Huntington, NY—January 3, 2002—The National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) and Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc. will co-host the first Inner Vision Championships for Blind and Visually Impaired Riders, July 9-13 in Huntington, NY. This first of its kind competition will bring together blind and visually impaired riders from around the world for championship dressage competition.

Approved and recognized by the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee, the international organization that governs equestrian sport for riders with disabilities, the Inner Vision Championships will feature individual championship and team events. The Championships will be held at Willow Tree Farm at Caumsett Historic State Park, in Huntington, NY, site of the first international competition for riders with disabilities in 1984.

“We are very excited to be able to host this unprecedented international competition for blind and visually-impaired riders,” said Denise I. Avolio, Chairman of the Organizing Committee. “We anticipate an impressive level of riding from these inspirational riders.”

The Championships will open with the veterinary inspection and draw for horses on Tuesday, July 9. There will be training sessions for competitors starting on Tuesday, July 9 and continuing through Thursday, July 11. There will be a warm-up competition on Friday, July 12 and the individual championship and musical freestyle classes will take place on Saturday, July 13.

Riders are expected from North and South America, Australia and Europe with each participating nation allowed no more than four riders.

Blind riders compete in the same arena as sighted riders, with the only allowance being that they may use electronic or “living” letters to help them in navigating their tests. The tests they ride are written specifically for riders with disabilities, and include movements equal to the USA Equestrian fourth level dressage tests. Musical freestyles are a compulsory part of the championship.

The National Disability Sports Alliance is recognized as the national governing body for equestrian sport for riders with disabilities. NDSA is responsible for the development and selection of riders for national championship and international competitions, including the Paralympic Games, and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders with physical disabilities.

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc. is a therapeutic riding program located in Huntington, NY that provides therapeutic, recreational and competitive horseback riding opportunities for people with physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities.

Both NDSA and Pal-O-Mine are 501(c)3 organizations. Donations and sponsorships are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities or other ways of supporting the Championships should contact Denise Avolio at (914) 949-8166 or diavolio@ndsaonline.org, or Lisa A. Gatti, Competition Manager, at (631) 427-6105 or info@pal-o-mine.org.