Fort Worth, TX – October 14, 2011 – In 2010 the Para-Equestrian discipline debuted at their first World Equestrian Games, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Games launched the Para-Equestrian sport and Para-Equestrians into household names. The recognition let people know that Para-Dressage, like all equestrian disciplines, requires strength, drive, FEI level horses, and experienced athletes. As like all equestrian sports it also requires strong support. The 2011 International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Show Association (IALHA) decided their 2011 IALHA National Championship and Charity Horse Show would benefit the United States Para-Equestiran Association (USPEA). This is the biggest show of the year for the IALHA which is held October 11-16, 2011 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Ft. Worth Texas. The IALHA and the United States Equestrian Federation present the National Championship.
“I brought the idea to our committee of having our last big show of the year benefit the USPEA and it was unanimous that it would happen,” smiled 2011 IALHA Show Chair Christina Cardenas. Christina became captivated by the Para-Equestrians while in Lexington at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. She noted, “When I saw these riders dancing with their horses and making it look so effortless I knew in that moment I wanted to have a fundraiser for the cause.” Over the course of this week, the IALHA horse show holds a silent auction and has a clothing drive to add to their fundraiser. It will be support of the patrons, the sponsors, exhibitors, IALHA members, and spectators who will contribute to supporting the USPEA. As part of the fundraiser the USPEA will receive 50% of all profits.
The United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) delegation packs up and begins to head South of the Border next week – get ready Guadalajara. Dressage lands first on October 11. Eventing follows on the 15th and Jumping comes in on the 21st. Equestrian is represented by 14 athletes who make up 627 athletes heading to Mexico to represent the United States. Of the 79 Olympians represented in the entire U.S. Team – three are from the sport of equestrian.
The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team lies fifth out of 13 teams after the first day of dressage at the 2011 Boekelo CCI3* on a combined score of 152.8. The team is led by Team veteran Boyd Martin, who is in eighth place with Henley House Stables’ Remington XXV. They did their dressage test on Thursday.
Lausanne (SUI), 7 October 2011 – A record number of horse-and-rider combinations will compete in the equestrian events at the 16th Pan-American Games which kick off in Guadalajara, Mexico in just over a week’s time, on Sunday 16 October. This is the world’s largest multi-sport event apart from the summer Olympics, and takes place on a four-year cycle leading up to each Olympic fixture.
Remington XXV, the first of four Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team horses to contest the Boekelo CCI3* in the Netherlands, got the team off to a good start on the first day of dressage. With Boyd Martin (West Grove, PA), he put in a polished performance to finish on a score of 45.8. This effort puts them fourth after the first day of dressage.