having Natasha and Travis with us at the show and look forward to Natasha showing more horses with us in the future.”
GoHorseShow hopes Natasha enjoyed her time in the States and, hopefully, she’ll be back again next year in Columbus. We wish her a safe trip back home.
