Susan Treabess and Kamiakin earned the top Grade IV position. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.
Gladstone, NJ – June 4, 2014 – The 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship/Selection Trial for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) continued on Wednesday, June 4, at Hamilton Farm. The USET Foundation Headquarters hosted 24 of the best Para-Dressage athletes in the United States as they vie for National accolades and a spot on the U.S. Para-Dressage Team headed to Normandy WEG. On June 3, 2014, the final ride of the day, Marsha Cullen and Latte, were interrupted due to inclement weather. Cullen finalized the Grade II results after completing her Team Test on June 4. Team Test day ended with seven riders earning over a 70%. On Individual Test day, only five riders earned over a 70%. As the final day of competition approaches on Thursday riders are giving it their all to secure their rankings. Each score is imperative to the final National Championship ranking and the Selection Trial Long List. The Team Test counts for 40% as does the Individual Test at 40%. The FEI Musical Freestyle will count for 20% of the rider’s total score. There are nine horse and rider combinations competing solely for the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, while the 15 other horse and rider combinations are competing for the National Championship and the Selection Trial for the Normandy WEG. The June 2-5, National Championship/Trials ground jury includes President Kristi Wysocki (4*) USA, Adrienne Pot (3*) USA, and David Schmutz (4*) USA. The 2014 year has been the most competitive year in history and the competition in Gladstone continues to be exciting. Topping each Grade on Individual Test day was Susan Treabess and Kamiakin (PRE), owned by Scott and Katie Hill in Grade IV; Angela Peavy and Ozzy Cooper (Trak), owned by Rebecca Reno in Grade III; Rebecca Hart and Shroeter’s Romani, (Danish Warmblood) in Grade II, 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; Sydney Collier and Willi Wesley (Warmblood), owned by Victoria Dugan; and Roxanne Trunnell and Nice Touch (Dutch), owned by Roxanne Trunnell in Grade Ia. June 5 will reveal the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion and Long List for the 2014 WEG. Once selected, the 2014 U.S. Para-Dressage Team will be led by U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor Kai Handt. The pressure is on for riders to be consistent and impressive as the final day approaches on Thursday with competition beginning at 8 AM.
Grade IV rider Susan Treabess (Winters, Calif.) understands the importance of consistent rides over the week. Treabess was also an athlete at the 2010 WEG in Kentucky. Treabess has been working hard with her PRE Stallion Kamiakin, and has made the 2013-2014 calendar a year of preparation and perfection working closely with her coach Dennis Callin. Treabess topped the Grade IVs on both the Team and Individual Test day this week. Her favorite test is the Musical Freestyle where the pair shows off their high-level Dressage talents. Combined scores from each day placed Susan Treabess in the top Grade IV position with an average score of 70.536% ahead of fellow 2010 WEG athlete Mary Jordan and Sebastian.
Grade III athlete Angela Peavy (Avon, Conn.) began her Para-Equestrian Dressage career in 2013. Peavy immediately topped the ranks with a string of talented horses and Heather Blitz by her side as coach. On Team Test day Peavy and Lancelot Warrior (Hannoverian), owned by Rebecca Reno were the top Grade III duo but on Individual Test day Peavy and Ozzy Cooper (Trak), topped Grade III ahead of her other mount Lancelot Warrior. After the two days Peavy and Lancelot Warrior are leading Grade III with a combined percentage score of 69.760%.
Five-Time U.S. National Champion and Two-Time Paralympian Rebecca Hart of Unionville, Penn. has topped both days of competition overall. The experienced athlete scored a 75.098% on the first day and a 73.048% on the second day for a combined total of 74.073%. Hart and Shroeter’s Romani became a brand new partnership in the Spring of 2014. In March 2014 Hart debuted the Danish Warmblood for the first time in Wellington, FL. After a quick trip overseas with her coach Missy Ransehousen in April for two CPEDI events, Hart was ready to head back to the U.S. for the National Championship/Trials. Hart has led the Grade IIs ahead of Californian Ashleigh Flores-Simmons and Verite SF, owned by Dana Williams.
In 2012, young rider Sydney Collier had not yet reached her 16th birthday before the 2012 Paralympic Selection Trials. The valuable experience of showing at the National Championships that year gave her the verification she needed to know that she was ready to aim for the 2014 WEG. Collier and her coach Wes Dunham have been nailing down Collier’s tests over the two years and even with two new mounts late in 2014, Collier scored top rankings in Grade Ib. On Team Test day Collier and Willi Wesley (Warmblood), owned by Victoria Dugan and Collier with NTEC Cuplee (Mecklenburg), owned by Patricia Mendenhall earned over the 70% marks right out of the gate. Collier continued her pattern earning a 71.609% with Willi Wesley on Individual Test day and a 71.322% with NTEC Cuplee. Collier is now finding herself in a great spot with combined total scores of 71.138% with Willi Wesley and a 70.694% with NTEC Cuplee.
Roxanne Trunnell of (Kennewick, WA) topped the Grade Ia’s with her own Nice Touch. Trunnell and Nice Touch have been together since 2003 even before Trunnell became unable to walk with an undiagnosed illness in 2009. Trunnell and Nice Touch have navigated the world of Para-Dressage and teamed up with Paralympic Equestrian Coach Kai Handt in 2013. During the National Championship/Trials Grade Ia has included many talented horse and rider combinations. After the first two days, Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio (Rheinland Pfalz-saar International), owned by Margaret McIntosh are currently leading Grade Ia with a combined score of 71.159%. Trunnell and Nice Touch are just behind McIntosh with a 70.978%.
Thursday, June 5, will include the FEI Musical Freestyle competition and the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will name the top horse/rider combinations in each of the four Grades in addition to the top horse/rider combinations selected for the long list for the U.S. Para-Dressage WEG Team. Also included in the final accolades will be the Sportsmanship Trophy. The Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Sportsmanship Award at the National Championship. The Sportsmanship Trophy is to be awarded annually to the Para-Dressage Athlete competing at the National Championship who best personifies the high standards and virtues of integrity, sportsmanship, honor, courage, team spirit, good temper and unselfishness. The organizing committee and officials of the competition shall nominate up to three competitors exemplifying the award definition the day before the final awards ceremony. The athletes participating in the event shall vote for the winner (one vote per athlete) once the slate has been announced. The winner will be presented the take-home trophy during the final awards ceremony and their name will be engraved on the Perpetual Trophy that is maintained by the USEF.
About the 2014 U.S. Para-Dressage WEG Team Selection:
The 2014 U.S. Para-Dressage Team will be led by U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor Kai Handt and it will consist of four athletes and four horses or three athletes and three horses. One team member must be classified either Grade Ia, Ib, or II. A team may not include more than two athletes from any one Grade. Positions one through three on the Short List/FEI Nominated Entry will be filled by the first through third ranked horse/athlete combination from the Selection Trial. If an athlete competes in the Selection Trial on more than one horse and ranks in the first through third placings at the Selection Trial with both horses, the athlete will be named to the FEI Nominated Entry in that athlete’s highest placed position with both horses. The positions that follow will be taken by the next highest ranking athlete/horse combination from the Selection Trial. Position four on the FEI Nominated Entry will be filled either by the next ranked athlete/horse combination from the Selection Trial or by an athlete/horse combination(s) named as a discretionary choice by the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Selectors. If a discretionary choice is utilized for position four then all athletes following the position filled by the discretionary choice will move down one place in the ranking from the Selection Trial up to the maximum number able to be nominated under FEI rules. If a discretionary choice is not used for position four then the remaining positions on the Short List/Nominated Entry will be filled by athlete/horse combinations in order of their ranking from the Selection Trial.
These selections will not be solidified until the competition has completed on June 5 and each ride is reviewed by the Selection Committee.
For more information about the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and the Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, please go to USEF.org.
WEG Selection Procedure: https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/WEGSelectionProcedures.pdf.
Criteria to Determine Eligibility to Compete in the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship may be found at: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx.
For more information about World Equestrian Games criteria, please visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx.
For questions about the 2014 Para-Equestrian Dressage season, please contact the USEF High Performance Director of the Para-Equestrian Discipline Laureen K. Johnson at (908) 326-1155 or e-mail lkjohnson@usef.org.
Written by: Lindsay Y McCall
To view an online version of this press release with more photos, 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.