Wentz Obtains 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

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Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale. Photos © Lindsay Yosay McCall

USA Team Achieves First at CPEDI3*

Saugerties, NY – September 18, 2011 – Intensity, impulsion, power are three words that defined Sunday’s Para-Equestrian Individual Test competition at the 2011 NEDA Fall Festival of Dressage. Sunday was the last day of the CPEDI 3* and it was the championship day for the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. After Saturday’s Freestyle only a tenth of a point separated Jonathan Wentz and Dale Dedrick for the National Championship. Following an exceptional day of tests Wentz earned the scores he needed to earn the national championship. Only .308 behind Wentz was Dale Dedrick and Bonifatius who garnered the highest score of the day from Judge E, Anne Prain of France, a 75%. Dedrick’s percentage secured the reserve championship accolade. In the CPEDI3* Team competition Para-Equestrians from USA, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and Bermuda competed in Grades Ia-IV under judges Anne Prain of France, Kjell Myhre of Norway, and Carlos Lopes of Portugal. The USA achieved the top ranking with team members Jonathan Wentz, Mary Jordan, Wendy Fryke, and Rebecca Hart.

Hart was the third place finisher in the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in addition to supporting the USA Team competition. After three days of tests Hart was delighted with Lord Ludger. She noted, “I was really happy with LoLu; this was his first major competition where he had to be on it three days in a row.  He handled the pressure and he even stepped up to the plate for me.”

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Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger

The judge’s cards from Saturday gave the Para-Equestrians big goals for Sunday. Hart explained, “They want to see power, energy, and moving forward. I was there a few times and LoLu said, ‘too much’.  There were a few little bobbles on my test today that I would have loved to fix.  When we were coming into an extension I asked for a little too much and he was like, ‘oh canter’ and I said no trot, and he came right back to me. I also got a little over driving at the walk and I needed to settle because the walk was already big enough.”

Keeping a consistent pace while creating impulsion was important in Wentz’s rides on both horses during the Individual Tests. Wentz acknowledged, “Yesterday I did well on Gabe (NTEC Jabriel) but we went really fast and got a little wild.  That type of ride was not a good foundation to build on to attain our final goal, the Olympics. Today we worked on keeping a slower pace while riding a more precise test and keeping his head up.  We lost some points but it was a good foundation ride to build on.”

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Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Jabriel

Wentz continued, “Both horses today were wonderful and their extensions were beautiful.  Richter was giving it all today and I could tell he was tired.  I had to work hard to keep him nice and forward but I couldn’t get too pushy because there is a fine line between going forward and keeping him supple.”

To continue reading, view an online version of this press release here: http://www.uspea.org/pdf/September182011.pdf.

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.

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