Articles: Horse News
The United States Para-Dressage Riders Earn Top Honors at WindReach
International Para-Dressage CPEDI 3*
Contact:
Lindsay McCall for
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Thousand Oaks, CA-June 2, 2010-This year is the most exciting calendar year
for the United States Para-Equestrian Team in history. It will be the first
time ever that the Para-Dressage team will compete with all of the
equestrian disciplines at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG)
in Lexington, KY. The hopeful WEG riders first stop this summer was May
28-30, 2010, in Ashburn, Ontario, Canada. While in Canada riders earned top
scores for their performances including the Silver Medal for the United
States. Riders used this show as their last big qualifier for the 2010
World Equestrian Games Selection Trials scheduled for June 24-27, 2010 held
at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois.
The Para-Equestrian's journey to Ashburn, Ontario, Canada was to compete at
the WindReach International Para-Dressage CPEDI3* and WindReach EC Gold
Para-Dressage Competition. This FEI event was an official qualifier for
WEG.
The WindReach International Para-Dressage CPEDI3 show took place at
WindReach Farm. The farm was designed by Paralympian rider Alexander (Sandy)
J. Mitchell. The entire facility was designed to meet the needs of
individuals with different abilities and is equipped with wheelchair
accessible pathways. WindReach Farm is also a member centre for the
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA), and the Ontario
Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA). The United States Para-Equestrians
felt honored to compete at such a spectacular facility alongside many other
international Para-Dressage riders.
This competition was the largest Para-Equestrian competition in North
America. There were riders from all over the world including United States,
Canada, China, Bermuda, Japan, and Australia. Mary Jordan, a Grade IV
Para-Dressage rider used this competition as a practice before the selection
trials at the end of June. Jordan rides Paxton Abbey who is a horse she has
bred, raised, and trained as an international dressage horse.
Jordan commented, "After a long winter of training I wanted the opportunity
to be in front of international judges and competitors to be tested in the
best way possible on an international stage. That was my goal. I already had
my scores in hand so I wanted to be tested. The motivation for me was to
come back in the international atmosphere and really step up my game and be
as competitive as possible.
After a short break, riders will make their way to Lamplight Equestrian
Center in Wayne, IL, for the WEG selection trials. Currently, 15 United
States Para-Dressage riders have scores that will allow them to compete at
the selection trials. Out of those 15, ten of the riders will be selected
for WEG. Out of the ten riders, four will make the team, and six will ride
as individuals.
For Jordan, this journey has been incredible on two levels. She noted, "Like
any other equestrian out there you dream to one day ride for your country
and there are no guarantees in the process you just have to work really hard
and always seek to improve. Second, it is always a journey as a
Para-Equestrian. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis eight years ago.
I thought I would spend my life in a wheelchair but with advancements in
medicine and my own strength I have had the opportunity to compete as a
Para-Dressage rider. I only hope I can take a step further to earn one of
the spots on the United States Para-Dressage team at the World Equestrian
Games."
Once the selection trials occur, the Para-Dressage riders will take a few
months to train and rest before traveling to Lexington, Kentucky for the
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Para-Dressage competitions
will take place in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park starting on
October 5, 2010, and ending October 8, 2010. Starting on October 5, 2010,
the Individual Team Tests are scheduled, and riders will compete with their
horses for four days, ending with Individual Freestyle Tests on October 5,
2010.
About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:
The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes
with physical disabilities. Each rider or driver competes under the eight
Para-Equestrian disciplines of the National Organization. This year, at the
2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Para-Dressage discipline will
make history competing under the eighth discipline of the USEF. The USEF
High Performance Para- Dressage team will compete as an FEI sport for the
first time at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington,
KY.
The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for
athletes with physical disabilities. Riders compete under the USEF rules
during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest
level of their sport.
For more information about the USPEA or for donation opportunities, please
contact Hope Hand, President of the USPEA, email Wheeler966@aol.comor by
phone: (610)356-6481.
To view online information about the USPEA please visit
http://www.USPEA.org.
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