Natalie Dean will represent the United States at the FEI Jumping World Championships in Aachen, Germany, starting August 19, after a last-minute call-up put the 27-year-old Palo Alto native on the sport's biggest stage.

Dean and her 12-year-old horse Mr Boombastic were named to the U.S. Jumping Team after veteran rider Marilyn Little and her horse La Contessa withdrew due to injury, according to the Chronicle of the Horse and US Equestrian's official announcement. The substitution places Dean among the country's top show jumpers at one of the sport's most prestigious venues.

It's not Dean's first time at Aachen. In 2024, she rode for the U.S. team at CHIO Aachen with her horse Acota M, competing in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. That same year, Dean and Acota M were selected to the U.S. Jumping Team Olympic Short List for the Paris Games.

Dean, born March 25, 1999, grew up in Palo Alto and started riding under trainer Jennifer Kallam, who introduced her to the Portola Valley Pony Club, according to Sidelines Magazine. She competed at three FEI North American Youth Championships between 2017 and 2019, collecting team bronze, two team silvers, and an individual bronze medal. In 2019, Dean and Don's Diamant earned gold at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final in Opglabbeek, Belgium.

Her senior international career began in 2021 at the Spruce Meadows BMO Nations Cup in Calgary, where she helped the U.S. team to a second-place finish aboard Chance Ste Hermelle. Dean has been named to U.S. teams for events in Abu Dhabi, Ocala, Rome, Wellington, and La Baule during the 2025 and 2026 seasons, according to her US Equestrian Federation athlete profile.

The full U.S. roster for the World Championships beyond Dean has not been publicly confirmed.

It will be her first World Championship appearance.