Zone 10 Member Spotlight: Natalie Dean

Natalie (Willow Tree Farm, trainer) earned multiple ribbons at HITS Coachella Week III with her horses Chacco’s Goldy (pictured), Don’s Diamant, and Mary Poppins. Photo by Hannah Dyson.

USHJA Zone 10’s Natalie Dean has started the year off with a bang, earning top ribbons at HITS Coachella with her horses: Mary Poppins, Chacco’s Goldy, and Don’s Diamant.

“The first half of Thermal has been incredible,” she shared. “My horses have been jumping super. They all feel very fresh and excited to be back in the ring again. It’s nice to get more grand prix experience here since I am very new to that level.” 

Though she just recently stepped up to this bigger level, Natalie has already had success in the show ring. She won the inaugural $30,000 SmartPak Gambler’s Choice aboard Don’s Diamant and took home second place ribbons in both the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and the $70,000 HITS Grand Prix. In addition, Natalie and Mary Poppins have topped the $5,000 1.35m Jumper Classic at three of the first four weeks of HITS Coachella.

Natalie credits her three horses and trainers for her accomplishments. 

“I really trust my horses and my trainer, Butch Thomas and Willow Tree,” Natalie said. “Butch knows how to make a plan that will work for me and my horses. I got Mary Poppins three years ago, and she’s taken me from the 1.00m to the 1.40m jumpers. Chacco’s Goldy has given me a lot of confidence as well moving up the levels. Meanwhile, Don’s Diamant is so careful and brave. I just started doing the grand prix classes with Don, and, so far, he has placed in every grand prix. I am very lucky to be able to ride such wonderful horses!”

For 2019, Natalie hopes to continue her growth as a horsewoman. 

“This year, I want to focus on getting more miles in the grands prix and bigger jumper classes,” she added. “I would also love to go back to Young Riders again this summer to represent Zone 10.”