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United States Para-Equestrian Association

For Immediate Release:Written by: Lindsay Y McCallPhotos by: Lindsay Y McCall

Releases and Photos available at:www.USPEA.org

Media Contact: Hope Hand3940 Verde Vista Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360E-mail: [email protected]

(610) 356-6481

Para-Equestrians Rise to the Top on Inaugural Dayof 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials and

National ChampionshipsGladstone, NJ -June 11, 2012- The inaugural day of the 2012 United States Equestrian Federation(USEF) Paralympic Selection Trials and Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championshipskicked-off in Gladstone, New Jersey on June 11. Twenty-four riders competed at the United StatesEquestrian Team Foundation headquarters with 23 striving to capture one of the four spots on theUnited States Paralympic Equestrian Team. Running concurrently with the Selection Trials is the2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. Scores for the Selection Trialsand National Championships are calculated over three days using 40% of the Team Test, 40% ofthe Individual and 20% of the Freestyle Test Score to achieve an overall score. On the first day ofcompetition six riders posted scores over 70% with Donna Ponessa of New Windsor, New York

Para-Equestrians Rise to the Top on Inaugural Day of 2012 US... https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe...

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leading the pack with Wes Dunham's horse Western Rose. Only a percentage point behindPonessa was Jonathan Wentz of Richardson, Texas. The third athlete to rise to the top was 2008Paralympian, Rebecca Hart of Unionville, Pennsylvania.

Donna Ponessa and Western Rose

Donna Ponessa stepped forward as the last rider of the day to compete in front of FEI Ground Jurymembers, Carlos Lopes (5*) POR, Anne Prain (5*) FRA, and Marc Urban (5*) BEL. Ponessa

entered the ring aboard Western Rose with anunyielding walk down centerline. This would bePonessa's second trip into the ring after anoutstanding 71.569% score aboard PG Ganda,owned by Vinceramos Thereapeutic RidingCenter. As the Grade Ia rider navigated her testaboard Western Rose she remained determined. Her efforts resulted in the top score of the day,73.725%, and a loud cheer from the crowd.Ponessa noted, "Rosie really gave it all she hadtoday, she is a very special horse. PG Ganda didgreat for me as well. He was just shipped up from

Florida and we have been working to get him fit and working to get to know each other better. I lookforward to tomorrow and plan on working on my consistency and ability to relax. It has taken a teamof people to get to this week including my trainer Wes Dunham, Woodstock Stables in Millbrook,NY, Sue and Kevin Niblo, Bang & Collins PR, and Marshall & Sterling Insurance. I want to thankeach person for allowing me this opportunity."

Clipping the heels of Ponessa was 2011 Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion and 2010World Equestrian Games participant, Jonathan Wentz. Wentz rode Dr. Michele Miles' horseSilvano to an outstanding 72.727%. He would follow Silvano's performance achieving a 72.500%


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on North Texas Equestrian Center's Richter Scale.

Jonathan Wentz and Silvano


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Jonathan Wentz and Richter Scale

"Richter Scale has been great, he is my solid rock. I know I can hop on him at any moment duringthe week and he will give me the same accurate test that he performed today, smiled Wentz." Overthe last few months Kai Handt and Jonathan have ramped up NTEC Richter Scale's program. Fromdaily exercise on the treadmill, trail rides, and consistent training, Richter has become a fit andathletic Dressage horse.


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Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger

Only three months ago Dr. Michele Miles purchased the ex-World Cup Jumper, Silvano. Withoutstanding gaits, a sound mind, and his sensitivity Silvano looked to be a perfect match forJonathan. Dr. Miles has delightfully allowed Wentz to tour Silvano as he competes for a spot on theLondon Paralympic team. "I am so thankful to Dr. Miles, my trainer Kai Handt, Equine Express, andmy family for being a part of this journey," commented Wentz. "Kai has given me four world-classmounts to campaign this year across the country and to be able to pick from four horses wasunexpected. I know with Kai that if something may happen to one of my horses we would findanother horse and keep on moving."

By coincidence the top three riders of the first day of competition also represent the top three Gradelevels in Para-Equestrian classification.Grade Ia (most severely impaired), Ib, II,III, IV (least impaired). Ponessa capturedGrade Ia with Western Rose and PGGanda, Wentz dominated Grade Ib withSilvano and NTEC Richter Scale. Rebecca Hart topped Grade II with LordLudger, followed by Dale Dedrick of AnnArbor, Michigan aboard Bonifatius, andagain Rebecca Hart with Carlingford's Taldibehind Dedrick. Both of Rebecca Hart'shorses are owned by three-time OlympianJessica Ransehousen who has graciouslyloaned her horses, her training, and hersense of humor to Hart alongside USPara-Equestrian Chef d'Equipe MissyRansehousen.

Since 2006 Hart has earned four NationalChampionships, participated at the 2010World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY,and she was on the 2008 Hong KongParalympic Team. During the SelectionTrials Hart has been riding Carlingford'sTaldi who is new to the Para-EquestrianDressage World. Hart explained, "Taldi isrelatively new and is an ex-eventer. UnlikeLo Lu, I cannot use any adaptive equipment with Taldi. What's great is that I get to spend a lot oftime in the saddle figuring out each horse and determining my strengths and weaknesses on eachhorse. Taldi just needs a little more mileage which is why we brought him here in front on theseInternational judges. It will be nice to see what they have to say over the weekend and how he ratesinternationally."

Even as a seasoned competitor Hart continues to be thankfulfor the large amount of support she has received. From herown family, to the Ransehousens, to Nutrena, to her newsponsor Starbucks, Hart is grateful to participate in the sport


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that has grown as she has grown over the last 10 years.

Following Grade II was Grade III Team Test led by WendyFryke of Parker, Colorado. Fryke and her WesphalianStallion, Lateran, have recently received their two scores for aUSDF Silver Medal in able-bodied Dressage. Frkyeexplained, "For Lateran to perform his best in the

Para-Equestrian tests we like to work on our Fourth-Level able-bodied tests. Fouth-Level requiresmore collected gaits which allows me more control when I fire him forward in the Grade IIIPara-Equestrian tests, which require more transitions. So when I entered the ring on Monday, I putmy big girl pants on and really went for it. This is the time to put as much risk forward as possiblewithout losing control."

Grade IV Para-Equestrian Mary Jordan attained the top two scores in her Grade with Sebastian,owned by Deecie Denison, and Jordan's own mare P. Sparrow Socks. As Selection Trialsapproached Jordan began a training schedule with Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen and JessicaRansehousen at Blue Hill Farm. Jordan commented, "We have done some wonderful prep beforecoming here including shows in Virginia and Pennsylvania. At first I was driving back and forth fromMaine to Pennsylvania to train at Blue Hill but two weeks ago I took time off work, packed up andbegan focusing on my riding and my relationship with my horses. This whole year has been anamazing experience, including traveling the world to compete as a United States Para-Equestrianteam member. Without my family, Teva Neuroscience, Inc., Blue Hill Farm, and all of my support Iwould not be here at Gladstone."

Wendy Fryke and Lateran


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Mary Jordan and Sebastian

The USET Foundation opened their property and their arms to the United States Para-EquestrianSelection Trials and National Championships. Without the assistance of USEF, the volunteers, andthe Dressage Festival of Champions staff, the Para-Equestrian Team would not have one of themost historical places in the world to host their Selection Trials and National Championships. Frykeagreed, "I want to thank the USET Foundation and USEF for including us within the DressageFestival. It's been an honor to be included in this historic event. This moment shows how far thePara-Equestrian discipline has come in a short amount of time.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012 begins the second day of competition featuring the Individual Test. Horseswill enter the ring at 8:00 a.m. at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation property inGladstone, New Jersey. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Para-Equestrians will begin the excitingFreestyle competition followed by an awards ceremony for the 2012 USEF Para-EquestrianDressage National Championship.

Results from June 11, 2012 Team Test of 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials andPara-Equestrian Dressage National Championships

Competitor-Horse, Horse Owner, (Hometown)---ScoreGrade Ia:Donna Ponessa-Western Rose, Wesley Dunham, (New Windsor, NY)---73.725%Donna Ponessa-PG Ganda, Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, (New Windsor, NY)---71.569%Kim Decker-Dashers Destiny, (Centreville, Virginia)---63.725%Laura Goldman-NTEC Willi Wesley, Kai Handt, (Highland Heights, Ohio)---63.039%Grade Ib:Jonathan Wentz-Silvano,Michele Miles, (Richardson, Texas)---72.727%


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Jonathan Wentz-NTEC Richter Scale, Kai Handt, (Richardson, Texas)---72.500%Margaret McIntosh-Carlingford JD,Trudy Phillips, (Reading, Pennsylvania)---64.318%Laurietta Oakleaf-Niekele fan Busenitz, Joanne Bosma, (Jacksontown, Ohio)---63.561%Margaret McIntosh-Idalgo, owner Janis Smith, (Reading, Pennsylvania)---60.985%Grade II:Rebecca Hart- Lord Ludger, Jessica Ransehousen, (Erie, Pennsylvania)---71.825%Dale Dedrick-Bonifatius, (Ann Arbor, Michigan)---70.238%Rebecca Hart-Carlingsford's Taldi, Jessica Ransehousen, (Erie, Pennsylvania)---67.778%Elizabeth Pigott- One Night Stand, Regina Cristo, (Downington, Pennsylvania)---65.952%Kim Jones-Ghlenlivet, Nancy Lewis-Stanton, (Georgetown, South Carolina)---62.937%Elizabeth Pigott-Whitney's Willow, Melissa Ranseshousen, (Downington, Pennsylvania)---62.302%*Sydney Collier, Otto, (Ann Arbor, Michigan)---61.508%*Sydney Collier will not be competing for the Selection Trials due to the age qualification of 16-years for theLondon Paralympics. Sydney will be competing towards the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage NationalChampionshipGrade III:Wendy Fryke-Lateran, (Parker, Colorado)---67.469%Erin Alberda-Sir Rocco, Melissa Mulchahey, (Woodinville, WA)---54.383%Eleanor Brimmer- Carino H, (Wayazata, Minnesota)---58.951%Grade IV:Mary Jordan-Sebastian, Deecie Denison, Wells, Maine)---68.438%Mary Jordan- P. Sparrow Socks, (Wells, Maine)---64.531%Robin Brueckmann-Radetzky, (Summerfield, North Carolina)---64.479%Lise Yervasi-Brendan Braveheart, (Baker City, Oregon)---57.969%Lise Yervasi-Tailor Made, (Baker City, Oregon)---54.479%

RIDE TIMES FOR THE 2012 USEF PARALYMPIC SELECTION TRIALS ANDPARA-DRESSAGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Tuesday JUNE 12, 2012

8:00 AM 44 Mary Jordan P. Sparrow Socks PE4T8:08 AM 42 Lise Yervasi Tailor Made PE4T8:16 AM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**8:26 AM 23 Elizabeth Pigott Whitney's Willow PE2T8:34 AM 30 Eleanor Brimmer Carino H PE3T8:42 AM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**8:52 AM 31 Erin Alberda Sir Rocco PE3T9:00 AM 32 Wendy Fryke Lateran PE3T9:08 AM 25 Kim Jones Ghlenivet PE2T9:16 AM ***Break*** ***Break***9:31 AM 45 Robin Brueckmann Radetzky PE4T9:39 AM 41 Lise Yervasi Brendan Braveheart PE4T9:47 AM 43 Mary Jordan Sebastian PE4T9:55 AM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**10:15 AM 28 Sydney Collier Otto PE2T10:23 AM 22 Dale Dedrick Bonifatius PE2T10:31 AM 24 Elizabeth Pigott One Night Stand PE2T10:39 AM 14 Margaret McIntosh Idalgo PEIbT


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10:47 AM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**11:02 PM 12 Jonathan Wentz NTEC Richter Scale PEIbT11:10 PM 13 Laurietta Oakleaf Niekele Fan Busenitz PEIbT11:18 PM 27 Rebecca Hart Carlingfords Taldi PE2T11:26 PM 4 Donna Ponessa PG Ganda PE1aT11:34 PM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**11:44 PM 2 Kim Decker Dashers Destiny PE1aT11:52 PM 3 Laura Goldman NTEC Willi Wesley PE1aT12:00 PM 15 Margaret McIntosh Carlingford JD PEIbT12:08 PM ***Break*** ***Break*** **Break**1:08 PM 26 Rebecca Hart Lord Ludger PE2T1:16 PM 11 Jonathan Wentz Silvano PEIbT1:24 PM 5 Donna Ponessa Western Rose PE1aT

FAST FACTS: 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials andNational Championships

WHAT: Para-Equestrian Dressage Selection Trials for London Paralympics

WHEN: June 11-13, 2012

SHOW MANAGER: Kim Keenan-Stordahl

SCHEDULE:

8:00AM--Tuesday, June 12thClass 21 - FEI Grade Ia Individual TestClass 22- FEI Grade Ib Individual TestClass 23 - FEI Grade II Individual TestClass 24 - FEI Grade III Individual TestClass 25 - FEI Grade IV Individual Test

8:00AM --Wednesday, June 13thClass 31 - FEI Grade Ia Freestyle TestClass 32 - FEI Grade Ib Freestyle TestClass 33 - FEI Grade II Freestyle TestClass 34 - FEI Grade III Freestyle TestClass 35 - FEI Grade IV Freestyle Test

1:00PM --Wednesday, June 13thAward Ceremonies directly following last class

LIVE SCORING:Please visit http://www.usefnetwork.com to find out more about Live Scoringduring the event. Verified scores will be posted to the website approximately every ten (10) minutes.


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LIVE TWEETING: Follow the USEF Paralympic Selection Trials and Para-Equestrian DressageNational Championships results from the USPEA Twitter Account and view the #PARAEQTRIALSfrom @uspea.

ABOUT THE EQUESTRIAN PARALYMPICS (courtesy of FEI)

The Paralympic Equestrian events take place in London, England at Greenwich Park August30-September 4, 2012.

Host nation Great Britain, Germany, Denmark and Canada have qualified the maximum number ofriders and will each be represented by a team of four and one individual.

Nine countries - USA, The Netherlands, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, South Africa, Australia andFrance - have qualified four riders.

The National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) of Singapore and Mexico, which had originallyqualified four riders, returned one qualification slot each and will be represented by three-riderteams. The unused slots were re-allocated to Norway and Israel on the basis of the IndividualPara-Equestrian Rankings of athletes not already qualified with a team. As a result, Norway, whichhad already qualified two individual riders, will be fielding a composite team consisting of threemembers.

New Zealand and Finland will be represented by two individual riders apiece. Bermuda, Argentina,Japan, Hong Kong and Austria have each been allocated one individual slot.Three Bipartite Commission invitations have been issued to Thomas Haller of Austria, Lee Frawleyof the Virgin Islands and Anita Johnsson of Sweden.

The nominated entries will be published on 18 June 2012 and definite entries on 6 August. A totalof 78 Para-Equestrian riders will be battling it out for the 11 sets of medals available. The detailedlist of qualified nations is available here.

SUMMARY: 26 nations - ARG, AUS, AUT, BEL, BER, BRA, CAN, DEN, FIN, FRA, GBR, GER,HKG, IRL, ISR, ISV, ITA, JPN, MEX, NED, NOR, NZL, RSA, SIN, SWE, USA

TEAMS4 nations with 5 riders (team + 1 individual): CAN, DEN, GBR, GER9 nations with 4 riders (team): AUS, BEL, BRA, FRA, IRL, ITA, NED, RSA, USA3 nations with 3 riders (team): MEX, NOR, SIN

NATIONS REPRESENTED ONLY BY INDIVIDUALS2 nations with 2 individuals: FIN, NZL6 nations with 1 individual: AUT, ARG, BER, ISR, JPN, HKG3 Bipartite Commission invitations: AUT, ISV, SWE

Photo Credit: Photographs taken at the 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials/ 2012 USEFPara-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. Held at the United States Equestrian Team


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Foundation property in Gladstone, New Jersey June 10-13, 2012. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall for theUnited States Para-Equestrian Association.

*All logos, phrases, and words representing the Paralympics, London 2012, London Olympics,Olympics, and any combination referring to the Paralympics or Olympics are property of the UnitedStates Olympic Committee and the 2012 London Olympic Games.*

Gallery:

Sign for Donna


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Mary Jordan and P. Sparrow Socks


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Dale Dedrick and Bonifatius


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Rebecca Hart and Carlingford's Taldi

Donna Ponessa and PG Ganda


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Margaret McIntosh and Carlingford's JD

Laura Goldman and NTEC Willi Wesley


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Kim Decker and Dasher's Destiny

Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele fan Busenitz


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Margaret McIntosh and Idalgo


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Elizabeth Pigott and One Night Stand


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Sydney Collier and Otto Pilot


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Lise Yervasi and Brendan Braveheart

Robin Brueckmann and Radetzky

Kim Jones and Ghenlenivet


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Erin Alberda and Sir Rocco


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Eleanor Brimmer and Carino H


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Elizabeth Pigott and Whitney's Willow

Lise Yervasi and Tailor Made

About United States Para-Equestrian Association: The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, na9onal federa9on board members, and equestrian enthusiasts.


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The associa9on gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in thePara-‐Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-‐athletes to par9cipate in all disciplines under thepara-‐equestrian umbrella. The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federa9on (USEF) which serves as theNa9onal Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This rela9onship between the USPEA and USEF is toencourage para-‐equestrian compe9tors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and getinvolved with the en9re equestrian sport. Ul9mately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-‐equestrian discipline. From growth in thenumber of par9cipants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to interna9onal Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-‐equestrians theknowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the Interna9onal Olympic CommiPee(IOC), the Federa9on Equestre Interna9onale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federa9on (USDF), and USEFwhich 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 fundingto the Para-‐Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federa9on(USEF). For more informa9on about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Handby e-‐mail: [email protected] or by phone: (610)356-‐6481. To view an online version of this press release please visit: hPp://uspea.org/?p=23

Photos and Articles Copyright(c) 2011 United States Para-Equestrian Association. All Rights Reserved.If you have received this e-mail and no longer wish to receive any e-mails regarding the USPEA please click on the

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Having trouble viewing this USPEA email? Click here United ......unyielding walk down centerline. This would be Ponessa's second trip into the ring after an outstanding 71.569% score