Tag Archives: Lara Oles

Lara Oles and Bella Earn Para-Dressage FEI Championship at Thunderbird CPEDI3*

Lara Oles and Bella. Photo by Totem Photographics – Steve Charles.

Langley, B.C., Canada – June 13, 2016 – FEI Para-Dressage rider Lara Oles (Heber City, Utah) and her Canadian Warmblood, Bella, dominated Grade III at the Thunderbird CPEDI3* in British Columbia. Hosted by Equine Canada, this international Para-Dressage competition took place at the beautiful Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, June 9-12, 2016. Ten horse and rider combinations from the USA and Canada rode under ground jury members President Kjell Myrhe, FEI 5* (NOR); Jennifer Maynard FEI 4* (CAN), and Christel Carlson FEI 3* (USA). For USA athlete Lara Oles and her bay mare the Thunderbird CPEDI3* was the competition they needed to showcase their partnership that has been growing over the past year. Oles had a hard decision to make whether to attend the 2016 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships/Paralympic Selection Trials sponsored by Deloitte in Michigan, or gain international ranking in Canada. Over three days Oles and Bella wowed the judges with their tests scoring a 70.219% in the Team Test, a 71.463% in the Individual Championship Test, and a 70.333% in their Freestyle. Oles was the highest overall scoring rider of the Thunderbird CPEDI3* in addition to her clean sweep to earn the Grade III Championship.

Despite some inclement weather and an electric atmosphere, Oles and Bella had an incredible show including a visit from Bella’s breeder Michael Rabe. Oles commented, “After a great first day in the Team Test it was exciting to meet Bella’s breeder Michael Rabe from British Columbia. He drove four hours to watch us ride and it was great to get to know him and hear stories about Bella’s dam (Le Gunz), sire (Bonaparte), and siblings. It was an added bonus that he saw us perform in the Individual Test earning our highest score of the whole show. During that test we rode through the rain to earn a 71.5%. On the final day, Bella stayed consistent even with a few moments of tension in the Freestyle, and scored a 70.3%.”

Oles added, “I want to thank Sage Creek Equestrian and the Challenged Athletes Foundation because without their generous financial assistance we would not have been able to continue training or afford to attend the Thunderbird CPEDI3*. I also want to thank our sponsors including Theraplate for keeping Bella in top competition form.  She is an elite athlete and we want to keep her feeling good. CEECOACH for improving our training experience and Arista Equestrian for making me look good.”

Oles concluded, “All in all, it was a great show. I am so glad to have another CPEDI3* under my belt.  I am hoping our scores will bump me up in the FEI Para-Dressage rider standings. I am very proud of my entire team including Bella and I want to thank my trainer and coach Annie Sweet for working so hard with Bella and me to get us this far, and of course my husband Dan who does everything from driving the truck and organizing the gear, to braiding Bella’s mane and keeping us on schedule. We couldn’t do it without him. We have been able to accomplish an amazing amount in the past few years.  We have very limited funding and bought Bella at a stable down the street in Heber City, Utah, but still have been able to earn competitive scores for the rankings.  We hope to be able to continue training and improving all the way up to the 2018 World Equestrian Games selection trials. I would love to have a shot at earning a spot on the United States Equestrian Team.”

By: Lindsay Y. McCall

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: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Horse Radio Network Features Para-Equestrians Cambry Kaylor and Lara Oles

Cambry Kaylor and Markgaards Donnewind.

Jupiter, FL – July 1, 2015 – Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured Para-Equestrians Cambry Kaylor and Lara Oles with hosts Regina Cristo and Ellie Brimmer. The Para-Equestrian athletes talked about their past, their plans for the future and their journey as Para-Dressage riders. To listen to episode #317, please visit: http://www.horseradionetwork.com/2015/06/26/dressage-radio-episode-317-by-uspea-para-week-with-lara-oles-and-cambry-kaylor/.

Once a month, the Dressage Radio Show becomes the Para-Equestrian Show Hosted by Lindsay McCall, of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, focusing on international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners have the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the Para-Reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including Olympians, Paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.

To learn more about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.

To learn more about the Horse Radio Network, visit www.horseradionetwork.com; to contact Glenn the Geek, go to http://www.horseradionetwork.com/contact/ or leave a voicemail at 270-803-0025.

Lara Oles and Bella. Photo courtesy of Stacey Hornsby
Lara Oles and Bella. Photo courtesy of Stacey Hornsby

About the Horse Radio Network:

The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.

We believe that people own horses for fun and entertainment. Why else would you put up with the early morning feedings, stall cleaning, vet bills, long trips to shows, empty bank accounts and everything else that goes with being a horse owner?

Our goal with these shows is to help your chores go a little faster and to put a smile on your face! Learn more at www.horseradionetwork.com.

HORSES IN THE MORNING live M-F at 9am Eastern at www.horsesinthemorning.com.

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.

Para-Reining at the NRHA Futurity

Lara Oles riding her Para-Dressage Horse Slate who is also a Quarter Horse. Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall.

Para-dressage rider Lara Oles finds freedom and the top score in para-reining

By Larri Jo Starkey
The American Quarter Horse Journal
December 8, 2014

Para-reiners saddled up December 6 in Oklahoma City for competition during the National Reining Horse Association Futurity. Para-dressage rider Lara Oles of Utah nabbed the top score of 70.5 on Western Whiz in her ninth ride on a reiner.

“This was the best thing that ever happened to me, and that score blew me away,” Lara said. “This horse – if I didn’t get a good score on him, I’d have felt bad, because he’s so talented.”

Western Whiz is a 2003 bay gelding by West Coast Whiz and out of Cameos Brite Star by Black Star Leo. He was bred by Roberta M. Witt of Williston, Ohio, and is owned by Robert N. Thompson of Pilot Point, Texas. He has $123,642 in NRHA earnings.

“This horse is so responsive,” Lara said. “Every day, we get more connected and I learn more of his cues. He loves his work. If you ask him right, he’ll do it. He wants to do it. (Riding the pattern) was easy. Once I learned his cues and to sit still and let him do his job, he makes it easy.”

Lara and many of the other para-reiners spent a week before the competition practicing at trainer Lisa Coulter’s facility in Pilot Point, she said, developing camaraderie with their competitors and with their horses.

“I was lucky Lisa gave me her Cadillac to ride – the long straw,” Lara said. “It was amazing. It was the most fun. This is only the ninth time I’ve ever ridden a reiner in my life. (Para-dressage and para-reining) are very similar. You have to be precise. It’s a discipline. People might think you’re hoo-hawing around, but you’re not.”

Lara’s not quite ready to give up her para-dressage saddle yet: She hopes to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’d love to have para-reining added to the World Equestrian Games,” she said. “Someday, that will happen, but for now, I’m enjoying this class. I’m in love with this sport.”

Other competitors were:

Briana Bartlett of Tecumseh, Nebraska, on her own Chromed Tejon
Cole Jacobs of Fabius, New York, on his own Ruf N Loaded
Lise Yervasi of Oregon on Gail Klapper’s Remin Star
Deidre Hannah Charity Smith’s Whiz Pop Bang
Freddy Win of New Jersey on Allison Smith’s Pistol Silencer
Catherine Sherwood on Robert Thompson’s Spark Chocolate

Two riders demonstrated walk-only reining patterns: Tara Kowalski and Ruth Armbruster.

Para-reining made its debut during the 2013 AQHA World Championship Show, and interest in the sport continues to grow, including a class at the 2014 World Show, a class at the Kentucky Reining Cup and the one at the NRHA Futurity.

For 2014, AQHA adopted para-reining rules in collaboration with USA Reining and NRHA. Those rules will be revised after this test year and with the cooperation of the United States Para-Equestrian Association with the goal of making para-reining a nationally recognized sport in 2015.

This press release content is from The American Quarter Horse Journal. To view photos and video from the event, please visit: http://www.aqha.com/Journal/Coverage/2014/December/12082014-Para-Reining-at-the-NRHA-Futurity.aspx.

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.