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.”
In July 2011, Goldman had a hip replacement just five weeks prior to a CPEDI3* competition in September 2011. She noted, “It’s been tough and my hip is still sore and stiff; however, I can still mount from the left side of the horse and I can still dismount.”
With the help of Goldman’s trainer in Cleveland, OH and the assistance of an entire circle of support Goldman will be heading to the 2012 London Paralympics Selection Trials for the United States Team this summer.
Goldman agreed, “From Kai Handt who allowed me to borrow one of his horses this year to the owners of Pegasus this journey would not have been possible without everyone. I have to thank all of these wonderful people who have gone above and beyond. A few of those people include the Collier’s (Sydney Collier is a fellow Para-Equestrian), Pegasus’ owners who took us in, and the woman who has fought for the Para-Equestrian discipline, Hope Hand (President of the USPEA). They need to be applauded; they give us the opportunity to do what we love.”
For Grade III rider Briana Beckworth (USA) doing what she loves at an international show was made possible by the gracious involvement of Mette Rosencrantz. Beckworth explained, “This journey has been amazing, Mette is the most incredible instructor. I know that I am quite lucky to be able to work with her. Within the last three days Mette has expanded upon my foundation exponentially. For instance, I went into the warm-up on Thursday and Basquewille and I just clicked. When we demonstrated our Team Test I held the counter-canter which I had never done before.”
Like many Para-Equestrians Beckworth has had to learn how to utilize her disability to challenge herself each day. After a car accident in 2004, Beckworth suffered a spinal cord injury resulting in leaving the riding ring for many years. In 2010, while watching the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, Beckworth felt that desire to ride again. Beckworth commented, “In 2010, I began working with Felice Rose who is an 81 -year-old classical dressage rider. She is the reason I started riding again and she is the reason I am here in California. For the past two years I have been searching for a horse of the type of caliber for FEI International competition. This was the first time that a horse was lined-up for me and I can’t believe the horse and trainer we got. I keep calling Felice and telling her that we did it!”
She continued, “Without Mette, her assistant Anna Dahlberg, Para-Equestrian Rebecca Hart, Para-Equestrian Ellie Brimmer, and Hope Hand we would not have been at the jog on Wednesday. I also would like to thank Felice and the show organizers and USEF officials who helped us get all of our official papers together within three days.”
As Selection Trials and the London Olympics approaches 2010 World Equestrian Games rider, Susan Treabess is focused on the future. With a barn full of horses (12 in training and 50 boarding), being five months pregnant, and working with her Terry Waechter’s horse Fugitivo XII, Treabess has been quite busy. She noted, “In April 2011, Fugitivo and I began this partnership thanks to a connection through one of my sponsors. As a stallion just pushing ten-years old I have been very pleased with him over the last two days. It took two years for my partnership with Moneypenny (2010 WEG horse) to know how I need to warm her up to achieve the scores we wanted. With Fugitivo we are still working those kinks out. He is a fabulous horse and a blast to ride but right now we are focusing on getting him out, showing him, and forming a confident partnership. Our game plan is to compete for the 2012 year in FEI Prix St. George and then hopefully try for the Norway World Equestrian Games.”
She continued, “For this weekend we are just focused on us. Fugitivo is such a wonderful horse: He is incredibly intelligent, has a huge personality, and of course since he is a stallion he has opinions about things. As a rider I can’t just get on him and tell him what to do. I have to form a relationship with him where we negotiate what we want. For my personal goals as a professional this horse is more of a professional challenge. With Moneypenny it was about learning how the international world works and with Fugitivo it’s about reaching that next level.”
As Susan completes each test at the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* owner, Terry Weachter, keeps a close eye on her PRE stallion. Weachter noted, “Susan and Fugitivo have a wonderful relationship. When I am watching her in the dressage ring I think about how Fugitivo has excelled within his breed standard and is continuing to open the door for a greater presence of Baroque horses in the international dressage ring. I am very excited to see what the future holds for Susan and Fugitivo.”
On Saturday evening, spectators will be treated to dazzling dressage including FEI Intermediaire I, $5,000 FEI Rancho Valencia Grand Prix Freestyle Test, FEI Grand Prix Test for Special, FEI Young Rider Individual Test, and Junior Rider Individual Test. Para-Equestrian Holly Bergay will perform during the break of the Saturday evening ceremonies showcasing the Para-Dressage discipline. In addition to the evening’s activities, a Silent Auction will occur to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA). Sunday morning will open to the last day of competition. On Sunday, The Para-Equestrians will ride their freestyle tests concluding the day with an awards ceremony.
Fast Facts: 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*
WHEN: March 8-11, 2012
WHERE: Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, CA
ABOUT THE DRESSAGE AFFAIRE: Riders, officials, and spectators will be treated to a first-class horse show at the beautiful Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, CA. Once again Keenan Productions will be managing the four-day Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire, March 8-11, which is an event that combines a USEF National Level show with an International Level show that qualifies both able-bodied riders and riders with physical disabilities for Regional, National and International Teams.
The 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire is recognized by FEI, USEF, USDF, California Dressage Society (CDS), and DASC. The March 8-11 horse show is a USEF High Performance Qualifier for:
- 2012 Olympic Games
- 2012 Paralympic Games
- 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals
- 2012 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediare Championships and Festival of Champions
- 2012 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships
FEI CDI ground jury will consist of Gustav Svalling 5* (SWE), Bo Jena 4*(SWE), Lilo Fore 4* (USA), Jeannie McDonald 4*(USA), and Joan MaCartney 4*(CAN).
The FEI CPEDI3* ground jury is Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5* (SWE). Lastly, the Open classes judges are Dolly Hannon ‘S’, Kem Barbosa ‘S’, and Beverly Rogers ‘S’.
Mette Rosencrantz Clinic March 12-13, 2012 Del Mar Horse Park
Mette Rosencrantz Clinic: There will be a dressage clinic for both able-bodied riders and for Para-Equestrian riders March 12-13, 2012. Please contact USPEA President Hope Hand by phone (610) 368-1416 or email Wheeler966@aol.com to reserve a ride time. The 2012 Mette Rosencrantz Para-Equestrian Dressage Clinic is co-hosted by Keenan Productions Dressage Affaire and the United States Para-Equestrian Association. The cost of the clinic is Free to current and future USPEA members and free to auditors, $100 for non-USPEA members, and $300 for able-bodied dressage riders.
For more information about the Mette Rosencrantz clinic please visit this link: http://www.uspea.org/pdf/February282012Mette.pdf.
To download the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* Prize list please visit http://www.dressageevents.com/.
For questions or comments contact President Kim Keenan Stordahl kkeenan@dressageevents.comor Show Secretary Bettina Longaker at blongaker@dressageevents.com or (866) 933-SHOW.
To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://www.uspea.org/pdf/March102012DelMarDressageAffaire.pdf.
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.