Press Release from USPEA at Global Dressage Festival Wellington!

Para-Dressage Athletes Prepare for Upcoming CPEDI3* at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and Welcome Back to White Fences Photography and Press Release by: Lindsay Y. McCall Wellington, FL – March 2, 2014- With only a few weeks left before the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI3* scheduled March 12-16, 2014, para-dressage athletes have been working hard preparing their mounts for competition. Over two weekends February 20-23 and February 28- March 2, multiple para-equestrian riders showcased their new partnerships at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) 7 and 8 in Wellington and at the Welcome Back to White Fences Show in Loxahatchee, FL February 20-23. U.S. riders included Rebecca Hart, Ellie Brimmer, Elle Woolley, Deborah Stanitski, Angela Peavy and Canadians Jody Schloss and Robyn Andrews. For many of those riders the weekend shows were the first time riders debuted their new horse/ rider combinations. There are only two U.S. CPEDI3* events left in the United States to qualify for the U.S. Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG.) in Normandy, France. Those events include the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL, March 12-16, and the Golden State Dressage CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA, taking place April 3-6, 2014. Ellie Brimmer and London Swing at AGDF in Wellington, FL. Photo by Lindsay Y McCall The first horse and rider combination in the ring under judge Lilo Fore at The Stadium at AGDF 7 was Grade III rider Ellie Brimmer (USA) of Wayzata, MN, and her brand new horse London Swing. The duo had a well-executed test and Brimmer was excited about how beautifully the partnership came together. She noted, “I was really pleased with my test today. London Swing was just imported from Germany only one month ago. He handled the big atmosphere at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival really well, I give my trainer Rosalind Kinstler credit for getting us ready to show on such a short timeline and setting us up for success as we work towards my goal of qualifying to compete on the U.S. Team at the WEG. It was great to see other new horse rider combinations competing in the para-equestrian division as well and I know we all appreciate how welcoming the whole show management team at Global is to para-dressage competitors.  I think the CPEDI3* this year will be very exciting as we do have a lot of new horse rider combinations working hard to qualify for WEG selection trials. Elle Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks at AGDF in Wellington, FL. Photo by Lindsay Y McCall Following Ellie Brimmer was Grade III rider Elle Woolley (USA) and her own P. Sparrow Socks. In 2013, Woolley attended the U.S. Para-Dressage Symposium held in Maine. During the symposium Woolley borrowed Grade IV Para-Dressage athlete Mary Jordan’s horse P. Sparrow Socks. For Jordan, P. Sparrow Socks was her project that she produced from her 2010 World Equestrian Games horse Paxton Abbey. Jordan saw the connection that Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks had and Woolley was excited to move forward within the Para-Dressage discipline and purchased the mare for competition. The AGDF 7 was the first big Para-Dressage show for duo Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks. “I couldn’t be more thrilled with my first day out there,” smiled Woolley. “I had no idea what to expect and my horse really stepped up for me. She knew she was performing and our scores reflected it. I’m very proud of her. The second day, I was just spent and so was my horse and our scores reflected that. I’m still so pleased with the overall weekend. I know now exactly what our homework is, where we need work, and I’m going to have to bring that extra energy. I know what to expect at the coming CPEDI3* and I am very confident about it.” Deborah Stanitski and Tiramisu at AGDF in Wellington, FL. Photo by Lindsay Y McCall Former eventer and pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Deborah Stanitski, MD of Charleston, South Carolina and her horse Tiramisu were also experiencing one of their first big para-dressage shows over the weekend. Stanitski commented, “I was happy with my Grade II (team?) test but there was also room for improvement. I am looking forward to my first international Para-Dressage show at Global in the middle of March.” Paralympian Jody Schloss and her veteran mount Inspector Rebus had two consist days at the Wellington horse show. Jody was happy with the weekend’s outcome and looks forward to showing at the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* alongside her Canadian teammates. Jody Schloss and Inspector Rebus at the AGDF in Wellington, FL. Photo by Lindsay Y McCall During the same weekend, Welcome Back to White Fences in Loxahatchee, Florida, hosted a full Dressage and Para-Dressage show. Two-Time Paralympian Rebecca Hart (USA) and Canadian Robyn Andrews participated in the Para-Dressage Test of Choice. This show was the first debut of Grade II Rebecca Hart’s new horse Schroeters Romani. The duo had an outstanding individual test scoring a 77.571% on their first day. Hart purchased Romani, an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, with the help of Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Hart’s family, William and Sally Kimmel and Sycamore Station Equine Division. Rebecca Hart noted, “I am super excited about Romani. I am honored and humbled to be able to get to ride this horse. We have the best support team behind us and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity. It wouldn’t have been possible with out them. It was fantastic to go out and be as successful as we were on our first competition together.  I am really looking forward to the future and continuing to grow as a team.” Para-Dressage riders continued to compete in AGDF 8 Palm Beach Derby February 28 – March 1, including Robyn Andrews (CAN) aboard Fancianna; Deborah Stanitski (USA) and Tiramisu; Angela Peavy (USA) with her three horses Ozzy Cooper, Stuart Little, and Lancelot Warrior; and Ellie Brimmer competed with London Swing earning a 71.875% in their Freestyle. Scheduled March 12-16, 2014, Para-Dressage riders from Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV will be participating in the AGDF 10 CPEDI3* held at The Stadium in Wellington, FL. This FEI qualifier for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is one of the last two U.S. qualifiers before the WEG selection trials. To learn more about the Adequan Global Dressage Festival please visit GlobalDressageFestival.com. Results: AGDF Week 7 Day One Jody Schloss and Inspector Rebus KWPN Grade 1a Team Test 70.652 Elle Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks grade III Individual Test 68.659 Ellie Brimmer and London Swing Grade III Team Test 64.868 Deborah Stanitski and Tiramisu Grade II Team Test 64.853 AGDF Week 7 Day Two Jody Schloss and Inspector Rebus KWPN Grade 1a Individual Test 70.217 Ellie Brimmer and London Swing Grade III Individual Test 67.927 Deborah Stanitski and Tiramisu Grade II Team Test 67.353 Elle Woolley and P. Sparrow Socks grade III Team Test 62.895 AGDF Week 7 Day Three Deborah Stanitski and Tiramisu Grade II Individual Test 63.857 Welcome Back to White Fences I February 21 Robyn Andrews Fancianna Team Grade 1a Test 70.217 Welcome Back to White Fences I February 22 Rebecca Hart Schroeters Romani Grade II Indiviudal 77.571 Robyn Andrews Fancianna Individual Grade 1a Test 69.348 Welcome Back to White Fences I February 23 Rebecca Hart Schroeters Romani Grade II Team 70.882 Robyn Andrews Fancianna Freestyle Grade 1a Test 71 %

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:  The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation 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.