Kai Handt jogs Rubicon 75, ridden by Mary Jordan. Photos (c) Lindsay Y. McCall.
Wellington, FL – January 8, 2015 – Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes from around the North American continent have landed in Wellington, Florida, for the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*. This is the first CPEDI3* event for the 2015 calendar year. Thirteen horse and rider combinations presented their mounts in front of FEI Ground Jury members Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Para-Equestrians from Canada and the United States will compete January 9-11, in The Van Kampen covered arena at the Global Dressage Festival. Friday, January 9, is the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Test, followed by Saturday’s FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test, and finally the exciting FEI Para-Dressage Freestyle Test on Sunday, January 11. The United States Para-Dressage athletes are looking forward to showcasing multiple new horse and rider combinations and many of their 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG) duos. As the U.S. riders look towards the future they will be aiming to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 7-18, 2016.
Grade Ia includes: Paralympian Jody Schloss (CAN) and her own Inspector Rebus; Robyn Andrews (CAN) and her own Fancianna; 2014 World Equestrian Games U.S. (WEG) Team rider Roxanne Trunnell and her new partner Westphalian NTEC Royal Dancer, owned by Julia Handt; and U.S. Air Force Veteran Derrick Perkins and Hanoverian Gracias Juan, owned by Stephanie Dubicki. Grade Ib features 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Sydney Collier and her own Wentworth. Collier will also ride NTEC Roulette, owned by Kai Handt; and Paralympian Dale Dedrick (USA) and her new horse Westphalian Mr. Bockman. Grade II Para-Dressage duos are: Paralympian Lauren Barwick (CAN) and her own Oldenburg Ferdonia 2; two-time Paralympian (2008, 2012), two-time WEG athlete (2010, 2014) Rebecca Hart and Danish Warmblood Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolos, and Will and Sandy Kimmel. Grade III athletes Eleanor Brimmer (USA) and her own Hanoverian London Swing will compete with 2014 WEG U.S. Individual Angela Peavy and Trakehner Ozzy Cooper. Peavy will also be riding Hanoverian Lancelot Warrior. Both horses are owned by Rebecca Reno. Athlete Mary Jordan and Oldenburg Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, will compete in Grade IV at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
U.S. Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt was excited to see the competitors back in action after the 2014 World Equestrian Games. He noted, “We have the entire U.S. team here from the WEG. They improved a lot since the WEG and the horses are looking great. We learned at WEG what the judges want to see, how to prepare our horses better and how to be prepared as a rider. I think they will do really well this weekend. I want to note that we have a really good ground jury panel here this weekend. I think we are looking forward to a very good performance towards a quality team score and getting our rankings up. We also have some new horses performing that I am excited to see and we have some old proven horses that have come out really well. We have a very good mix including a couple new riders. We hoped there would have been more riders this year at this CPEDI3*. I know it was difficult for the riders to come this early in the season, but if you want to compete at the Paralympics and you want to compete in international championships this is part of what you have to do. This is how we find out who is team worthy and who needs some more work.”
The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* is once again managed by Lloyd Landkamer. The FEI Ground Jury includes Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Global Dressage Festival I CDI W/1*/Y/J/P/U25/CPEDI 3* January 7-11, 2015 is presented by Adequan. It features over $50,000 in prize money and is official qualifying competition for: The 2015 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North; the 2015 USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; 2015 AGCO/USEF Junior and Young Rider Dressage National Championships; and the 2015 USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship. It’s also the official qualifying competition for the 2015 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage Championships, the Great American/USDF Regional Championships and USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal Program. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events.
Website: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com
International Coordinator Thomas Baur 561-727-0229
Co-Manager and Secretary John Hoppman 612-799-6381
Co-Secretaries: Teresa Griner, Deb Landon, Peggy Warren, Angela Goodwin-Volpert
Veterinarian on grounds: Palm Beach Equine 561-793-1599
Farrier on grounds: Tony Bucci 561-798-8500
Competition Licensee: Equestrian Sport Productions LLC
Announcers: Nicho Meredith and Cyndi Kurth
Photographers: Susan Stickle at www.dressagephotos.com or susanjstickle.com
Location: The Stadium in Wellington, Florida
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
By: Lindsay Y. McCall
To view an online version of this press release, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.
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.