Category Archives: Para-Equestrian

Dressage, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

2012 Paralympic Games Registration

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United States Para-Equestrian Team in Saugerties, NY September 2011. Photo by: Lindsay Y McCall

Lexington, KY – U.S. Athletes wishing to be considered to compete at the 2012 Paralympic Games must complete their 2012 Paralympic Games Registration. Registration must be completed online by April 1, 2012.

In order to receive registration information all interested individuals should email Laureen Johnson at lkjohnson@usef.org the following information:

1. Name as it appears on Passport

2. Email Address

To learn more about the 2012 Paralympic Games Online Registration visit; http://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/MemotoAllPotential2012ParalympicAthletes.pdf.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Para-Equestrians Perform Energizing Freestyles on Final Day of 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*

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Lynne Poole (CAN Grade IV) and Frisbee. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Del Mar, CA – March 12, 2012 – Para-Equestrian Dressage riders concluded the 2012 Rancho Valencia CPEDI3* on Sunday performing their Freestyle routines. With the pressure of earning a qualifying score for the 2012 London Paralympics Selection Trials behind them, riders were able to relax and enjoy their final competition day at the Del Mar Horse Park. Topping the Grade IV Freestyle competition was Lynne Poole (CAN) and her Welsh Cob Frisbee with a 66.167%. In Grade III Briana Beckworth (USA) and Basquewille captured their division title. Earning the blue in Grade II, with a 64% was Ann Arbor resident Sydney Collier (USA) and VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof. In Grade Ia, Laura Goldman (USA) took the win with Morgan Webb-Liddle (AUS) following for second just behind Goldman. Ten horse and rider combinations successfully finished the weekend under FEI Judges Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5*.

As always, Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire and Keenan Productions created a superb awards ceremony for the showcase of champions. Honored for her multiple wins over the weekend was Canadian Lynne Poole. The Grade IV rider took a chance at transporting her two horses to Del Mar and her efforts were rewarded. Poole earned the top placing in both the Individual and Team competition aboard Vasco E on Thursday and Friday. Not to be outdone was the dependable Welsh Cob, Frisbee, who topped the freestyle Grade IV division with Poole. She commented, “I have always loved the freestyles, they are the most wonderful thing ever invented. I was so proud of him once the music began. We knew our music very well, and he was a very good boy. Vasco E had a great weekend as well but he became a little tired on Sunday.”

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Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian, Training/Clinics

Mette Rosencrantz Conducts Outstanding Clinic for Para-Equestrians

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Holly Bergay aboard Rubino Bellissimo with Mette Rosencrantz. Photos © Lindsay Y McCall

Del Mar, CA – March 13, 2012 – As the Del Mar Horse Park began to clear of flower boxes and white arena borders, Para-Equestrian Dressage riders prepared for a hands-on clinic with Mette Rosencrantz. Each rider was given 45 minutes with Mette allowing a large amount of time to work on short-term and long-term goals. During each session riders demonstrated specific parts of their tests that they performed during the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*. With only three months until the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials Mette gave insight on what types of goals an athlete should start to focus on.

Clinic duos included: Holly Bergay and Rubino Bellissimo (owned by Violet Jen); Mary Jordan and the Knabbstrupper Stallion VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof (owners Patrick and Diane Truxillo); Sydney Collier and VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof; Laura Goldman and VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-Hof; Barbara Adside and 1999 Pan Am Gold Medal Winner, Jazzman (owned by Donna Richardson); Allyson Gagnon with her Fresian Stallion Kobi; and Iana Gonzalez and Kobi.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Para-Dressage Riders Impress Judges at 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*

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Laura Goldman (USA) and VPRH Pegasus vom Nieh-HOF. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Del Mar, CA – March 10, 2012 – Day two of the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* at the Del Mar Horse Park concluded with impressive results from the Para-Dressage competition. Multiple horse and rider combinations built upon yesterday’s scores earning top results under FEI ground jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5*. Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games participant Laura Goldman (USA) topped Grade Ia with a 64.250% aboard the Knabbstrupper stallion, VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-HOF. Sydney Collier (USA) of Ann Arbor, Michigan shared the Knabbstrupper with Goldman and earned the top spot in the Grade II competition. In Grade III, Briana Beckworth (USA) rode Mette Rosencrantz’s Basquewille increasing Friday’s score to 63.056%. Lastly, Canadian Lynne Poole led the Grade IV competition with a 64.032% aboard Vasco E.

Earning the highest score on Friday of the Para-Equestrians was Laura Goldman aboard Patrick Truxillo’s Stallion VPRH Pegasus vom Niehaus-HOF. “Pegasus is such a great horse,” smiled Goldman. “Friday was the first day that I rode the Individual Championship Test aboard him and he was great.  Pegasus maintained a smooth gate throughout the test, he was always responsive to my cues, and I really appreciated his perfect head carriage. I feel lucky to be able to ride this type of horse.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Para-Dressage Riders Launch into Competition at Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*

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Holly Bergay (USA) and Rubino Bellissimo. Photo © 2012 Lindsay Y McCall

Del Mar, CA – March 8, 2012 – Kicking off the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire Thursday morning were the Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders. Eleven horse and rider combinations entered the ring to showcase their Team Tests in front of FEI Ground Jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5* (SWE). After traveling from Wellington, Florida in January, to Toronto, Canada, and then on to the Del Mar Horse Park, Canadian Lynne Poole’s efforts paid off in the Grade IV competition. United States Para-Equestrians Holly Bergay, Barbara Adside, Mary Jordan and Briana Beckworth each earned their qualifying scores for the 2012 USEF London Paralympic Selection Trials.

In 2010, Grade IV rider Holly Bergay of Castle Rock, CO qualified for the United States Para-Equestrian Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  Unfortunately Holly and her horse, Grand Ballerina, would have to withdraw eventually leading to the horse’s future retirement. “It was heartbreaking,” noted Bergay, “After my horse was retired I wanted to take some time off.  My situation lasted one month due to my appreciation and love for riding.”

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Global Dressage Festival National Challenge Wrap-Up and Upcoming Events

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Global Dressage Festival National Challenge Wrap-Up

Alix Szepesi and William. Photo: www.susanjstickle.com

Wellington, FL – March 8, 2012 – Alix Szepesi of Hamilton, MA took top honors on Tuesday, March 6, the first day of the Global Dressage Festival National Challenge.  Szepesi, who is currently based in Wellington, rode William to an outstanding score 77.432% in the USEF First Level Test 2-Open at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival (GDF).  Susanne Dutt-Roth of Canada also scored well earning 77.000% in the USEF Fourth Level Test 1-Open riding D2.  The GDF National Challenge was only the second show for the eight-year-old warmblood.

The Global Dressage Festival also welcomed their first Para-Equestrian competitor, Jody Schloss, 39, of Toronto, Canada.  Schloss scored impressively in both of her classes on Tuesday riding Inspector Rebus.  The pair received 74.118% in the FEI Para Test of Choice and 75.500% in the FEI Para Freestyle Test of Choice.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

Jody Schloss Captures Highest Score at Global Dressage Festival National Challenge

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Jody Schloss and Inspector Rebus

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2012 – Jody Schloss, 39, of Toronto, Canada had another banner day at the Global Dressage Festival National Challenge on Wednesday.  The Para-Equestrian rider received the highest score on Inspector Rebus receiving 72.500% in the FEI Para Test of Choice class at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival (GDF).

Schloss rode her first horse at 11 years of age.  She left the sport for a while, but then returned to riding as part of her therapy following her injury in 1996.  She has only been competing on “Rebus” for one year and is classified to ride in the Grade 1A level, which is for the Para-Dressage rider with the most significant level of impairment.  She trains with Jessica Rhinelander while wintering in Wellington.  Schloss’ mom, Gail, who was on hand to watch her daughter compete, said that Jody really enjoyed the show.

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Associations/Breeds, Breeds, Community/Charity, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Hunter/Equitation, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting

Announcing 2012 High School Equestrian Athlete Grants

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Lexington, KY – In 2012 the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will offer more than $20,000 in grant money to qualified students and high school equestrian clubs or teams across the nation through its High School Equestrian Athlete program.

To be eligible for a grant an applicant must be a current USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program participant and have successfully completed at least one year of the program. The applicant must also be a member of at least one USEF Recognized Breed/Discipline Affiliate or International Affiliate Association. (See below for a list of affiliate organizations). A subcommittee of the National Affiliate Working Group will select one applicant from each Recognized Breed/Discipline Affiliate or International Affiliate Association to receive a $1,000 grant to be used for academic or equestrian educational pursuits.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

200 Days to Go to London 2012 Paralympic Games

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Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup, pictured here preparing for the Freestyle Grade Ib competition at the FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships 2011, which she went on to win aged just 17. Photo: Liz Gregg.

Lausanne (SUI), 10 February 2012 – The London 2012 Paralympic Games look set to take Paralympic Equestrian into the history books for many reasons, as we get one step closer on the eve of the 200-day countdown (11 February).

Sales of Paralympic Equestrian tickets for London 2012 have already broken records.

More than 40,000 tickets were sold before Christmas last year, dramatically overtaking the previous record of 33,000 for the 2008 Paralympic Equestrian events held in Hong Kong.

Mexico will also be making its Paralympic Equestrian début on 30 August – 4 September in Greenwich Park represented by a team of four riders, and Ireland will be competing for the very first time as a Paralympic Equestrian Team.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Para-Equestrian, Wellington Classic Dressage

Florida Dressage Season Kicks Off with an International Flair at CDI Competitions

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Steffen Peters and Ravel during the awards ceremony following the 2012 World Dressage Masters Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle, which they won with a score of 83.70%. (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)

Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Thanks to the efforts of the show management team from the Gold Coast Dressage Association and the Wellington Dressage Classic Association, the 2012 Dressage season kicked off with three amazing CDI events in January and 2 Paralympic Qualifiers. With world-class dressage riders providing an air of European competition, the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Opener CDI W/CDEDI3* January 19-22, 2012, the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*/CPEDI3* January 25-29, 2012 and the 2012 Palm Beach leg of the prestigious World Dressage Masters presented by the Axel Johnson Group set the tone for a fantastic Wellington dressage season.

Wellington Classic Dressage once again hosted the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach with International Polo Club as Presenting Sponsor.  The Masters proved to be a record setting event for the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, with dressage star Steffen Peters setting the dressage ring on fire with record breaking scores, while the number of spectators also proved to be at an all-time high. “This year’s Masters was one for the record books,” said John Flanagan of Wellington Classic Dressage, Gold Coast Dressage, International Horse Sport, and one of the organizers of the WDM Palm Beach. “The competition was amazing and a record number of people were able to watch this event live, which is a great testament to the strength of our sport in South Florida and the United States.”

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