Frederick Win aboard This Rose Will Shine at the first Para-Reining Demonstration in 2013. Photo by Lindsay Yosay McCall.
Lexington, KY – April 26, 2014 – At the 2013 American Quarter Horse (AQHA) World Championship Show November 8-23, the Para-Equestrian discipline Para-Reining was demonstrated at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City for the first time ever. USA Reining and the United States Para-Equestrian Association, in cooperation with the AQHA and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), made the unprecedented Para-Reining demonstration possible. Those athletes included two-time Paralympian Rebecca Hart, U.S. Air Force veteran Derrick Perkins, and Para-Dressage rider Frederick Win. Alongside these equestrians was experienced AQHA rider Reyna Nicole Taylor. All four riders were judged by FEI 4* Reining judges. For the second time in history, Para-Dressage athletes will once again demonstrate the future Para-Reining discipline at the Cargill’s Nutrena® brand Para-Reining Event April 26, 2014, at 1 p.m. This showcase is part of the Kentucky Reining Cup, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. on April 25-27, 2014. The Kentucky Reining Cup is held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. This year’s Kentucky Reining Cup features the Adequan©/USEF Open Reining National Championship as well as the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Selection Trials.
Brad Ettleman, president of HorsePower, Inc. and producer of the Kentucky Reining Cup, has been a driving force behind USA Reining jump starting the international Para-Reining sport. With the help from the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) and their athletes, the AQHA, NRHA, and USA Reining, these events have been made possible.
USPEA President Hope Hand noted, “Putting on our silver buckles and donning our cowgirl and cowboy hats doesn’t get any better. We are so fortunate to be given this opportunity to showcase another Para Equestrian sport and to demonstrate the versatility of the horse and how in just two days they have adapted to our riders’ physical challenges. We thank our borrowed horses and their generous owners for allowing us to share this experience with everyone. I also want to thank USA Reining’s Brad Ettleman and World Champion Reiner of Canada Lisa Coulter, who are overseeing this entire event and making sure the show runs smoothly.”
Para-Dressage riders participating in the Cargill’s Nutrena® Para-Reining Event include Briana Beckworth, 2012 London Paralympian Dale Dedrick, Holly Jacobson, Lise Yervasi, and Frederick Win. Win also participated in the November 2013 Para-Reining demonstration.
Frederick Win commented, “I am so excited to participate in this event once again. My horse Gracie is a beautiful mare. We bonded right away. She is an approachable horse and enjoys making friends around the ring. She also doesn’t get spooked when I approach hopping with one leg towards her. She is wonderful. During my warm-ups on the first day I worked on my pattern including my circles and spinning. It went well. I could definitely see that Gracie was well trained. I had a bit difficultly with my slide on the first day as my balance is one side and is unusual for most horses. On the second day Gracie took what she learned about my weight, adjusted to it, and she gave me great slide on a very straight line. I want to thank my amazing reining trainer Josh Visser and his wife Carri Visser for reaching out to me in advanced to reserve Gracie for me. I also can’t thank not only Gracie’s owners but all the owners of these horses. Every time I am on Gracie practicing I can tell how much they cherish her. To put me on this advanced level horse is amazing. More importantly their kindness and trust in allowing me as a para-equestrian dressage rider to show this horse is exponential. The whole event has gone so smooth with the help of everyone including Brad (Ettleman) and Lisa (Coulter). I am excited to ride on.”
For the 2014 competition year, USA Reining will use the newly adapted Para-Reining rules. The new rules are a collaboration of AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities, NRHA and USA Reining. The adapted rules will be specialized, revised, and collated with the FEI Para-Equestrian rules for the following 2015 competition year. Members are encouraged to provide feedback for integration of the 2015 rules. USA Reining hopes to make Para-Reining a nationally recognized sport by the beginning of 2015.
For more information about USA Reining, please visit www.USA-Reining.com. If you are interested in the Para-Reining program or would like to provide member feedback, please contact Brad Ettleman at Brad@HPowerInc.com.
To view the 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup Schedule, please click here: http://www.kentuckyreining.com/schedule.html.
To view the 2013 Para-Reining Demonstration Press Release and photographs, please click here: http://uspea.org/november-18-2013-para-reining-debut-at-the-2013-aqha-world-championship-show-proves-successful/.
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.