Tag Archives: Para-Equestrian

USPEA Acknowledges the Combined Efforts of Individuals and Organizations at the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Selection Trials

Debbie McDonald at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Photo courtesy Tigger Montague for Dressage Daily

Gladstone, NJ – July 3, 2012 – It was a week to remember at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Dressage was thrown into national headlines and for the first time there were foam fingers waving “Dressage is #1” at the Olympic Dressage Selection Trials. For two weeks the United States Equestrian Team Foundation hosted the best in Dressage including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2012 Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials. The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank everyone involved for a successful week of Para-Dressage competition at the beautiful Pine Meadow location at the USET Foundation headquarters.

Just over the hill from Hamilton Farm at the USET Foundation’s headquarters is another historic equestrian location called Pine Meadow. For years it has been used for competition and training purposes especially for the Driving discipline. For one week Pine Meadow was transformed into the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials. The USPEA would like to thank the USET Foundation for hosting the Para-Equestrians and providing the facilities for this event.

Continue reading USPEA Acknowledges the Combined Efforts of Individuals and Organizations at the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Selection Trials

Ann Romney Awards Rebecca Hart 2012 USEF Para-Dressage National Championship Trophy

Rebecca Hart receiving 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship award from Ann Romney during the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Photograph (c) Susan Stickle

Gladstone, NJ – June 26, 2012 – After earning the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship title on June 13, 2012, Rebecca Hart, 26, of Unionville, PA, and Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen, were invited back to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s headquarters at Hamilton Farm. In front of a congregation of press, spectators, and top Olympic Dressage athletes, Hart was awarded the perpetual Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship trophy from presenter Ann Romney. Romney has been a long supporter of Dressage as an owner and athlete and she is a spokesperson for Multiple Sclerosis, which is one of the many diagnoses that specific Para-Equestrian athletes face.

In the moment that Rebecca Hart was awarded the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National championship trophy, she felt honored and humbled to represent the sport she has advocated for since 1998. Hart will add this National Championship to a list of accomplishments that she has achieved since 2003. In 2003 and 2007 she represented the U.S. at the Para-Equestrian World Championships, in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 she won the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and earned the reserve championship in 2010. In 2008 she represented the U.S. at the Beijing Paralympics, and in 2010 she represented the U.S. again at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Continue reading Ann Romney Awards Rebecca Hart 2012 USEF Para-Dressage National Championship Trophy

Nominated Entries for London 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Events Announced

Lausanne (SUI), 22 June 2012 – The FEI has today published the list of nominated entries for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The list is now available on the FEI website here.

The list details the athletes and horses that have achieved the minimum eligibility standards required for London 2012, and qualified National Federations will make their final selection of teams and individuals from this list.

Athletes and horses had from 1 January 2010 to 17 June 2012 to achieve the minimum eligibility standards in Para-Dressage, the sole equestrian discipline at the Paralympic Games.

Continue reading Nominated Entries for London 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Events Announced

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

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 19, 2012 – Following the approval of the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Executive Committee, the FEI Nominated Entry for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Team for the 2012 Paralympic Games is as follows.

Athletes and horse are listed in ranked order based on the results from the 2012 USEF Selection Trials & National Para-Equestrian Championship:

1. Rebecca Hart and Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger
2. Jonathan Wentz and Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale
3. Donna Ponessa and Wesley Dunham’s Western Rose
4. Dale Dedrick and her own Bonifatius
5. Donna Ponessa and Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center’s PG Ganda
6. Jonathan Wentz and Michele Miles’ Silvano
7. Mary Jordan and Deecie Denison’s Sebastian
8. Rebecca Hart and Jessica Ransehousen’s Carlingfords Taldi
9. Wendy Fryke and her own Lateran
10. Elizabeth Pigott and Regina Cristo’s One Night Stand
11. Mary Jordan and her own P. Sparrow Socks
12. Robin Brueckmann and her own Radetzky

Continue reading USEF Names Nominated Entry for U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger Win 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 14, 2012 – Rebecca Hart of Unionville, PA captured her fifth United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship on June 13. Hart, aboard Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen of Blue Hill Farm, inched out 2011 National Champion Jonathan Wentz of Richardson, TX with their Freestyle performance on Wednesday. Athletes from the high performance Para-Equestrian discipline presented their top mounts at the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ, June 10-13, 2012. It was befitting to be at one of the most historical locations in equestrian history for the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. With the nominated entries waiting to be named for the 2012 Paralympics, four athletes prevailed topping the field of twenty-three horse and rider combinations.

The 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials and Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships was a week of environmental changes including high temperatures one day, a downpour the second day, and a breezy but exceptional weather pattern on the final day. Para-Dressage athletes Rebecca Hart, Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX), Donna Ponessa (New Windsor, NY), and Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor, MI) kept the competition interesting posting scores only thousandths of a percentage point different at times.

Continue reading Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger Win 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

FEI Spring Bureau Meeting Update

Lausanne (SUI), 14 June 2012 – The FEI Bureau’s spring meeting took place at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 8-9 June.

The meeting opened with a minute’s silence for Dr Craig Ferrell, FEI Medical Committee Chair, and Jane Goldsmith, Member of the FEI Para-Dressage Committee, who passed away recently.

The main focus of the meeting was:

  • to agree on proposed modifications to general rules, regulations and FEI Statutes before submission to National Federations for consultation and feedback, prior to voting at the FEI General Assembly 2012.
  • to approve the allocation of Continental Championships and Finals, which have already been reported here.
  • to approve modifications proposed by the Technical Committees on 2013 series rules in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Driving and Vaulting.

Continue reading FEI Spring Bureau Meeting Update

Hart Scores Fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship Title in Hard Fought Battle

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, NJ – The 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials came down to the slimmest of margins this afternoon as riders performed their Freestyle tests at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation. Heading to the final test of the championships only a few marks separated the top three riders and the remaining 20% of the final score would be determined Wednesday. Rebecca Hart, Jonathan Wentz and Donna Ponessa all produced their highest scores of the competition in the Freestyle and less than a half of a percentage point would separate them in the final standings.

Hart (Unionville, PA) produced the highest score of the National Championship, a 75.917%, to claim her fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship title. The 26-year-old performed an extremely polished and stylish Grade II Freestyle with Jessica Ransehousen’s veteran Lord Ludger accented by a high degree of difficulty.

Continue reading Hart Scores Fifth USEF National Para-Equestrian Championship Title in Hard Fought Battle

Hart and Lord Ludger Lead 2012 National Para-Equestrian Championships

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger on their way to winning the Grade II Individual Test (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, NJ – The National Para-Equestrian Championships featuring the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials continued Tuesday with riders performing their Individual Tests. Riders braved the rain at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation Headquarters to showcase their skills across five grades of competition. Following the second test of the National Championship and Selection Trial, Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger lead Donna Ponessa and Western Rose by the slimmest of margins.

Hart (Unionville, PA) is on a quest to claim her fifth National title and earn the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the Paralympic Games in London this summer. The 2008 Paralympic Games and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games veteran earned the highest score of the day to win Tuesday’s Grade II Individual Test and lead the National Championship field. Hart rode Jessica Ransehousen’s veteran Holsteiner gelding to a score of 73.968% Tuesday on the strength of an accurate forward test.

Continue reading Hart and Lord Ludger Lead 2012 National Para-Equestrian Championships

Rain Fails to Dampen Riders’ Spirits at United States Equestrian Federation Paralympic Selection Trials

Rebeca Hart and Lord Ludger compete under a downpour of rain at the USEF Paralympic Selection Trials. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall

Gladstone, NJ – June 12, 2012 – The weather report for Tuesday, June 12, 2012 predicted 80% chance of rain at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters. Within an hour of competition at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Paralympic Selection Trials/Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships, rain began to crash upon the trees. Riders did not waiver from the schedule and welcomed the rain as a variable to take advantage of. As the second day concluded Rebecca Hart (Unionville, PA) inched ahead of Donna Ponessa (New Windsor, NY), and 2011 National Champion Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX). With only the Freestyle competition left to secure four spots on the United States Paralympic Team headed to London, riders hope to continue earning supreme scores. Currently Rebecca Hart, Donna Ponessa, Jonathan Wentz, and Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor, MI) have remained in the top four of the standings.

Rebecca Hart, 26, and Lord Ludger excelled in the Grade II Team Test earning a 73.968% aboard the Holsteiner gelding. Hart showcased her test when the rain became a downpour but Hart remained determined and relaxed. “I owe my grippy gloves to sticky spray,” chuckled Hart. “The reins get quite slippery in a rain like this and with two whips, and two reins it gets difficult to hold onto everything if it’s wet. However, the rain was not a factor on how LoLu performed.” Having all types of situations occur within an atmosphere like the Selection Trials gives the riders experiences they can grow from before heading to a large show like the Paralympics.

Continue reading Rain Fails to Dampen Riders’ Spirits at United States Equestrian Federation Paralympic Selection Trials

Ponessa Gets Early Jump on Competition at the National Para-Equestrian Championships

Donna Ponessa and Western Rose (Susan J. Stickle)

Gladstone, NJ – The level of competition was extremely high Monday, as six combinations scored over 70% in the National Para-Equestrian Championships which are being held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials. So with both a national title and spots to compete in London on the line, all competitors put forth their best efforts. FEI Team Tests were ridden by all 24 combinations in their respective grade, with Donna Ponessa and Western Rose jumping out to an early lead.

Ponessa was the final rider of the day with Wesley Dunham’s Western Rose earning a score of 73.725%. The nine-year-old Oldenburg mare demonstrated a solid walk gait, which Ponessa showcased by riding a very accurate 1a Team Test.

The New Windsor, NY resident was very pleased with her horse’s effort today but she expects nothing less of the talented mare.

Continue reading Ponessa Gets Early Jump on Competition at the National Para-Equestrian Championships