Rebecca Hart earned a 75.098% with Shroeter’s Romani. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com.
Gladstone, NJ – June 3, 2014 – FEI Team Test day at the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship/Selection Trial for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) showcased the top U.S. Para-Dressage athletes on June 3. The USET Foundation Headquarters, Hamilton Farm, hosted 24 spectacular Para-Dressage horse and rider combinations. Riders had their first opportunity on Tuesday to put their best ride forward for the ground jury including President Kristi Wysocki (4*) USA, Adrienne Pot (3*) USA, and David Schmutz (4*) USA. Seven of the riders earned over a 70% including Sydney Collier (Grade Ib) with both of her mounts Willi Wesley (Warmblood), owned by Victoria Dugan, and NTEC Cuplee (Mecklenburg), owned by Patricia Mendenhall; Roxanne Trunnell (Grade Ia) on her two horses, Nice Touch (Dutch), owned by Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Royal Dancer (Westphalian), owned by Kai Handt; Grade III athlete Angela Peavy and Lancelot Warrior (Hannoverian), owned by Rebecca Reno; Grade Ia rider Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio (Rheinland Pfalz-saar International), owned by Margaret McIntosh; and earning the top score of the day with a 75.098% was Rebecca Hart (Grade III) and Shroeter’s Romani, (Danish Warmblood), owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolos, and Will and Sandy Kimmel. The weather began beautifully for the athletes but as the afternoon came and Ashleigh Flores-Simmons was halfway through her test on Verite SF, a downpour began. Flores-Simmons maintained a steady pace and clean test as the rain continued to drench the arena. As the weather changed an alarm went off signaling lightning right as the last ride of day, Marsha Cullen, entered the arena. After two movements Cullen was given a weather delay but the storm did not look like it would stop. After completing Grade Ia, Ib, III, and IV, Grade II results will not be finalized until 8 AM on June 4. Cullen will enter the ring once again with her horse to complete the Team Test competition on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, June 4, riders will begin their FEI Individual Tests at 8:40 a.m. followed by the Musical Freestyles on June 5. Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes are competing over the week for their chance to secure a spot on the U.S. WEG Para-Dressage Team and a national ranking for 2014. There are nine horse and rider combinations competing solely for the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship, while the 15 other horse and rider combinations are competing for the National Championship and the Selection Trial for the Normandy WEG.
The 2014 U.S. Para-Dressage Team will be led by U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor Kai Handt and it will consist of four athletes and four horses or three athletes and three horses. One team member must be classified either Grade Ia, Ib, or II. A team may not include more than two athletes from any one Grade. Positions one through three on the Short List/FEI Nominated Entry will be filled by the first through third ranked horse/athlete combination from the Selection Trial. If an athlete competes in the Selection Trial on more than one horse and ranks in the first through third placings at the Selection Trial with both horses, the athlete will be named to the FEI Nominated Entry in that athlete’s highest placed position with both horses. The positions that follow will be taken by the next highest ranking athlete/horse combination from the Selection Trial. Position four on the FEI Nominated Entry will be filled either by the next ranked athlete/horse combination from the Selection Trial or by an athlete/horse combination(s) named as a discretionary choice by the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Selectors. If a discretionary choice is utilized for position four then all athletes following the position filled by the discretionary choice will move down one place in the ranking from the Selection Trial up to the maximum number able to be nominated under FEI rules. If a discretionary choice is not used for position four then the remaining positions on the Short List/Nominated Entry will be filled by athlete/horse combinations in order of their ranking from the Selection Trial.
These selections will not be solidified until the competition has completed on June 5 and each ride is reviewed by the Selection Committee.
Also in the festivities during the week, following the Individual Test competition on June 4, The USET Foundation is hosting a Kick Off Party for the newly established Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage. The Challenge was created in thanks and appreciation to the Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation. The Kick Off Party begins at 5 PM at Hamilton Farm and includes Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres. On the final day, June 5, after the Musical Freestyles, the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion and Reserve Champion will be named following the competition.
The awards ceremony will name the top horse/rider combinations in each of the four Grades in addition to the top horse/rider combinations selected for the long list for the U.S. Para-Dressage WEG Team. Also included in the final accolades will be the Sportsmanship Trophy. The Sportsmanship Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Sportsmanship Award at the National Championship. The Sportsmanship Trophy is to be awarded annually to the Para-Dressage Athlete competing at the National Championship who best personifies the high standards and virtues of integrity, sportsmanship, honor, courage, team spirit, good temper and unselfishness. The organizing committee and officials of the competition shall nominate up to three competitors exemplifying the award definition the day before the final awards ceremony. The athletes participating in the event shall vote for the winner (one vote per athlete) once the slate has been announced. The winner will be presented the take-home trophy during the final awards ceremony and their name will be engraved on the Perpetual Trophy that is maintained by the USEF. June 4, 2014, FEI Individual Test competition begins at 8: 40 a.m.
For more information about the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and the Selection Trial for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, please go to USEF.org.
WEG Selection Procedure: https://www.usef.org/documents/highPerformance/paralympic/WEGSelectionProcedures.pdf.
Criteria to Determine Eligibility to Compete in the 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship may be found at: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx.
For more information about World Equestrian Games criteria, please visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx.
For questions about the 2014 Para-Equestrian Dressage season, please contact the USEF High Performance Director of the Para-Equestrian Discipline Laureen K. Johnson at (908) 326-1155 or e-mail lkjohnson@usef.org.
Written by: Lindsay Y McCall
To view an online version of this press release with more photos, 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.