Tag Archives: Diane Kastama

Drivers Complete USEF High Performance Para-Driving Clinic in California

Stefanie Putnam (Left) drives during the USEF High Performance Para-Driving clinic August 31, 2015. Photo by Tom Muehleisen.

ESPN and Disabled Sports USA Provide Free Para-Driving Clinic October 5-6 in Kentucky

Lexington, KY – September 24, 2015 – United States Driving for the Disabled (USDFD) Para-Equestrian drivers attended the USEF High Performance Para-Driving clinic August 31, 2015. The clinic took place in Newcastle, Calif. at Whispering Oaks Performance Horses (WOPH). Drivers had the opportunity to work with top level Swedish clinician Olof Larsson from Florida. Leslie Berndl, owner of WOPH, graciously hosted the clinic at her facility. USDFD would like to thank USEF for such a memorable event and important educational day for High Performance drivers. Following the August 31, West Coast clinic is a free Para-Equestrian Driving Clinic Oct 5-6, 2015.

The October clinic will be held at the Gayla Driving Center in Georgetown, Kentucky. Thanks to Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) and Disabled Sports USA, individuals who are members of USDFD (or potential members) are invited to participate in one and/or two days of driving. The clinic will consist of discussions on competing with a disability, adaptive equipment, and dispensations. Experts include internationally recognized para-driver Diane Kastama with individual instruction from Sara Schmitt. Schmitt is a Grand Prix dressage rider, trainer, instructor, USEF ‘S’ judge, ADS ‘r’ judge and international combined driving competitor. Existing competitive and recreational para-drivers and new drivers are welcomed. Use of borrowed horse or stabling can be arranged. This clinic occurs just before the 2015 National Drive scheduled October 6-11, 2015, at The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

For more information about Sara Schmitt, please visit http://www.saraschmitt.com/.

For more information about Diane Kastama, please visit http://www.grandmeadows.com/tag/diane-kastama.

Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) and Disabled Sports USA video: http://www.disabledsportsusa.org/espn/.

For more information about The 2015 National Drive, please visit http://www.nationaldrive.net.

Location:
Para-Equestrian Driving Clinic Oct. 5, 6 – FREE
Gayla Driving Center
3329 Cynthiana Road
Georgetown, KY 40324

By: USDFD and Lindsay Y. McCall

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 Fédération 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.

US Para-Equestrian Driver Diane Kastama Nominated as FEI Athlete Representative

Voting open through June 1, 2014

Thousand Oaks, CA – May 13, 2014 – 26 candidates from 10 nations are standing for election as FEI Athlete Representatives on the FEI Technical Committees for Jumping, Dressage, Para-Equestrian, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. Diane Kastama was one of the three Para-Equestrian athletes chosen in the world for this accolade. For the first time in the 93-year history of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the athletes themselves have the opportunity to vote for their FEI Athlete Representatives. The election will take place via a secure online voting platform here, where the curriculum vitaes of all athlete candidates will be available for review. Voting will remain open until June 1, 2014. The appointed FEI Athlete Representatives in each discipline will also form the FEI Athletes’ Committee when the FEI’s Technical Committees require feedback and proactive input on areas relevant to all FEI athletes. FEI registered athletes, aged 18 years and over, and who are included on their respective Ranking Lists from December 31, 2013, will be eligible to vote for their Athlete Representative. For further information on the FEI Athlete Elections 2014: www.fei.org/hub/athletes/athlete-elections-2014.

About Diane Kastama:

Diane Kastama, Arroyo Grande, CA Grade I.  In 1991 a car crash left Diane paralyzed from the waist down. Although a lifelong horse person and dressage enthusiast, riding without the use of her legs was not much fun and she soon turned to driven dressage and then the exciting sport of combined driving. Her relatives and friends thought she was crazy for taking on a sport that involves sitting atop a tall carriage, pulled by a horse going “hell-bent” for speed.

Diane started competing with her home bred Appaloosa’s but now Diane competes with a pair of Section D Welsh Cobs, Rupert and George. She drives them single, pair and tandem. She competes against able-bodied drivers all over the Western United States and occasionally on the East Coast at the Intermediate and Advanced level. Diane has also demonstrated her skills at Rolex, KY, Horse Expo in Sacramento, the “Night of the Horse” in Del Mar, the Equine Affair and various therapeutic horse programs throughout California. She has also participated in the closing ceremonies at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Diane is always willing to share her skills and knowledge and bring driving to the forefront of equine sports.  Diane has been very successful in international Para-Equestrian competition, coming home with an Individual Silver and Team Bronze driving a borrowed Welsh Cob Stallion in 2002 Greven, Germany.  In 2004 she place 5th with a borrowed Welsh cob in Endinburg, Scotland.  In 2006 she came home with Individual Gold driving her own Welsh cob gelding Jasper.  In 2008 Diane earned Individual Bronze and Team Silver driving Jasper once again.

In 2012, Diane represented the USA at the FEI Para Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles, Breda, The Netherlands. She was also recently nominated (pending the High Performance Selection Committee) as one of the three drivers who will represent the USA at the 2014 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championship held in Sandringham, England from June 27-29, 2014.

Adapted from the FEI by: Lindsay Y. McCall for the USPEA

To view an online version of this press release, 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.

United States Para-Equestrian Driving Team Prepares for 2012 World Driving Championships

Diane Kastama

July 26, 2012 – As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30 – September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands.

The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of Burnet, Texas.

In preparation for this exciting event, the United States Driving for the Disabled (USDFD), which is the Para-Equestrian Driving National Affiliate for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), works alongside USEF, coaches, drivers, horse owners, and trainers to assist with the many aspects that will affect Para-Drivers.

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