Hart and Schroeter’s Romani. Photo (c) Lindsay Y. McCall.
Wellington, FL – January 9, 2015 – The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* commenced with 13 horse and rider combinations showcasing the Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Test. Para-Dressage athletes from Grades Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV, competed in the Van Kampen Arena at the Global Dressage show grounds. Equestrians from Canada and the United States faced off once again in front of FEI Ground Jury members Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Earning the highest score of the day, with a 73.284% was Rebecca Hart (USA) and Schroeter’s Romani in Grade II. Schroeter’s Romani is 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. Also in Grade II Lauren Barwick (CAN) and her own Ferdonia 2 scored a 72.157%. USA Athlete Dale Dedrick and her new horse Mr. Bockman topped Grade Ib with a 69.333. Also garnering the blue ribbons was Angela Peavy (USA) and Ozzy Cooper in Grade III, Mary Jordan (USA) and Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, in Grade IV, and Jody Schloss (CAN) and her own Inspector Rebus in Grade Ia. Not far in the horizon for these Para-Dressage riders is qualifying for the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian competition in Rio Di Janeiro, Brazil, September 7-18, 2016. This CPEDI3* is one of the qualifiers for the 2016 USEF 2016 Paralympic Equestrian Selection Trials.
Grade II rider, Two-time Paralympian (2008, 2012), two-time World Equestrian Games athlete (2010, 2014), and six -time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion Rebecca Hart is on track for the 2016 Paralympic Selection Trials with Schroeter’s Romani. One year ago, the pair had just started working together. Months later they qualified and were selected for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Team. Hart commented, “It has been a roller coaster of a process to get here. It’s been a whirlwind. We got her (Romani) a year ago before making the WEG team. We knew that was pushing the relationship and rushing it a little bit but she kept doing what she needed to do. We learned a lot from the World Equestrian Games experience. Romani has the talent and the presence for a good international horse. We learned where those relationship holes needed filled and that just takes time. So this year I am much more comfortable and she’s comfortable with me. Now we can enhance the performances and ask for a little more from her. We are now in that exciting stage where I can visualize what our partnership can be so it’s fun to work towards that.” Hart is working together with Missy Ransehousen of Blue Hill Farm and Todd Flettrich of Cherry Knoll Farm maximizing expertise for this partnership.
Following in Grade II for the second place position in the Team Test was Paralympian, WEG athlete, and gold medal rider Lauren Barwick (CAN) and her own Oldenburg Ferdonia 2. Barwick and Ferdonia 2 have been working together to create a harmonious partnership.
Topping Grade Ia was Paralympian and WEG athlete Jody Schloss (CAN) and longtime partner Inspector Rebus with a 68.333%. Earning the second place finish was Roxanne Trunnell and her new partner Westphalian NTEC Royal Dancer, owned by Julia Handt. In third place were Robyn Andrews (CAN) and her own Fancianna, followed by U.S. Air Force Veteran Derrick Perkins and Hanoverian Gracias Juan, owned by Stephanie Dubicki.
Since the 2012 London Paralympics, Grade Ib athlete Dale Dedrick purchased a new partner named Mr. Bockman, took some time off health reasons, and is now back in the Para-Dressage world at her best. Dedrick explained, “My ride on Mr. Bockman today was astonishing. I was really pleased with him. He was the same horse he is at home; he looks at stuff, you give him a thump with your calf and he goes, ‘okay.’ We bought Mr. Bockman 18 months ago but I was quite ill so I didn’t ride for the first year. So in June we went to our first horse show together and now this CPEDI3* is only my 4th show with him. He’s a great horse, very straightforward to ride, and not complicated.” Dedrick had a solid test and had an exceptional free walk. Dedrick commented, “That free walk is my favorite part because it really relaxes him. Even if he gets tense, you just drop the reins and he gets comfortable. He lived out in a field as a pet on a big farm so to him that is natural. I am looking forward to the rest of this weekend and really improving each rider and having a good time.” Dedrick rides with Roz Kinstler in Michigan.
Taking home both second and third place Grade Ib ribbons was 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Sydney Collier and her own Wentworth and NTEC Roulette, owned by Kai Handt. Collier was happy with each of her horses in the team test competition. Collier expressed, “I was really really happy with my tests and it’s always a great learning experience. This is my first time out with Wentworth at a CPEDI in two years because we decided to wait with him and not push him too hard. We really accomplished the consistency that we wanted to with Wentworth in the Team Test. I loved everything about each movement in that test. Roulette was great too. I was really happy with how he went today. I have only ridden him 7 times so it’s still a new partnership for both of us.”
As a WEG Team rider Collier flew back to the U.S. from France only to turn around and head to Baku, Azerbaijan to receive her Against All Odds award at the FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by Longines. She then earned the 2014 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year accolade, came back to the U.S., flew to Texas to train with Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt and NTEC Roulette for a week, then headed to New York to train with Wes Dunham and her horse Wentworth. Finally they headed south to prepare for this Florida CPEDI3*. Collier joked, “I am not sure what state I am in anymore, but this is all worth it and I am having fun doing it. I am especially enjoying training with both Wes and Kai. They have both been amazing working with me and adapting to me body’s needs. I love them as trainers and they make a good team.”
2014 Individual WEG athlete and young rider Angela Peavy, who trains with Heather Blitz, was showcasing her high performance partners Ozzy Cooper and Lancelot Warrior. Peavy topped Grade III with Ozzy Cooper earning a 68.070, followed by Lancelot Warrior with a 67.237. Ellie Brimmer and Hanoverian London Swing rounded out the Grade IIIs with a third place finish. Brimmer trains with Roz Kinstler and Shelly Francis. Athlete Mary Jordan and Oldenburg Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, took home the blue in Grade IV. Jordan and Rubicon 75 began their partnership in Spring 2014 and since their first ride together they have been working with trainer Jim Koford to bring out the best Dressage combination.
The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* continues on Saturday, January 10, with the FEI Para-Dressage Individual Championship Test followed by the FEI Para-Dressage Freestyle Test on Sunday, January 11.
The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* is once again managed by Lloyd Landkamer. The FEI Ground Jury includes Mr. Freddy Leyman (BEL), Mr. Kjell Myhre (NOR), and Ms. Kristi Wysocki (USA). Global Dressage Festival I CDI W/1*/Y/J/P/U25/CPEDI 3* January 7-11, 2015 is presented by Adequan. It features over $50,000 in prize money and is official qualifying competition for: The 2015 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North; the 2015 USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; 2015 AGCO/USEF Junior and Young Rider Dressage National Championships; and the 2015 USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship. It’s also the official qualifying competition for the 2015 Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage Championships, the Great American/USDF Regional Championships and USDF/Dover Adult Amateur Medal Program. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events.
Website: http://www.globaldressagefestival.com
International Coordinator Thomas Baur 561-727-0229
Co-Manager and Secretary John Hoppman 612-799-6381
Co-Secretaries: Teresa Griner, Deb Landon, Peggy Warren, Angela Goodwin-Volpert
Veterinarian on grounds: Palm Beach Equine 561-793-1599
Farrier on grounds: Tony Bucci 561-798-8500
Competition Licensee: Equestrian Sport Productions LLC
Announcers: Nicho Meredith and Cyndi Kurth
Photographers: Susan Stickle at www.dressagephotos.com or susanjstickle.com
Location: The Stadium in Wellington, Florida
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
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.