Thousand Oaks, CA – May 19, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank Kentucky Equine Research whose offices in Versailles, KY will house the ten United States Para-Dressage Team horses prior to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This opportunity allows the horses a week to relax from travel before their debut at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY.
The USPEA is grateful to the entire Kentucky Equine Research group especially Founder and President Joe Pagan. Hope Hand, President of the USPEA noted, “We are so thankful that Joe and the Kentucky Equine Research facility are lending their facilities to us prior to the World Equestrian Games. The World Equestrian Games will be our first competition as the United States Para-Equestrian Team, so we want to make sure our horses are ready to perform to the best of their ability. The Kentucky Equine Research team is an important factor in our Road to Kentucky.”
Kentucky Equine Research has long been affiliated with top equestrian athletes. With the proper training, care, management, and nutrition, high performance horses will perform better and maintain their peak condition. Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research and consultation company serving both the horse producer and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry’s knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Bridging the gap between the equine nutrition research and its applications benefits every animal, equestrian professional, and horse enthusiasts.
On an international stage, KER’s founder and president Dr. Joe Pagan has overseen the nutritional needs of world-class horses at several international competitions, including four Olympics Games (1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2008 Hong Kong) and two World Equestrian Games (WEG, 2002 Juarez, 2006 Aachen).
“The folks at KER want to show the southern hospitality Kentuckians are known for during WEG,” commented Kim Brown, a representative of KER. “What better way than to open our homes and farm to the US Para-Dressage team? We also will host the Australian team after WEG for a bit before they go back home.”
KER is working to finish construction of a great facility to share with the United States Para-Dressage team prior to WEG and the Australian team after WEG. Brown noted, “We have a covered arena with lights, an outdoor arena, and new barn facilities for our guests, as well as lots of space on the farm to take a nice hack or have some turn-out time.”
Brown added, “The Para-Dressage competitors are great ambassadors for the horse industry, reaching out to many people who never thought horses could be a part of their lives, and being an inspiration to us all.”
The Para-Equestrian discipline debuts at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games starting October 5, 2010, at 8:30 AM with Individual Team Tests. The competition continues through October 9, 2010.
About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:
The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with physical disabilities specifically dressage. Each rider or driver competes under the eighth discipline, The Para-Equestrian discipline, of the United States Equestrian Federation. This year at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games the Para-Equestrian discipline will make history. The USEF High Performance Para-Equestrian Dressage team will compete as an FEI sport for the first time at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, KY.
The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. Riders compete under the USEF rules during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport.
For more information about the USPEA or for donation opportunities, please contact Hope Hand, President of the USPEA, email Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.
To view online information about the USPEA please visit http://www.USPEA.org.
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