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Para EquestrianFlorida Dressage Season Kicks Off with an International Flair at CDI Competitions Steffen Peters and Ravel during the awards ceremony following the 2012 World Dressage Masters Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle, which they won with a score of 83.70%. (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle) Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Thanks to the efforts of the show management team from the Gold Coast Dressage Association and the Wellington Dressage Classic Association, the 2012 Dressage season kicked off with three amazing CDI events in January and 2 Paralympic Qualifiers. With world-class dressage riders providing an air of European competition, the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Opener CDI W/CDEDI3* January 19-22, 2012, the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*/CPEDI3* January 25-29, 2012 and the 2012 Palm Beach leg of the prestigious World Dressage Masters presented by the Axel Johnson Group set the tone for a fantastic Wellington dressage season. Wellington Classic Dressage once again hosted the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach with International Polo Club as Presenting Sponsor. The Masters proved to be a record setting event for the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, with dressage star Steffen Peters setting the dressage ring on fire with record breaking scores, while the number of spectators also proved to be at an all-time high. “This year’s Masters was one for the record books,” said John Flanagan of Wellington Classic Dressage, Gold Coast Dressage, International Horse Sport, and one of the organizers of the WDM Palm Beach. “The competition was amazing and a record number of people were able to watch this event live, which is a great testament to the strength of our sport in South Florida and the United States.” USA Is One of Twenty-three Nations to Qualify for London 2012 Paralympic Games Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen, Dale Dedrick, MD, Rebecca Hart, Mary Jordan, Jonathan Wentz, and coach Kai Handt, USA Team that earned the needed first place over Canada in Wellington, Florida January 2012 (Lindsay McCall) Lexington, KY – Coming off of a strong performance at the recent Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Team Qualifier for the Paralympics in Wellington, FL USA’s Para-Dressage team has earned a spot at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. “It’s very exciting,” says Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen “I was very pleased with not only the team but with the individuals. They are a good group of people, working hard, and going forward with a good plan in mind.” Team USA bounced back from a 2nd place finish at the Gold Coast Opener CPEDI3* and earned an important victory over Canada in the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge. Details of the competition are available here. Though they are excited to be London bound the USA Para-Equestrians won’t be taking time off before the games begin. There are two more CPEDI3* events on the schedule, one in Katy, Texas and one San Diego, California, and the Paralympic selection trials in June. Team USA earned their qualification by virtue of a Second place finish on the FEI Para-Equestrian team rankings list. Twenty-three Nations Qualify for London 2012 Paralympic Games
As the top three ranked teams at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, Great Britain, Germany and Denmark will each be represented by a team of four plus one individual rider. Canada, the top ranked nation on the Para-Equestrian Team ranking list for countries not otherwise qualified, will also receive five qualification slots. Eleven nations, which qualified through the Para-Equestrian Team ranking list and regional distribution of teams, will be entering teams of four riders. The 11 nations are USA, Netherlands, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, South Africa, Mexico, Singapore, Australia and France. Para-Equestrian CPEDI3* Freestyles Finalize Two Exciting Weeks at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center Jody Schloss (CAN) Grade 1a and Inspector Rebus. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall Wellington, FL – January 29, 2012 – Over two weeks, Para-Equestrian Dressage riders competed in front of F.E.I. judges Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Carlos Lopes (POR), and Marc Urban (BEL) at two CPEDI3* events . This was the first time that Noreen O’Sullivan and her staff graciously hosted two consecutive CPEDI3* competitions (Gold Coast Dressage Opener and Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge) at the beautiful Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. For Para-Equestrian Dressage teams this was the last opportunity to raise the F.E.I. world rankings in hopes of being qualified for the 2012 London Paralympics. For individuals this was a chance to gain input from F.E.I. judges, increase World Para-Equestrian rankings for London, and earn a qualifying score for the 2012 Paralympic Selection Trials. As the evening came to a close on Sunday, 28 horse and rider combinations put forward their best competition freestyles. Participation was far reaching including riders from United States, Canada, Ireland, Bermuda, Mexico, Finland, and Japan. US Para-Equestrian Team Clinched the Win at Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Mary Jordan (USA) and Sebastian (Lindsay McCall) Wellington, FL – United States clinched the win over Canada after earning superior scores in the Individual Test competition at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*. After Thursday’s Team Test results the United States forged ahead in the Team competition. After Saturday’s Individual Tests, the United States secured the win with an 8.14 percentage lead over Canada. First-class dressage is in the air at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center where top Dressage riders in the world are competing at the 2012 World Dressage Masters and top Para-Equestrians are competing at the CPEDI3*. For the Para-Equestrian Dressage riders this show is an opportunity to attain qualifying scores prior to the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials. This is also a chance to acquire feedback before London from F.E.I. judges Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Carlos Lopes (POR). Representing the United States were Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger, Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson, TX, and Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen. United States Takes Early Lead in Team Competition at 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Grade Ib Jonathan Wentz (USA) and NTEC Jabriel. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall Wellington, FL – January 26, 2012 – Week two at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center began for Para-Equestrian Dressage riders Thursday, January 26, at the 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3. Canada and the United States of America went head to head in the team competition resulting in an early lead for the United States. With top scores reaching the 70% mark, the United States showcased their determination and progression over the past year. In addition to the U.S.A. and Canada, other countries represented were Bermuda, Finland, Ireland, Japan, and Mexico making up a total of 29 horse and rider combinations to display their top Team Tests. Representing the ground jury was Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Carlos Lopes (POR). The Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* is an opportunity for riders to increase their world ranking and to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Selection Trials. Representing the United States was Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger and Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson,TX. At the helm of United States team is Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen. Gear Up for 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3* Commencing January 26 NTEC Jabriel and Kai Handt jogging in the rain. Photos © Lindsay Y McCall Wellington, FL – January 25, 2012 – Para-Equestrian Dressage riders returned to the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center for the 2012 Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CPEDI3*. On Wednesday’s schedule was a 3:00 p.m. jog where horses received their F.E.I inspection for the weekend’s CPEDI3*. Riders from Bermuda, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and Canada were on the grounds representing their respective country. In addition to the eleven United States riders who competed at last week’s CPEDI3, were two additional riders, 2008 Paralympian Robin Brueckmann with her horse Radetzky and newcomer 14-year-old Sydney Collier of Ann Arbor, MI. Thirty horse and rider combinations will begin Thursday’s Team Test competition at 8:30 a.m. With one championship under their belt, the Para-Equestrian team from Canada will once again face off against the United States. Representing the United States will be Mary Jordan (Grade IV) of Wells, ME aboard Sebastian, Dale Dedrick (Grade II) from Ann Arbor, MI on Bonifatius, Rebecca Hart (Grade II) of Erie, PA aboard Lord Ludger and Jonathan Wentz (Grade Ib) on NTEC Jabriel from Richardson,TX. The United States team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen. Prepare for the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3* March 8-11 USPEA President Hope Hand (Sitting), Coach Kai Handt (Standing), and Grade Ib winner at the 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale. Photo by: Lindsay Y McCall for USPEA Del Mar, CA – January 25, 2012 – In 2010, Kim Keenan Stordahl and the team at Keenan Productions Events Inc. added to their outstanding horse show the first CPEDI3* at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, CA. In 2012 the Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*, will once again host the international para-equestrian dressage riders March 8-11. Adding to the excitement this year for the CPEDI3* will be $1,000 divided among the top five riders in the freestyle competition in each of the five Grade divisions. Para-equestrian teams and individuals will have the opportunity to showcase their best Team Test, Individual Test, and Freestyle in front of the CPEDI3* Jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Kathy Amos Jacob 5* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5* (SWE). There are only two CPEDI3* events left in the in United States for riders to earn their individual 60% Certificate of Capability for the 2012 London Paralympics. This is the first horse show followed by the Houston Dressage Society CPEDI3* April 26-29. In addition to the horse show there will be a rider’s clinic with dressage trainer Mette Rosencrantz and an F.E.I Para-Equestrian Dressage judge course. Announcing 2012 London Paralympic Qualifier: Houston Dressage Society 2012 Spring Classic CPEDI3*
As President of HDS and the Recognized Show Chair, Kathy Jones is thrilled to showcase Texas hospitality. She noted, “I am delighted to offer the para-equestrian dressage riders one last chance to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympics. In early 2011, para-equestrian dressage rider Jonathan Wentz of North Texas Equestrian Center approached our team to produce a CPEDI3*. Within an instant I knew that a competition that has this caliber of horses and F.E.I. athletes would fit right in with our goals as a dressage society. With the help of North Texas Equestrian Center and Kai Handt this show has been made possible.” Canada Prevails over USA at Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* Lauren Barwick and Off To Paris. Photo © Lindsay Y McCall Wellington, FL – January 22, 2012 – For dressage enthusiasts there is not a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than watching F.E.I. level freestyle competition. As was the case at the final day of the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* where para-equestrian dressage riders exhibited their energizing freestyles and where team and individual awards were presented. Capturing the title of 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* was the Canadian Team followed by The United States Team in second. Topping each Grade division overall was Jody Schloss (CAN) and Inspector Rebus in Grade Ia, Ashley Gowanlock (CAN) and Ferdonia 2 in Grade Ib, Lauren Barwick (CAN) and Off to Paris in Grade II, Eleanor Brimmer (USA) and Carino H in Grade III, and James Dwyer (IRE) with Orlando in Grade IV. Over three days, 23 riders from Bermuda, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and the United States challenged themselves in front of F.E.I. judges Carlos Lopes (POR), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Marc Urban (BEL). The Gold Coast Dressage Opener CPEDI3* is the first of two weekends at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Para-equestrian dressage riders continue to work toward earning their individual and team qualifying scores in anticipation of being selected for the 2012 London Paralympics. |
Lausanne (SUI), 1 February 2011 – Para-Dressage riders from 23 nations have qualified to take part in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The qualification process, which began in October 2010, finished yesterday, 31 January 2012.
Houston, TX – January 24, 2012 – As the 2012 London Paralympics approach, the opportunity to qualify individually as a para-equestrian dressage rider is down to just six months. Before time runs out para-equestrians should consider adding to their schedule the Houston Dressage Society 2012 Spring Classic CPEDI3* scheduled for April 26-29 in Katy, TX. The Houston Dressage Society (HDS) has masterfully planned to produce an impressive CPEDI3* event at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. From the remarkable facilities to the carefully executed show schedule, the HDS is looking forward to hosting many international level para-equestrian dressage riders.
