Rebecca Hart and Schroeter’s Romani. Photos (C) Lindsay Y. McCall.
Wellington, FL – January 9, 2016 – The United States Para-Dressage Team led by Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt dominated the Para-Dressage competition at the $10,000 CPEDI3* in Wellington, Florida. The USA Team included: Grade II Paralympian Rebecca Hart from the United States and Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Barbara Summer, and Bill and Sandy Kimmel; 2014 World Equestrian Games athlete Angela Peavy and Lancelot Warrior, owned by Rebecca Reno, in Grade III; Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 in Grade III; and 2014 World Equestrian Games athlete Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Royal Dancer. Together the team earned a 427.994 score placing them in a favorable position for the 2016 Rio Paralympics. FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes from the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico are competing over the weekend in the 2016 Para-Equestrian Dressage Tour held in The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). The $10,000 CPEDI3* presented by Mission Control, Mane Stream, courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Adequan®, and Nutrena, is the first look at each horse and rider combination aiming for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The Para Equestrian Dressage Tour includes the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 8-10 and the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 21-24, 2016. The FEI ground jury for January 8-10 includes President Kristi Wysocki (USA), Carlos Lopes (POR), and Marco Orsini (GER). Sunday, January 9, is the final day of competition featuring the Freestyle tests. Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt was excited with how the USA team performed as well as the individual success of the U.S. riders.
Kai Handt commented, “The team did excellent and we had a fantastic competition. We moved ahead of Canada and Russia now in the team rankings. If we have the same results at the next show at the end of the month we will move into the top three in the world ranking list. The team really came together well and their scores improved today.”
The U.S. riders last competed at the Texas CPEDI3* and National Championships this fall. U.S. riders swept each grade with top scores that left them wanting more. Handt explained, “Some of the results this weekend weren’t as impressive as they were in Texas; however, our riders were a little more nervous here. They haven’t shown for a while and they came to Florida and are showing in the international arena. They probably were a little more nervous and the added pressure of this being a qualifier at the end of a Paralympic qualifying season. However, they all held it together very well. This year they changed the qualifying criteria up so the athletes had to ride more CPEDI’s to qualify for this. Therefore this is becoming more routine; they are getting more ring time, and showing consistent results.”
Hart topped Grade II with her consistent results aboard Shroeter’s Romani. Hart explained, “I was disappointed with the entrance because we cantered rather than trotting but the rest of the test I was quite happy with. Romani stayed focused with me. I always watch the video after I ride because I know what I feel when I am out there but I want to visualize the same thing. When I watched the video I was very pleased with the whole test. It was an unfortunate entrance but everything from that moment on I was pleased with.”
Romani and Hart continued to bring power and energy to their Individual Test. Hart noted, “That is what we have been working on, energy. Romani is a very smart horse. She is very in tune to your mental state and if I can mentally think forward, my body emulates that, even what I can’t control. I don’t want to say it’s a mind meld but she is very aware of my mental psyche. I use my mental psyche to keep her moving forward. So when something doesn’t go to plan I know why. My body doesn’t always respond the way I want it to, so If I visualize it mentally it helps create the motion I want physically.”
Hart showcased an exemplary free walk in the International arena. Hart added, “Her free walk was amazing. It’s one of those things you desire to feel: the energy from the back to the front with stretching into the bridle. She gives you that feeling of energy. It’s a march and a flow. Even though it’s a long stretch movement, there is so much power in it. It’s one of the reasons we loved her so much – she has such a good walk.”
Hart was a part of Team USA during the week. Hart noted, “I love being a part of the team, especially in a Paralympic year. It’s fun to have the camaraderie with the riders we know while supporting the riders we don’t know yet.”
Hart concluded, “I am so thankful to my trainer Todd Flettrich and Margaret Duprey. This has been an amazing week. I moved down here full time four months ago and Todd has been wonderful with the training, getting me on a schedule, and working with Romani. Margaret has been great with her support as well. I look forward to showcasing my new music in our freestyle tomorrow.”
Grade III rider Annie Peavy also swept her grade with Lancelot Warrior. Her individual test was consistent as her Team test with a few positive changes. Peavy explained, “My individual test was great. Lance felt even more connected. There were things I definitely thought about last night and in the warmup and improved upon today. He felt even more there for me. The heat from the sun was a bit much though. I could definitely tell he was tired by the end but he stayed with me the whole time and he came through perfectly. My favorite part was that I improved the free walk. It felt more fluid today than yesterday. I also enjoyed his medium canter. I always love his medium canters and he loves to do them.”
Peavy added, “I enjoy being a part of the team at this show. I’ve been part of the US Team a couple of times and it’s always a lot of fun. You feel like you want to work for you and your team.”
U.S. teammate Roxanne Trunnell posted consistent results on both days in Grade Ia with Julia Handt’s NTEC Daytona Beach. Trunnell stated, “These last two days went really well with Daytona. We are communicating better. Specifically I really enjoyed his halts in both tests. We’ve been working together to produce the best test possible. I enjoyed riding this weekend and I loved being part of the U.S. Team.”
Individually Hart and Peavy swept their respective grades over both days as did Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio in Grade Ia, Sydney Collier and Wes Dunham’s Western Rose in Grade Ib, and Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, in Grade IV.
Margaret McIntosh and her own Rio Rio took home the blue in Grade Ia with a 72.899%. The duo has been working hard with trainer Missy Ransehousen and the weekend results are showing their determination and abilities.
In Grade Ib Sydney Collier and Wes Dunham’s Western Rose led the grade for a second day. Collier said, “My individual test went super well. We made lots of improvements from yesterday. The medium felt nice and flowy with Rosey. I am so blown away by her and how we get along together. I am so proud of both my horses. I was very proud of Scampano 2 (owned by KCR Dressage LLC) because he stepped it up. At one point they were moving something around the arena and he put his ears up and thought he should focus on that but I got him to refocus on me. I am looking forward to the future with all three horses. I am so lucky that each of these owners trust me with their horses. Without them I wouldn’t be riding these amazing animals.”
In Grade IV 2010 World Equestrian Games athlete Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75, owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, earned her second blue ribbon for the weekend. Jordan commented, “There are many good takeaways from this weekend. I started working with George Williams who is the USDF President. That has been a wonderful experience. I am learning a ton of things and getting some great feedback with his excellent training.
Jordan added, “We have so many wonderful people supporting us, including my family, Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, George and his family, the MS community, and so many more. Around Christmas time my father in law passed away and I wanted to dedicate my efforts to him this week.” I also want to thank the sponsors of this show that made it possible for us to ride in The Stadium. That includes Adequan, Nutrena, Mission Control, Mane Stream, and Rowan O’Riley. It is critically important for us as a country to compete in this atmosphere.”
The Para-Dressage Tour $10,000 CPEDI3*, scheduled January 7-10, 2016, ends on Sunday with the Freestyle competition in The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders will return to Wellington, Florida for the second part of the Para Equestrian Dressage Tour. The $10,000 CPEDI3* is scheduled for January 21-24, 2016.
The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring seven CDIs, including four 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 AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. 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 more information, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.
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: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481