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.”

KER has been a strong force in promoting and encouraging the newest sport of the World Equestrian Games.  For 2010 they made a decision to sponsor the team and their relationship has gone further than just sponsorship. The team at KER has been extremely accommodating to the Para-Equestrians including organizing open houses and inviting the media into their facility so interviews could be conducted with the riders.

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Susan Treabess and Moneypenny

During the week, riders had their own mock jog in preparation for their mock horse show on September 30, 2010.  Janet Foy will be graciously donating her time to judge the riders during their mock show.  This mock show will prepare the riders mentally and physically to what they will experience on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds.

On October 4, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. the KER/United States Para-Dressage riders will have their official jog at the High Hope Inspection Center on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds. The first day of Para-Dressage competition gets underway on October 5, 2010, with the Individual Team Test. October 6 and 7 will be the Individual Championship Tests and the week will finish with the Freestyle Tests. All five days of competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be located in the Covered Arena.

For those interested in visiting KER, the next open house at the KER facilities will be October 7, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.  There will be a facility tour and an exhibition of the high-speed treadmill used in nutrition and exercise physiology research.

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Jennifer Baker and Kranak watched by Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen

If visitors would like to interview the riders or visit the residences during their stay, they may contact Kim Brown at KBrown@ker.com, or call the KER office at 859-873-1988.

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).

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:
The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with physical disabilities.  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 is a recognized affiliated of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. Riders compete under the USEF rules during their national competitions and FEI rules during international competition 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.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

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