Ellie Brimmer and London Swing at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Photos by Lindsay Y McCall.
Wellington, FL – March 2, 2014 – With only a few weeks left before the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3* scheduled March 12-16, 2014, para-dressage athletes have been working hard preparing their mounts for competition. Over two weekends February 20-23 and February 28 – March 2, multiple para-equestrian riders showcased their new partnerships at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) 7 and 8 in Wellington and at the Welcome Back to White Fences Show in Loxahatchee, FL February 20-23. U.S. riders included Rebecca Hart, Ellie Brimmer, Elle Woolley, Deborah Stanitski, Angela Peavy and Canadians Jody Schloss and Robyn Andrews. For many of those riders the weekend shows were the first time riders debuted their new horse/rider combinations. There are only two U.S. CPEDI3* events left in the United States to qualify for the U.S. Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG.) in Normandy, France. Those events include the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL, March 12-16, and the Golden State Dressage CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA, taking place April 3-6, 2014.
The first horse and rider combination in the ring under judge Lilo Fore at The Stadium at AGDF 7 was Grade III rider Ellie Brimmer (USA) of Wayzata, MN, and her brand new horse London Swing. The duo had a well-executed test and Brimmer was excited about how well the partnership came together. She noted, “I was really pleased with my test today. London Swing was just imported from Germany only one month ago. He handled the big atmosphere at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival really well; I give my trainer Rosalind Kinstler credit for getting us ready to show on such a short timeline and setting us up for success as we work towards my goal of qualifying to compete on the U.S. Team at the WEG. It was great to see other new horse rider combinations competing in the para-equestrian division as well and I know we all appreciate how welcoming the whole show management team at Global is to para-dressage competitors. I think the CPEDI3* this year will be very exciting as we do have a lot of new horse rider combinations working hard to qualify for WEG selection trials.”
Following Ellie Brimmer was Grade III rider Elle Woolley (USA) and her own P. Sparrow Socks. In 2013, Woolley attended the U.S. Para-Dressage Symposium held in Maine. During the symposium Woolley borrowed Grade IV Para-Dressage athlete Mary Jordan’s horse P. Sparrow Socks. For Jordan, P. Sparrow Socks was her project that she produced from her 2010 World Equestrian Games horse Paxton Abbey. Jordan saw the connection that Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks had and Woolley was excited to move forward within the Para-Dressage discipline and purchased the mare for competition. The AGDF 7 was the first big Para-Dressage show for duo Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks. “I couldn’t be more thrilled with my first day out there,” smiled Woolley. “I had no idea what to expect and my horse really stepped up for me. She knew she was performing and our scores reflected it. I’m very proud of her. The second day, I was just spent and so was my horse and our scores reflected that. I’m still so pleased with the overall weekend. I know now exactly what our homework is, where we need work, and I’m going to have to bring that extra energy. I know what to expect at the coming CPEDI3* and I am very confident about it.”
Former eventer and pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Deborah Stanitski, MD of Charleston, South Carolina and her horse Tiramisu were also experiencing one of their first big para-dressage shows over the weekend. Stanitski commented, “I was happy with my Grade II (team?) test but there was also room for improvement. I am looking forward to my first international Para-Dressage show at Global in the middle of March.”
Paralympian Jody Schloss and her veteran mount Inspector Rebus had two consist days at the Wellington horse show. Jody was happy with the weekend’s outcome and looks forward to showing at the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* alongside her Canadian teammates.
During the same weekend, Welcome Back to White Fences in Loxahatchee, Florida hosted a full Dressage and Para-Dressage show. Two-Time Paralympian Rebecca Hart (USA) and Canadian Robyn Andrews participated in the Para-Dressage Test of Choice. This show was the first debut of Grade II Rebecca Hart’s new horse Schroeters Romani. The duo had an outstanding individual test scoring a 77.571% on their first day.
Hart purchased Romani, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, with the help of Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Hart’s family, William and Sally Kimmel and Sycamore Station Equine Division.
Rebecca Hart noted, “I am super excited about Romani. I am honored and humbled to be able to get to ride this horse. We have the best support team behind us and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity. It wouldn’t have been possible without them. It was fantastic to go out and be as successful as we were on our first competition together. I am really looking forward to the future and continuing to grow as a team.”
Para-Dressage riders continued to compete in AGDF 8 Palm Beach Derby February 28 – March 1, including Robyn Andrews (CAN) aboard Fancianna; Deborah Stanitski (USA) and Tiramisu; Angela Peavy (USA) with her three horses Ozzy Cooper, Stuart Little, and Lancelot Warrior; and Ellie Brimmer competed with London Swing earning a 71.875% in their Freestyle.
Scheduled March 12-16, 2014, Para-Dressage riders from Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV will be participating in the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* held at The Stadium in Wellington, FL. This FEI qualifier for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is one of the last two U.S. qualifiers before the WEG selection trials. To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, please visit www.GlobalDressageFestival.com.
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.