Tag Archives: Para-Equestrian

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Steffen Peters – Individual Bronze – USA. Photos by Diana De Rosa

Bringing the World to Kentucky

“What a journey this continues to be,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, as he sat mesmerized by the incredible talent he was witnessing on September 25 as he watched each performer showcase their talents during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It had been four years since Dr. Lyons had made the decision for his company, Alltech, a worldwide leader in animal nutrition, health and performance, to be the first major sponsor of this event.

This day was especially significant and he wasn’t about to miss even one beat of the evening’s performances.

“As the first performers entered the arena, I felt a great sense of relief and a sense of achievement,” commented Dr. Lyons after pausing for a moment to answer the question of how significant it was to have the Games start officially. “That relief wasn’t just for me but for our people at Alltech and for WEG.  We all planned it and our people and the WEG people came together to get the job done.  It’s been a great example of a team effort.  So, how do I feel?  I feel really delighted, especially to see our people really get into it and get involved.”

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, World Equestrian Games

Nations Qualified for London 2012 Paralympics Announced Following Alltech FEI WEG

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13 October 2010 – The FEI has today announced the three nations that have qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games following their medal winning performances at the recently-concluded Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

A total of 11 team slots are available for the London 2012 Paralympic Dressage events, with three nations qualifying from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The three teams that have now earned their tickets to London are Great Britain, Germany and Denmark.

If Great Britain had not qualified in Kentucky, as host nation for London 2012 they would have automatically taken one of the eight further places available, leaving just seven slots to be filled. However, with Great Britain successfully qualifying last weekend, there are still another eight vacancies to be filled.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

United States Para-Equestrians Prepare for WEG Debut at Kentucky Equine Research

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Mary Jordan and Paxton Abbey. Photos © 2010 Kentucky Equine Research.

Lexington, KY – September 29, 2010 – Excitement fills the atmosphere at the Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Facility in Lexington. The KER/United States Para-Dressage Team fielded by the United States Equestrian Federation is in their last week of preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Riders have been practicing their tests, working with their horses and mentally getting ready for the challenge. As the week moves along, the riders will proceed with a mock jog and a mock show judged by Janet Foy.  On September 30, 2010 the KER/United States Para-Dressage team will officially be named for the world to see.

The facilities at KER have given the riders a place to work together.  Hope Hand, Executive Director of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, commented, “KER is like horse heaven; it is unbelievable.  We are in a brand new barn with beautiful big stalls that even include automatic sensors to tell us the amount that each horse drinks. There is a beautiful indoor and an outdoor ring, turnout pastures and the typical Kentucky rolling hills.  The setting for them to train is very calming and a wonderful place to be before entering the park.”

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Art/Photography, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

FEI Photo Exhibition Showcases Inspirational Equestrian Figures

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Alex Hua Tian & Mark Todd (CHN and NZL, Eventing)

9 September 2010 – The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of horse sport, is to unveil an innovative photographic celebration of equestrianism entitled Inspire at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.

Inspire brings together 16 images of inspirational equestrian legends and young talents who represent all the equestrian disciplines on the programme of the FEI’s four-yearly flagship event. Athletes from Jumping, Dressage, Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining are shown in surprising and eloquent contexts, many of which incorporate subtle or playful references to their disciplines. Most of the images unite two people in rural or urban backdrops and highlight the bond of admiration and inspiration between them.

The origins of the athletes are diverse and serve as a reminder of the geographical spread of the 133 National Federations affiliated to the FEI.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian

FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles 2010

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Germany's Heiner Lehrter on his way to securing individual and team gold at the 2010 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles in Breda. Photo: Rinaldo de Craen.

GERMAN PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRIVERS REIGN SUPREME

7 September – German drivers dominated the 2010 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles at Breda, The Netherlands. Heiner Lehrter and Josef Sauerwald took individual gold and silver respectively and they joined up with Hubert Markett to also secure team gold.

At the previous World Championship in Greven two years ago, the Germans were beaten on their home soil by the Dutch.  This time around however the tables were turned as the Germans were strongest on Dutch territory. The host nation took team silver, Great Britain won the bronze and defending double gold-medallist, Jacques Poppen from The Netherlands, earned individual bronze.

Perfect Integration

It was the first time the FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships took place at a regular international driving event, and this new formula turned out to be a great success. The atmosphere was wonderful and all competitors enjoyed the superb competition site at The Prinsenhoeve Estate in Breda.  Every year this versatile venue hosts the only Nations Cup in Four-In-Hand Driving in The Netherlands, as well as an international driving competition for pony teams, an international eventing competition and the Dutch eventing Championships and national jumping and dressage competitions. The FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships was perfectly integrated into the Driving programme. Due of the limited number of competitors – 15 entries from 4 nations – it was decided to create one class including Grade 1 and Grade 2 drivers. Grade 2 drivers have greater functional ability than their Grade 1 counterparts.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

United States Para-Equestrian Association Recognizes Para-Equestrian Horse Owners of 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Rebecca Hart and Kazan. All photos were taken at USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Thousand Oaks, CA – August 23, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association would like to thank the owners of each horse that has been named to the nominated entry for the 2010 United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team.  These horses will have a chance to compete at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (2010 WEG).

As September approaches many equestrians are making their last preparations before their trip to Lexington, KY.  One of the Para-Equestrian Team members is Becca Hart who has been riding her own horse Norteassa and Kerri Sowers’ talented gelding Kazan over the last year.  Both horses have led Hart to the 2010 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and reserve championship titles.  At this point, the horse that Hart will be riding at the 2010 WEG has not been decided.  Hart and Kerri Sowers friendship began at Blue Hill Farm riding under Jessica and Missy Ransehousen.  Not long ago Hart was given the opportunity to ride Sowers’ horse Kazan while Norteassa was resting. Together Hart and Kazan have made a great team.  Sowers noted, “I have been very proud of Becca and Kazan.  Kazan has proven himself in competition time and time again over the years and always has his best performances when the competitive pressure is the greatest! I would like to wish Becca the best of luck competing at WEG regardless of which horse will be chosen.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equine Assisted Therapy, FEI, Para-Equestrian

FEI Award Win Continues to Motivate Haitian Para-Equestrian

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Darlene Milord and FEI President HRH Princess Haya at the 2009 FEI Awards ceremony (photo: FEI)

19 August 2010 – As the nomination deadline approaches for the annual awards organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Haitian Para-Equestrian winner of last year’s FEI Against All Odds Award is calling on the equestrian community to nominate individuals whose efforts deserve acknowledgement.

The Against All Odds Award is given to an individual who has overcome personal setbacks or physical disabilities to pursue equestrian sport. It is one of five FEI Awards that reward outstanding dedication to horse sport.

Orphan Darlene Milord, who was born with the medical condition hemiplegia, has represented her country at the Special Olympics. Her passion for horses evolved from the riding therapy she received as part of a special needs programme at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos orphanage in Haiti.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

Announcing the USEF Para-Dressage Team Nominated Entries for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Mary Jordan and Paxton Abbey at USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Thousand Oaks, CA – July 21, 2010 – On June 27, 2010 the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games concluded. Riders then headed home as they waited in anticipation to hear who would be selected for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  The Para-Dressage team will be lead by Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen whose international experience on and off a horse will be an outstanding resource for the Para-Dressage riders.  Selectors of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Para-Dressage Team are Laura Sheer, Lynn Seidemann, David Schmutz and Sandy Raferty.

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USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships Awarded

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Rebecca Hart Tops USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships with Kazan (pictured) and Norteassa. Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Long List for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announced

Wayne, IL – June 28, 2010 – The final day of intense competition for the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games concluded Sunday.  Earning both the championship rosette and cooler and the reserve championship rosette and cooler was Rebecca Hart.  Hart rode both of her mounts to top honors over the last three days. Hart and Kazan earned the National Championship and Hart and Norteassa earned the reserve championship. Hart was surrounded by top coaches including her trainer and Chef d’Equipe of the USEF Para-Dressage team, Missy Ransehousen; top judges Chris Porterfield (GBR), Lillian Iannone (ARG), and Carlos Lopes (POR); and top competition.

The weekend’s competition was a chance for the riders to not only compete among their peers, but to gain experience in front of international judges.  The three days of Para-Dressage competition included the team test, individual test and freestyle competition.  On Sunday, the freestyle test added the music element to the test where riders showcased their artistic abilities on horseback.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group

Day Two of USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for 2010 Alltech FEI WEG Concludes

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Robin Brueckmann and Raison d'Etre. Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG.

Wayne, IL – June 27, 2010 – It was another beautiful day at the Lamplight Equestrian Center where the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials are occurring for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  Riders and their top mounts entered the arena in front of spectators, their peers and international judges.  The three judges included Chris Porterfield (GBR), Lillian Iannone (ARG), and Carlos Lopes (POR).  Saturday was the individual competition, which will be counted alongside Friday’s team tests, and Sunday’s freestyle tests.  Consistency has been the weekend’s theme with Rebecca Hart earning the blue ribbon and the second place ribbon in the short course test, and Robin Brueckmann earning first place honors in the long course test.  Both riders earned the top ribbons in Friday’s competitions as well.

In Saturday’s long course individual test Robin Brueckmann and Raison d’Etre earned the top honors with a combined score of 66.667%. Most of the competitors Saturday had an increase in their score percentages as Brueckmann did going from Friday’s 65% to Saturday’s 66.667%.

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