Tag Archives: Para-Equestrian

Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Team Tests for Grades II and Ib Set the Pace for the Week Ahead

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Lee Pearson and Gentleman give Great Britain a first strong team score. Photo FEI/Liz Gregg

London (GBR), 30 August 2012 – The Equestrian events of the London 2012 Paralympic Games got off to a partly wet and windy start for Grades II and Ib in the team test today, but little could dampen the spirits of the riders and their teams as they began their Paralympic journey. There was a genuine buzz about Greenwich Park and British riders did not disappoint the enthusiastic crowds as they battled with the elements, taking pole position in both Grades. The spectators, many for whom this would be a first Dressage experience, were sensitive to the needs of the athletes in terms of cheering and congratulated them when they saw it was safe to do so. For many of the riders, this was probably the first time they and their horses have ever competed in front of such large crowds so it truly marked the beginning of what is likely to be a unique experience.

In the name of the Team
The first two days of competition are all about the team with riders in each Grade competing in the Team test. However, as there are some riders competing here as individuals (a team is composed of a minimum of three and maximum of four individuals), they also take part in the team test but their scores do not go towards any final marks, making it a practice run of sorts.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Wentz Leads U.S. Team on First Day of the 2012 Paralympic Games

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Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale (photos: Shannon Brinkman)

Greenwich, UK – The Para-Equestrian Dressage competition of the 2012 Paralympic Games kicked off Thursday with Grade II and Grade 1b riders completing their Team Tests on a day that ran the gamut of English weather. The U.S. sent three representatives into the main arena with Rebecca Hart and Dr. Dale Dedrick competing during the Grade II morning session and Jonathan Wentz competing in afternoon Grade 1b competition.

Riders for Great Britain set the pace in both divisions with Natasha Baker and Cabral, competing as an Individual, scoring 76.095% in the Grade II Test and Lee Pearson riding Gentleman scoring 74.682% for their Grade 1b Test. Wentz leads the U.S. after being awarded a 70.364% from the Ground Jury of Kjell Myhre, Sarah Rodger, Gudrun Hofinga, Freddy Leyman and Anne Prain.

Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale demonstrated the strength of their partnership that has spanned four years producing a forward, accurate test. The 18-year-old Shire cross gelding was completely unfazed by the electricity of the arena and crisp damp weather. The pair has been working on improving the walk movements and halts and their diligence paid off in London.

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Championships, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Horses and Riders Ready in Breda for the FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles

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Para-equestrian drivers and their supporters enjoyed some time off and toured the Hague on Monday. They got an up-close look at Queen Beatrix's Golden Coach

Breda, The Netherlands – International para-equestrian drivers are in Breda, The Netherlands right now ready to compete at the 2012 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles. The first vet check took place Wednesday and the three horses that will be driven by Americans passed with ease. Athletes schooled in dressage today and attended the official marathon course walk. Competition begins Thursday.

Three competitors will represent the U.S. driving borrowed horses.

Karen Gorham (Burnet, TX) will drive the Family De Bryne’s New Forest Pony, Rozendaal’s Solomon. Gorham has been an equestrian driver since the 1980s. She was involved in a hurricane Rita related truck accident in 2005 and has made use of a prosthetic left arm ever since. Her para-driving career is in its infancy, after the accident she did not resume driving until 2010, but her combined driving experience is sure to help her this weekend in Breda.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

U.S. Horses Pass Horse Inspection with Flying Colors at 2012 London Paralympic Games

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Bonifatius (Shannon Brinkman/USEF)

Greenwich, UK – The four American horses presented before the Para-Equestrian Dressage Ground Jury in the main arena at the 2012 Olympic Games were deemed sound and fit to compete at Wednesday’s Horse Inspection. The U.S. will be represented by two veteran riders and two rising stars, when competition begins Thursday with the Team Tests. A total of 15 teams and 19 individuals will be representing their countries.

At the Horse Inspection 77 horses were presented from 27 different nations. Two horses, Finland’s Rosie and Norway’s Ballantine, will be re-inspected tomorrow morning.

The U.S. horses looked to be in beautiful health and were exceptionally well turned out due to the meticulous care of veterinarian Dr. Stacey Kent and their grooms. Missy Ransehousen serves as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. team in London.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

The Final Countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games

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London (GBR), 28 August 2012 – With just 24 hours to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, excitement and great expectations are building up in the Olympic venues dotted around the city whilst record ticket sales – over 2.2 million tickets sold – are already hailing this edition as the greatest ever.

This will be the fifth time Para-Equestrian Dressage is on the programme but it is the first time it is held in a country with such a strong Para-Equestrian culture, so strong that since it became a Paralympic sport in 1996, Great Britain has held the team title on every occasion as well as leading the individual medal count by a whopping margin.

Seventy-eight riders and 77 horses (two riders will be using the same horse) will be competing over the six days of competition from Thursday 30 August to Wednesday 4 September. The athletes are divided into five Grades (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V) and will be looking to impress the judges in the Team Test, Individual Championship Test and Freestyle, with 11 sets of medals up for grabs, two per Grade and the overall team medals.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

London Is Calling the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

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Lauren Barwick (CAN) and Off to Paris. PHOTO: Lindsay Yosay McCall

London, England, United Kingdom – August 20, 2012 – With passports in hand and the final tack box loaded, the United States Paralympic Equestrian Team is on their way to London. Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen and equestrians Rebecca Hart, top ten FEI Paralympian Jonathan Wentz, Donna Ponessa, and Dale Dedrick will shortly accompany their horses when they arrive in the United Kingdom. From the logistics of international travel to the intense competition, the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team has a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks.

As the only athlete in the Paralympics that has four legs, these high-performance horses will be traveling first-class aboard a FedEx Express MD-11 with the finest of luxuries. The amenities include: groom accompaniment, social interaction when necessary, their own team veterinarian, and a large box stall for each horse.

Once landed the horses will be stabled in Surrey where they will convene with their riders until August 24th when they make their way to Greenwich Park. The horses, grooms, and trunks will go through a strict screening process, which includes detection canines and a full sweep of all compartments within the lorry and trailer. Horses are allowed to begin arriving at the Greenwich Park Equestrian facilities starting August 24, 2012 with the FEI Horse Inspection on August 29, 2012. Seventy-eight horses are expected to arrive at the Paralympic Stables flying, driving, and arriving by water transportation from 26 nations around the world.

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Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, USEF

USEF Names Four to U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has named the team for the 2012 Paralympic Games. The four athletes representing the U.S. in London turned heads at the Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and Selection Trial held in Gladstone, NJ in June.

The following two U.S. team veterans and two rising stars will compose the team:

Rebecca Hart (Unionville, PA) and Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger
Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale
Donna Ponessa (New Windsor, NY) and Wesley Dunham’s Western Rose
Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor , MI) and her own Bonifatius

Reigning USEF National Champion Hart makes her second trip to the Paralympic Games after having represented her country at the 2008 Games. The Grade II rider will utilize the experience that earned her national titles in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 when she competes in Greenwich Park.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Para-Equestrian

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

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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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Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Para-Equestrian Dressage Athlete Mary Jordan Leaves Lasting Impression at Official USA Olympic Day

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Mary Jordan speaking to campers at USOC Olympic Day. Photo courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation Department in Saco, Maine

Saco, Maine – July 22, 2012 – As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), there were more than 700 events taking place across the United States including multiple locations in Maine. U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage rider Mary Jordan of Wells, Maine traveled to Saco, Maine where over 400 campers were awaiting her arrival.

As Jordan described and showcased Olympic and Paralympic athletes around the world, the previously hot and tired campers became captivated by Jordan. “The children were fascinated when they saw a Paralympic Swimmer without legs winning the gold for their country. They asked so many wonderful questions and two hours flew by as if it were 20 minutes,” noted Jordan.

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Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, USEF

USEF Names Nominated Entry for U.S. Para-Equestrian Driving Team

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Gladstone, NJ – Following the approval of the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Executive Committee, the following drivers have been named to the Short List/Nominated Entry for the 2012 FEI World Para Equestrian Driving Championship for Singles.

Karen Gorham (Grade II)

Pam Johnson (Grade II)

Diane Kastama (Grade I)

The 2012 FEI World Para Equestrian Driving Championship for Singles will take place in Breda, The Netherlands, August 30 – September 2, 2012.

Follow the U.S. Para-Equestrian and Driving Teams here.