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Rebecca Hart Earns Sixth USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

Rebecca Hart earned the 2014 USEF National Championship with Shroeter’s Romani. Photos copyright SusanJStickle.com.

U.S. Para-Dressage 2014 World Equestrian Games Selection Trial Rankings Are In

Gladstone, NJ – June 6, 2014 – For the sixth time in history, Grade II Para-Dressage rider from Unionville, Penn., Rebecca Hart, took home the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. Hart rode the Danish Warmblood Shroeter’s Romani to the victory. Shroeter’s Romani is 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. Earning the Reserve Championship was Grade Ia rider Margaret McIntosh and her own Rio Rio (Rheinland Pfalz-saar). The 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship/ Selection Trial for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) was one of the most competitive Championships/Trials in Para-Dressage history. Para-Equestrians from around the U.S. traveled to Hamilton Farm at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ for their chance to earn a spot on the U.S. WEG Team and achieve top national rankings. The June 2-5, National Championship/Trials ground jury included President Kristi Wysocki (4*) USA, Adrienne Pot (3*) USA, and David Schmutz (4*) USA. Behind Reserve Champion Margaret McIntosh obtaining third place was Grade Ia athlete Roxanne Trunnell and her own Nice Touch. Fourth place overall went to Young Rider Sydney Collier and the Mecklenburg NTEC Cuplee, owned by Patricia Mendenhall. Fifth place overall was earned by 2010 WEG athlete Susan Treabess and the PRE Stallion Kamiakin, owned by Scott and Katie Hill and the sixth place accolade went to Angela Peavy and the Hannoverian Lancelot Warrior, owned by Rebecca Reno. The awards ceremony named the top horse/rider combinations in each of the five 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 was the Sportsmanship Trophy. The Sportsmanship Trophy was awarded to Marsha Cullen. The Sportsmanship Trophy is a Perpetual Trophy awarded to a 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. Cullen was presented with a take-home trophy during the final awards ceremony.

It was an exciting week for Para-Equestrian Dressage riders, sponsors, owners, and spectators. Included during the week was the USPEA Welcome Reception and the Kick Off Party for the newly established Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage, hosted by the USET Foundation. The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage was made possible through the generosity of Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation. The goal of the initiative is to raise $800,000 for High Performance Para Dressage. Mrs. Duprey and the Barnfield Foundation have each pledged up to $200,000. They will each match, dollar for dollar, every gift commitment of $4,000 and above made by April 1, 2015.

Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio
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Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio

By the end of the week the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship/Selection Trial revealed the top competitors for the 2014 WEG. Once reviewed and selected through the team selection process the 2014 U.S. Para-Dressage Team will be led by U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor Kai Handt.

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.

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