Wellington, FL – January 21, 2012 – Consistency continues for para-equestrian dressage riders at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Saturday was the Individual Test competition and the second day to earn an individual qualifying score for the 2012 Paralympics. Para-Equestrians from Canada, Ireland, Finland, Japan, Mexico, Bermuda, and the United Sates challenged each other and themselves in front of international judges Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL). Multiple riders achieved their qualifying scores above the 60% mark including a brand new para-equestrian dressage rider from the United States.
In Grade Ia Jody Schloss of Canada and Inspector Rebus maintained her lead from the Team Test with a 70.583% on Saturday’s Individual Test. Just behind Jody was the Fresian stallion Niekele fan Busenitz with Laurietta Oakleaf in the irons scoring a 65.083%. Laurietta moved from a Grade II to a grade Ia this week based on her classification evaluation. Laurietta explained, “I am happy that I was revaluated this week to a Ia however; I only had 24 hours to learn the new tests for this weekend. The change has made me less tired and I have regained my confidence.” For Laurietta her goals may be a little easier to achieve now with recent sponsors Ohio Horseman’s Council and Nutrena who have stepped up to make her goals achievable. Following Laurietta for the third position in Grade Ia was Kim Decker aboard Dasher’s Destiny from the United States, Bermuda rider Alexander Mitchell aboard Guiness Maskell, and Japan rider Mina Chinju on NTEC Manchada who earned her qualifying score in the Individual Test competition rounded out Grade Ia.
After achieving a top score on NTEC Jabriel on Thursday, United States Grade Ib rider Jonathan Wentz captured the blue aboard NTEC Richter Scale with a 69.275%. “Richter was awesome,” expressed Jonathan. “I was hit hard during the first day of competition due to a lack of energy in my test. So I went flat out during the Individual Test and it paid off. In the Freestyle Test I plan on throttling it back a little bit and creating more impulsion with forward movement.”
He continued, “My other ride, NTEC Jabriel, is a completely different horse from Richter. Richter takes all of my energy and NTEC Jabriel could fly forward in an instant. He requires absolute precision to keep him on the vertical and supple. I am looking forward to competing with both horses next week and I hope to break the 70% mark all three days.”
Just on the heels of Jonathan was Canada rider Ashley Gowanlock with new mount Ferdonia 2. In 2011, fellow teammate and owner of Ferdonia 2, Lauren Barwick was riding Ferdonia 2 but the mount seemed perfect for Ashley who has graciously accepted the excellent Oldenburg for 2012 competition.
Lauren Barwick continues with her chestnut mare dominating Grade II for two days. The pair achieved consistent scores above 70% with a 70.159% in the Team Test competition and a 71.667% in the Individual Test. As a Team Canada member Lauren continues to contribute to Canada’s lead in the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3*. However, USA Grade II rider Dr. Dale Dedrick and her Hanoverian Bonifatius followed for second and are definitely a duo to watch out for. In third for Grade II were 2008 Paralympian Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen. Rebecca brought two mounts to Florida in hopes of gaining more mileage, earning top scores for the team, and to sharpen her relationship and communication with both horses. Rebecca explained, “Both horses are relatively new mounts this year. I have been very proud of Lord Ludger this weekend and I am especially pleased with Hugh Knows. We have been working on adjusting from the leg cue to utilizing the whip as the cue and Hugh has been great. He was a little tense in the Individual Test so I think we just need a little more mileage to increase our communication.”
Hugh Knows, owned by Jacqueline Mars, began as an eventer with Karen O’Connor. From Karen to junior Jess Brumfield Hugh has consistently achieved excellent scores. With his new job as Rebecca Hart’s mount Rebecca has been working to attain top results and consistency over the next two weeks.
She continued, “I feel very lucky to be able to work with these newer horses under our team coach who is also my personal coach, Missy Ransehousen. We have a really good relationship where we can bounce things off each other to figure out what is going to get the best results. I also feel lucky to have such a support system because without them I could not do this. I am very thankful to Jessica (Ransehousen) who owns Lord Ludger, Jacqueline Mars, and everyone who believes in our discipline.”
Grade II continued with Mexico rider Fernanda Otheguy in fifth aboard Katherine Butler’s Welsh pony, It’s Mister Merlot. Behind Fernanda was new Grade II rider, Margaret McIntosh and Idalgo, owned by Janis Smith. As a brand new para-equestrian Margaret had a wonderful test earning her a qualifying score for the 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. Elizabeth Pigott and Whitney’s Willow fell in behind Margaret. Elizabeth noted, “I just started riding this horse in May and I am working on getting to know my horse more and building a relationship so he trusts me more. In the short time he has come a very long way.” Rounding out the Grade II competition were Charlotte Bathlon and Sportsfield Twist.
In Grade III Eleanor Brimmer captured the blue with her 12 year old Holsteiner gelding, Carino H. Eleanor imported Carino H in summer 2011 and within a short time period they are continuing to improve their performances at each show.
Finishing the CPEDI3* were the Grade IV para-equestrian dressage riders. James Dwyer and Orlando from Ireland once again secured the top placing with a 70.753%. Behind James was Mary Jordan with her home-bred mare P. Sparrow Socks.
With consistent test results in each of the five grades, riders enter into Sunday’s Freestyle competition at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3*. Following the Freestyle competition will be the presentation of awards.
January 21, 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* Wellington, FL
Judges: Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL)
Results: Placing, Name, Name of Horse, Total Score
Grade 1a
1. Jody Schloss, Inspector Rebus, 70.583 (CAN)
2. Laurietta Oakleaf, Niekele fan Busenitz, 65.083 (USA)
3. Kim Decker, Dasher’s Destiny, 63.833 (USA)
4. Alexander Mitchell, Guiness Maskell, 62.917 (BER)
5. NTEC Manchada, Mina Chinju 60.833 (JPN)
6. Robyn Andrews, Ravallo Son, 59.000 (CAN)
7. Robyn Andrews, Fancianna, 56.000 (CAN)
Grade 1b
1. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Richter Scale, 69.275 (USA)
2. Ashley Gownlock, Fredonia 2, 68.986 (CAN)
3. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Jabriel, 68.551 (USA)
4. Katja Karjalainen, Hidden Creek Jones, 64.783 (FIN)
5. Jaana Kivimaki, Sarona, 61.232 (FIN)
Grade II
1. Lauren Barwick, Off to Paris, 70.159 (CAN)
2. Dale Dedrick, Bonifatius, 67.381 (USA)
3. Rebecca Hart, Lord Ludger, 66.349 (USA)
4. Fernanda Otheguy, It’s Mr. Mister Merlot, 64.683 (MEX)
5. Rebecca Hart, Hugh Knows, 62.619 (USA)
6. Margret McIntosh, Idalgo, 62.063 (USA)
7. Elizabeth Pigott, Whitney’s Willow, 61.508 (USA)
8. Charlotte Bathlon, Sportsfield Twist, 58.730 (USA)
Grade III
1. Eleanor Brimmer, Carino H, 59.556 (USA)
Grade IV
1. James Dwyer, Orlando, 70.753 (IRE)
2. Mary Jordan, P Sparrow Socks, 64.624 (USA)
3. Lynne Pool, Vasco E, 64.086 (CAN)
4. Lynee Pool, Fisbee, 63.925 (CAN)
5. Madison Lawson, McGuire, 63.925 (CAN)
6. Mary Jordan, Sebastian, 62.742 (USA)
January 19, 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* Wellington, FL
Judges: Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL)
Results: Placing, Name, Name of Horse, Total Score
Grade 1a
1. Jody Schloss, Inspector Rebus, 67.157 (CAN)
2. Laurietta Oakleaf, Niekele fan Busenitz, 63.529 (USA)
3. Robyn Andrews, Fancianna, 62.745 (CAN)
4. Kim Decker, Dasher’s Destiny, 62.157 (USA)
5. Alexander Mitchell, Guiness Maskell, 61.863 (BER)
6. Robyn Andrews, Ravallo Son, 61.471 (CAN)
7. NTEC Manchada, Mina Chinju 56.275 (JPN)
Grade 1a
1. Ashley Gownlock, Fredonia 2, 70.985 (CAN)
2. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Jabriel, 69.381 (USA)
3. Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Richter Scale, 66.212 (USA)
4. Jaana Kivimaki, Sarona, 63.636 (FIN)
5. Katja Karjalainen, Hidden Creek Jones, 63.409 (FIN)
Grade II
1. Lauren Barwick, Off to Paris, 71.667 (CAN)
2. Dale Dedrick, Bonifatius, 69.318 (USA)
3. Rebecca Hart, Lord Ludger, 69.048 (USA)
4. Rebecca Hart, Hugh Knows, 65.714 (USA)
5. Fernanda Otheguy, It’s Mister Merlot, 64.921 (MEX)
6. Elizabeth Pigott, Whitney’s Willow, 63.651 (USA)
7. Margret McIntosh, Idalgo, 61.905 (USA)
8. Charlotte Bathlon, Sportsfield Twist, 57.460 (USA)
Grade III
1. Eleanor Brimmer, Carino H, 57.531 (USA)
Grade IV
1. James Dwyer, Orlando, 68.750 (IRE)
2. Lynne Pool, Vasco E, 64.427 (CAN)
3. Lynee Pool, Fisbee, 63.958 (CAN)
4. Madison Lawson, McGuire, 63.958 (CAN)
5. Mary Jordan, Sebastian, 63.333 (USA)
6. Mary Jordan, P Sparrow Socks, 62.135 (USA)
To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://www.uspea.org/pdf/January212012.pdf.
For more information about the Gold Coast Dressage Opener please visit www.gcdafl.org or contact Noreen O’Sullivan (561) 714-9026.
About United States Para-Equestrian Association:
The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.
The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.
Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.
In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).
For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.