Gladstone, NJ – April 9, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Katie Dinan of New York, NY, has been selected as the 2012 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Dinan received the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 7, 2012, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The selection was based on Dinan’s competitive record and future potential to represent the United States in international competition. The award provides Dinan the opportunity to be credentialed and travel with the U.S. delegation to the 2012 FEI World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, from April 19 – April 22. She will observe the operations of an international championship, including the stabling area, veterinary inspections and schooling, and will walk the courses with the U.S. Show Jumping Coach, George H. Morris.
At just 18 years old, Dinan is already taking the grand prix circuit by storm looking like she will be at the top of the sport in no time. After winning the 2011 Individual Gold medal at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships aboard Vancouver last year, Dinan established herself at the grand prix level at the beginning of 2012. She proved that consistency is key, and with continued top placing at the biggest events at the Winter Equestrian Festival, she eventually took home the blue ribbon in the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix with Nougat du Vallet.
“Winning the Individual Gold medal at Young Riders meant a lot to me personally,” explained Dinan. “The competition tested my consistency and ability to ride under pressure, two things I have been working to improve. Also, winning the Horseware Ireland Grand Prix was a huge turning point. It was my first major victory among international competitors and gave me a lot of confidence going forward.”
Dinan will be a freshman at Harvard University in the fall of 2012, but she is using this “gap year” as an opportunity to focus solely on her riding with her Olympic trainer McLain Ward. She participated in the 2012 Olympic Selection Trials, and hopes to one day represent the United States internationally on a Nations Cup Team or by competing at the World Cup Finals.
“I feel very honored to be the 2012 recipient of the Maxine Beard Award,” expressed Dinan. “Representing the United States in international competition is a dream of mine, and it is thrilling to receive such a distinction from the USET.”
Dinan is excited to be traveling to the Netherlands with the U.S. Show Jumping delegation and added, “I am looking forward to the unique opportunity to spend time and walk the courses with George Morris throughout the competition, especially since this will be his last World Cup Finals as Chef d’Equipe. In addition, I think the trip will be a great chance to watch top riders work with their horses and prepare to compete for such a high level competition. I hope to make the most of this experience.”
Dinan is a very talented rider whose hard work and ambition will hopefully find her on a U.S. team in the years ahead.
Previous Recipients of the Maxine Beard Award:
2011 – Ali Wolff
2010 – Nick Dello Joio
2009 – Ashlee Bond and Michelle Spadone
2008 – Hillary Dobbs
2007 – Brianne Goutal
2006 – Charlie Jayne
2005 – Cayce Harrison
2004 – Georgina Bloomberg
2003 – Michael Morrissey and Paige Johnson
2002 – Molly Warmington
2001 – Kent Farrington and Richard Rinehart
2000 – Kate Levy and Marilyn Little
1999 – Kate Levy and Emily Williams
1998 – Jamie Schmidt and Heather Caristo
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.
Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com