Articles: Horse News
Hart Scores Fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship Title in Hard
Fought Battle
Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger (SusanJStickle.com)
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2012
From the USEF Communications Department
Gladstone, NJ- The 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships held in
conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection
Trials came down to the slimmest of margins this afternoon as riders
performed their Freestyle tests at the Pine Meadow location of the USET
Foundation. Heading to the final test of the championships only a few marks
separated the top three riders and the remaining 20% of the final score
would be determined Wednesday. Rebecca Hart, Jonathan Wentz and Donna
Ponessa all produced their highest scores of the competition in the
Freestyle and less than a half of a percentage point would separate them in
the final standings.
Hart (Unionville, PA) produced the highest score of the National
Championship, a 75.917%, to claim her fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian
Championship title. The 26-year-old performed an extremely polished and
stylish Grade II Freestyle with Jessica Ransehousen's veteran Lord Ludger
accented by a high degree of difficulty.
Hart has spent the last year getting to know the Holsteiner gelding and
believes that their enhanced partnership paid dividends this week.
"He has really become my horse, which is a really special feeling because
he's so talented and so caring, that I really, really enjoy him not only as
a horse but as a partner out there in the ring," Said Hart. "I feel now that
he is finally looking to me, whereas before he would do what I asked but not
really do it for me. And now he is really in there for me and doing it with
me. That's nice to have the progression from being a little intimidated to
now doing it together."
Heading into Wednesday's final test, Hart felt the pressure as there was no
breathing room between the top three.
"It was close, so it [the pressure] was pretty high and it's not over till
it's over."
Hart is now poised to represent the U.S. at her second consecutive
Paralympic Games after topping the Selection Trials. However, she is not
going to get overly excited until she is actually in competition.
"It feels good kind of a weight of the shoulders. But I'm going to hold off
until we're actually trotting down centerline in London."
The 2011 USEF National Para-Equestrian Champions, Jonathan Wentz and NTEC
Richter Scale, settled for Reserve honors after scoring 74.833% in the
Freestyle. Wentz (Richardson, TX) demonstrated an elaborate Freestyle
utilizing Irish music to compliment Kai Handt's Shire cross gelding's gaits.
The Grade 1b competitor has been riding NTEC Richter Scale for more than
three years and couldn't be more proud of his longtime partner.
"I'm very excited that Richter has carried me this far, I never would have
imagined it three years ago, when Kai found him. He has really stepped up to
the plate with everything I've thrown at him; he just delivers what I ask."
Finishing in third place was Grade 1a competitor Ponessa and Wesley Dunham's
Western Rose. The pair scored 73.833% in their Freestyle by way of a high
degree of difficulty. The pair demonstrated beautiful trot movements, which
are not required but rewarded in Grade 1a.
"Because Rosie is just really round; her trot is very floaty and very easy
to sit. It keeps her from getting bored and just adds a little zing to the
test. The freestyle is supposed be fun and inventive so that's why we
figured let's add some trot."
Grade II rider, Sydney Collier was the sole competitor contesting only the
National Championship, as at 14-years-old she does not meet the minimum age
requirement to compete in London. Riding in her first USEF National
Para-Equestrian Championship she impressed many with her imaginative
Freestyle riding Kristi and Sue Niblo's Otto to a 63%.
Hart, Wentz and Ponessa were all winners of the Freestyles in their
respective Grades. In Grade III competition Wendy Fryke won her third test
of the week with her own and Michael Fryke's Lateran, they scored 69.75%
today. Mary Jordan and Deecie Denison's Sebastian swept all Grade IV tests
and rode to a 69.833% in the Freestyle.
For results, photos and news visit;
http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2012USEFDressageFestivalofChampions/
Follow the U.S. Para-Equestrian Team at
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2012Para-Equestrian/
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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