74 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Rebecca Walton
Eighteen year old Katie Dinan, of New York, took the 2012
Winter Equestrian Festival circuit by storm, landing the money
ride after ride. She was also victorious in the $50,000 Horseware
Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix and successfully competed in the 2012
U.S. Show Jumping Selection Trials with Nougat Du Vallet. With
so much talk of the rising talent in the United States, Katie is
certainly proving that she will be at the top of the sport in no time
at all. It was no surprise during this year’s $200,000 Gene Mische
American Invitational to see Katie chosen by the United States
Equestrian Team Foundation as the winner of the Maxine Beard
Show Jumping Rider Award. The selection was based on Katie’s
competitive record and future potential to represent the United
States in international competition. The award provided Katie
with the amazing opportunity to travel with the U.S. delegation
to the 2012 FEI World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the
Netherlands.
How does it feel to win the 2012 Maxine Beard Award?
I feel very honored to be the 2012 recipient of the Maxine
Beard Award. Representing the United States in international
competition is a dream of mine and it is thrilling to receive such a
distinction from the USET.
You’ve had so many great wins, which one meant the most
to you personally?
Winning the individual gold medal at Young Riders meant a
lot to me personally. Medaling at Young Riders was one of my
main goals in 2011. The competition tested my consistency and
ability to ride under pressure, two things I have been working to
improve. It was so rewarding to accomplish these goals and it
was a defning moment for me and Vancouver as a team. Also,
winning the Horseware Ireland Grand Prix at WEF 3 this year on
Nougat du Vallet was a huge turning point. It was my frst major
victory among international competitors and gave me a lot of
confdence going forward.
McLain Ward is one of the top riders in the world, what is
biggest thing that you have learned from him?
McLain has taught me an innumerable amount over the last
year. One major element he emphasizes is the importance of
fundamentals, whether it is basic exercises through gymnastics
for the horses at home, or working on the basics of my riding and
position. I have learned that the core fundamentals become more
important as one progresses to higher levels of the sport and that
it is very important not to lose sight of this. Another major thing I
have learned is how to deal with the mental element of the sport.
There will always be ups and downs and it is necessary to believe
in what you are doing, learn from, but not dwell on past mistakes,
and just focus on your overall progress.
You will be starting college in the fall, how will you juggle
school and riding?
I will be a freshman at Harvard University this fall. I am in the
middle of a “gap year” right now, which I have used to solely focus
on riding and competing. I think that I will focus on school this
fall, showing at a few of the year-end indoors and hope to work my
schedule so that I will be able to go back and forth and compete at
enough weekends of WEF next year.
Katie at the Winter Equestrian Festival
Photo by Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com
What is some advice you would give to young riders starting
to come up through the ranks?
First, practice as much as you can. There is no substitute
for time in the saddle. I fat without stirrups everyday and take
my lessons really seriously. Second, you can learn a lot from
watching professionals ride. When I am not competing, I try to
walk the courses of grand prix classes before watching to give
myself a better understanding of the course. It is particularly
helpful if you can watch horses that go like yours and see how
they tackle the hard parts of the course. Third, I have learned that
no matter how hard you work, there are going to be frustrating
days and that this is a sport of ups and downs. It is important
to try to maintain perspective and keep looking forward. Lastly,
remember that this is a team sport because behind every horse
and rider in the ring is a team of people who help get you there.
There is so much to be learned from the team at the barn and it is
so important to be thankful for all their hard work.
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