Show jumper Katherine “Katie” Dinan won her first five-star grand prix last fall with Brego R’N B. It was the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W at the Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

Of the 24 horses and riders in the grand prix, eight went clear and returned to the eight-fence jump-off (see course below). In the shortened course, Dinan and Brego, a 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, jumped clear in 33.5 seconds, ahead of Germany’s Rene Dittmer and Corsica X, who placed second with a time of 34.4 seconds. After the competition, Dinan shared some insights that helped put her in a winning mindset during the jump-off.

Q: Tell us about Brego.

A: It’s hard not to love Brego. He’s a super horse. We’ve been together for a little over five years. [The WIHS CSI-W 5*] was our first five-star grand prix win together. He’s 17, and he really deserved it. In the jump-off, he showed all of his amazing qualities. He’s got huge scope, quality, bravery, intelligence, he tries hard. As a rider, you can’t really ask for more from a horse. I think he knew he won.

Q: Can you share what was going through your mind during the jump-off?

A: I had gone over the jump-off course with my coach, Beat Mändli [Suisse Olympic silver medalist]. We watched Rene, who had an amazing week and was so fast in the jump-off. 

Beat said, “OK, you can’t really waste any time. If you want to win, you have to do everything. Don’t get stressed at the first three jump-off fences. Then really try to take the first one you see at the blue on the angle [jump-off fence 4]. Keep moving, don’t worry about what [distance] shows up. As soon as you start to think about setting up, you’re going to be too slow.”

The very forward one showed up at the double [jump-off fences 7AB], but I thought, ‘If not now, when?’

Then I was lucky, a good distance showed up to the last line [jump-off fences 14 and 5]. I kept on moving, and there was a lot of noise from the crowd, and I saw my distance. I thought, ‘This is a lot more forward than it’s supposed to be.’ Brego sprouted wings, and it was a good ending. I wish I could tell you it was perfectly executed, but it was more hats off to my horse. 

Q: You’ve been working on those kind of jump-off turns and going faster. Can you just tell us about that process?

A: I realized that Brego was a really fast horse, and if I wasn’t going fast in the jump-off, it was because of me. So I had to work on that and find a way—even if he’s not your classic small, catlike horse that can just run around—to be smarter and better as a rider and let all of his best qualities shine. 

I really have been pushing myself to try to win these classes and take the risk. Even if something happens—I have one [rail] down or I make a mistake trying to go fast—I’m trying to have higher expectations and know that my horse can do it. I’m not always just waiting for the big class to try to win the jump-off but working on my speed as a rider when I can. Obviously when it pays off like this, I’m ecstatic.

Q: How do you manage Brego at this point in his career while keeping him fresh and jumping so well?

A: I try to not show him too much and make the most of it when I do. Before Washington [late October], he had jumped only a handful of grands prix in the summer and fall. The last grand prix we jumped was at the Hampton Classic Horse Show in the [late summer]. … I’m picking and choosing my classes with Brego.

Q: Can you describe his personality?

A: He needs to warm up to you a little, but when he does, he is really sweet and affectionate. Sometimes he’ll stand in the back of his stall and I think he’s meditating. He doesn’t want to be disturbed. Consistency for him makes the difference. When you ride him, he’s similar. He really likes to take care of his rider and do the right thing. What does surprise people is that he’s very alert, and he’s got a lot of energy. He is very attentive to everything around him. Even though he’s so good and kind, you always need to be paying attention.

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