Tag Archives: Para-Equestrian

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian, USEF

Strong Field Set to Vie for 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

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Rebecca Hart 2010 National Champion. Photo by Fire and Earth Photography

Lexington, KY – A star-studded field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations is set to contest the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship this weekend in Saugerties, NY. Held September 16-18 during the NEDA Fall Festival elite competition will be held in Grades 1a- IV. These championships are held in conjunction with the Saugerties CPEDI3*, which will host riders not only from the U.S. but also Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and Mexico.

Competitors will ride three different test within their grade, the horse-and-rider combination with the highest final score will be crowned 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The Team Test and Individual Championship Test will both count for 40% of the overall score; the final 20% of the cumulative score will be determined by the Freestyle Test.

Seven members of the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team that competed at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will contest these championships. Jonathan Wentz, Kim Decker, Laura Goldman, Mary Jordan, Rebecca Hart, Robin Brueckmann, and Wendy Fryke look to utilize the experience they gained last fall in Kentucky.

Hart is among the most decorated athletes in para-equestrian competition, having represented the U.S. on both the World Championship and Paralympic stage. She prepared for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by winning both champion and reserve honors at last year’s National Championship. She will try and claim her fifth championship in six years; she was also the winner of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 National Championships, with Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, Para-Equestrian

Freestyle Gold Medals Bring British Haul to a Magnificent Eight

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Denmark's Stinna Kaastrup and Labbenhus Snovs added Freestyle Grade Ib gold to Team and Individual silver at the FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships 2011 at Moorsele, Belgium yesterday. Photo: FEI/Liz Gregg.

Moorsele (BEL), 5 September 2011 – With the Team and three Individual titles already under their belt, the British brought their gold medal haul to a magnificent eight when adding victory in Freestyle Grades Ia, II, III and IV to their tally on the final afternoon of the FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships 2011 at Moorsele in Belgium yesterday.  Only Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup prevented them from making it a complete whitewash in the closing stages of the event that produced fantastic competition and presented many new stars of the future.

It was one of the stalwarts of the sport who took the first Freestyle title on offer in Grade Ia when British veteran, Anne Dunham, claimed top of the podium after a test with the ever-reliable Teddy that earned her a personal best score of 79.200.  “He was just brilliant!” Dunham said of the horse that also helped her take team and individual honours.  Freestyle Silver went to British team-mate Emma Sheardon with Purdy’s Dream on a score of 74.100 while Sweden’s Anita Johnsson and Donar took bronze with 73.950, heading a strong challenge from Helen Kearney who became the first-ever Irish rider to claim a medal at the FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships the previous day. The 22 year old competitor, who hails from Dunlavin in County Wicklow and who only began riding three years ago, took Individual bronze in Grade Ia, and Irish Chef d’Equipe, Naomi Donoghue, said afterwards, “It was a tremendous day for Helen and the Irish Para Equestrian squad.  We have achieved our first European medal and I firmly believe there will be many more to come.”

CONVINCING MARGIN
Kaastrup won Freestyle Grade Ib by a convincing margin, pinning Austria’s Pepo Puch (Good Boy’s Feeling) into silver medal position ahead of Finland’s Katja Karjalainen (Rosie) in bronze.  The 17 year old Danish rider, double bronze and silver Freestyle medallist at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, lives on Fyn, the third-largest of Denmark’s islands, and she trains intensively with the help of coach Lotte Straarup.  She began riding as a therapeutic pursuit and learned to really enjoy it with her first pony, whom she said, “was very nice, but a bit big!”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, Para-Equestrian

Great Britain’s All-Female Quintet Exceeds All Expectations

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Moorsele (BEL), 3 September 2011 – Britain proved today that they still have the edge and remain the team to beat when it comes to Para-Equestrian Dressage. Indeed, as Britain’s first all-female quintet scooped team gold and 5 of the 15 available medals in the individual test, with three of the grades won by a British rider, there was little doubt left that they are in a league of their own.

Anne Dunham, Great Britain’s most experienced Para-Equestrian Dressage rider who has participated in every Para-Equestrian Dressage event of the Paralmypics since it was introduced on the programme in 1996, went on to win her 15th and 16th gold medals at a Championship (Paralympic, World and European), while new member to the British squad, Natasha Baker, convincingly took gold in Grade II. At just 21 years of age, Natasha is a passionate and determined professional, with four horses on the go and plans for Rio 2016. She has been on a gold medal spree since the beginning of the year, with gold at the national Championships in June, followed by more gold in Hartpury in July and then a spot on the British squad for the Europeans here in Moorsele. She has her sights clearly set one of the few spots on the British squad for 2012, but will be up against some tough competition.

“It’s been a thrilling year for Great Britain to have achieved the success that we have in both Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage. We have exceeded all expectations and now have to focus on getting ready for 2012, both in terms of preparing our athletes and also preparing to host the world’s best equestrians,” said Amanda Bond, Chief Executive of British Dressage, following today’s prize giving ceremony.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, Para-Equestrian

High Expectations as FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships Get Underway in Moorsele

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Lausanne (SUI), 2 September 2011 – The FEI European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships, held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, got underway yesterday in Moorsele with 79 riders from 19 countries set to compete at the Club Quadrille in Belgium.

Great Britain have been the Para-Equestrian Dressage power-house of recent times and are current Paralympic, World and European title holders, but with recent announcements that both nine-time Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson and Beijing silver medallist Ricky Balshaw will not be competing due to injuries, Germany and Denmark will be looking to shift the traditional British domination of the sport.

“Due to the absence of Pearson and Balshaw, outsiders Germany, who finished second at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, and Denmark, who came in third, have a golden opportunity to finally take the European title,” said Quadrille’s founder and Belgian Dressage Champion from 1977 until 1982, Anne D’Ieteren who is also the current President of the Belgian Paralympic Committee and member of the FEI Para-Equestrian Committee since 2010.

Belgium also has a strong team. “Bert Vermeir, bronze medallist in Athens 2004, should be considered a serious candidate for the Grade III medals, despite having suffered a severe injury in Deauville four months ago. Tthe same applies for José Lorquet in his come-back in Grade Ib. And I hope Ciska Vermeulen, one of our rough Belgian diamonds, will wow in her first European Championships,” added d’Ieteren.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Para-Equestrians Get Grant Boost for London 2012

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Gold standard: Britain’s Lee Pearson (GBR), MBE OBE has become a Paralympic icon with nine Paralympic gold medals to his name (pictured at Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games)

Lausanne (SUI), 25 July 2011 – Para-Equestrians bidding to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games can now apply for funding as part of a brand new grant scheme to help with training expenses.

Eurovestech plc, the pan-European development capital fund, has put up a €25,500 grant to support 15 equestrian athletes around the world as they prepare for London 2012.

The grants, which will be distributed by the FEI, will be available to riders who have not won medals at the Paralympics, World Championships or World Equestrian Games since 2004.

National Federations representing Para-Equestrians from smaller nations where funding is limited are urged to apply for the grants. The grants are available both to riders who compete on their own horses and those that compete on borrowed horses.

Interested riders should contact their National Federation with their competition and training plans before 15 August 2011.

“It’s great news to hear of this initiative as the IPC is keen that a great number of athletes get the opportunity to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games across all sports, including Para-Equestrian,” explained Chief Executive Officer of the International Paralympic Committee Xavier Gonzalez.

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Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

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Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech, celebrating the announcement of Alltech as the title sponsor of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - Normandy © MC Chantrait

Lausanne (SUI), 8 July 2011 – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Alltech president Dr Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The agreement represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of EUR 10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder, Dr Pearse Lyons.

“These world championships of equestrian sport epitomise the values that we applaud; passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community in France and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event.”

“The FEI is delighted by the renewal of Alltech’s title sponsorship of the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. “We are proud of the Games’ enduring appeal and are looking forward to an unforgettable seventh edition organised by Normandy 2014’s professional team and supported by an outstanding title sponsor such as Alltech.”

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Community/Charity, Competitions, Events, JRPR, Para-Equestrian

Parelli Natural Horsemanship Student and Canadian Para-Equestrian Lauren Barwick Judges Special Olympics

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Lauren Barwick judged the Special Olympics Equestrian Games in Tampa, Florida, recently and said the event “put a smile on her face.” (Photo courtesy of Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center)

Tampa, FL (May 27, 2011) – Canadian Para-Equestrian Team member Lauren Barwick, a paraplegic who won Gold and Silver Medals in the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, recently spent the weekend in Tampa, Florida, serving as a judge for the Special Olympics Equestrian Games. Barwick, a Four Star Parelli Instructor and a Senior Protégé in the Mastery program at Linda and Pat Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship Program, said the weekend was not only inspiring for her but “put a big smile on my face.”

Barwick, who broke her back in an accident and is paralyzed from the waist down, said she was impressed with the talent and skills of the riders. “As a Parelli student and Instructor I was pleased with the level of horsemanship and the behavior of the horses,” Barwick said. “If only mainstream competitive horses could present themselves as well!  My favorite entry was a young man who was riding a mule. The mule was great and had such an awesome expression; I would have taken him home if I could have.”

Barwick stayed busy during the Special Olympics, judging four dressage classes on Friday, three showmanship and 23 equitation classes on Saturday. “The horses all were presented great and the riders all looked wonderful, from their shined boots, riding jackets, black helmets or cowboy hats,” she said. “I’m very grateful that there are programs and people who are committed to such a great cause.”

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Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting

Elections and Allocation of FEI Championships and Finals

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Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – Carmen Barrera (ESA) and Roberto Luiz Giugni (BRA) were elected chairs of regional groups V and VI respectively by the FEI Extraordinary General Assembly which was held on 6 May 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

The following FEI Championships and Finals were allocated by the FEI Bureau during its meeting on 5 May:

2012

JUMPING

FEI European Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children, Ebreichsdorf-Magna Racino (AUT), August (exact dates TBC)

DRESSAGE

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, Bern (SUI), 8-15 July

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Dressage, EQUUS Foundation, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group

Only Four Days to Vote for America’s Favorite Para-Dressage Equestrian

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Thousand Oaks, CA – March 28, 2011 – In celebration of the eight disciplines competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, The EQUUS Foundation (in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation) established the America’s Favorite Equestrian program.  On March 31, 2011 two Para-Dressage athletes will be eliminated and the top six Para-Dressage riders will move on to round two.  It is up to every person to vote for his or her favorite Para-Equestrian.

These are the eight equestrians listed presently with their rider number in parenthesis.

Jennifer Baker (49)
Jonathan Wentz (50)
Laura Goldman (51)
Mary Jordan (52)
Rebecca Hart (53)
Robin Brueckmann (54)
Susan Treabess (55)
Wendy Fryke (56)

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Para-Equestrian

Canadian Para-Equestrian Lauren Barwick Shines at 2011 Dressage Affaire CPED13*

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Lauren Barwick dominated the Grade II division at the 2011 Dressage Affaire at the Del Mar Horsepark during the CPED13* Para-Equestrian Dressage competition on her two horses Off to Paris (shown here) and Ferdonia 2 (below). (Photos courtesy of Lindsay Y McCall)

Parelli Natural Horsemanship Student Excels

Del Mar, CA (March 23, 2011) – Canadian Para-Equestrian Team member Lauren Barwick dominated the Grade II division at the 2011 Dressage Affaire at the Del Mar Horsepark during the CPED13* Para-Equestrian Dressage competition, riding away with the blue ribbon on Off To Paris and the red on Ferdonia 2 in the Individual Test. Barwick also took home top honors in the Freestyle, riding Ferdonia 2 to first place with a high score of 75.167% and earning second on Off To Paris with a 73.333.

Barwick’s success in the Para-Dressage spotlight has been aided by mentor and coach Pat Parelli, founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. Barwick is a Senior Protégé and mentor in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship’s Mastery Program.

“Lauren is an outstanding horsewoman and has the ability to easily connect with her horses,” Parelli said. “At the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, Lauren had only been riding Off to Paris and Ferdonia for 10 days so it was quite an accomplishment to win first and second in both classes. Lauren knows that building a relationship and developing a great partnership with each horse is paramount, and she is dedicated to putting the horse’s needs first which shows each time she rides.”

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