Press release from Wellington International 

The CHF37,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty CSI4* 1.45m Speed took center stage Friday morning on the Equestrian Village derby field during WEF 5. Athletes representing 12 international flags came together to contest Anderson Lima’s (BRA) precisely designed speed track. The pair that could not be caught was Natalie Dean (USA) and her quick-footed mare Dotcom d’Authuit, a 2013 Selle Français (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel), owned by Marigold Sporthorses.

Dean, 23, clocked in at 57.46 seconds and bumped current leader Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) riding the Gochman Sport Horse owned Wonder If to second. Derbyshire and Wonder If stopped the clock at 59.51 seconds, while third place went to Daniel Coyle (IRL) and his nine-year-old mare Langley, owned by Ariel Grange, with a final time of 59.70 seconds.

Dean was beaming after her winning round and could not have been happier with her mare’s enormous efforts. “She’s an amazing horse. She’s been off to a good start this season and she just loves this field,” said Dean after earning top placings in the Hermès Under 25 division on the derby field during WEF 2, including a victory with Dotcom d’Authuit during the WEF 2 welcome and second in the grand prix.

“I went pretty late in the class which was nice, and I knew they were going fast, but I tried to give it my all,” continued Dean. “I knew I could do eight strides from two to three where a lot of people were doing nine, and then I used her naturally quick foot speed to make it smooth. It worked out today."

Dean and Dotcom’s relationship shined through on the grass field and tremendous trust in one another was obvious. “I’ve had her for two and a half years; I got her as a seven-year-old, now she’s ten so she’s really reliable and I know I can run and she’ll be careful and fast. She’s a joy to ride.”