USEF High Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium a Success
Photos and Article by: Lindsay Y. McCall
Wellington, FL- January 14, 2015 - Following the
2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* select U.S. Para-Dressage
athletes and coaches had an opportunity to attend the USEF High
Performance Southeast Para-Equestrian Dressage Symposium. This symposium
took place January 12-13, 2014, at the Global Dressage Festival show
grounds in Wellington, Florida. Over two days U.S. High Performance and
developing Para-Dressage coaches and riders were immersed in the
international equestrian discipline of Para-Dressage. Topics included
Para-Dressage theory, scales of training, para-dressage test riding,
quality of horse, freestyles, preparation for international competition,
and much more. Demonstrations were given from international athletes in
each of the five para-dressage grades.
Attendees were given a deeper
understanding of requirements and challenges that occur in international
competitions such as the Paralympics and World Equestrian Games. Riders
and coaches took part in lectures and demonstrations from international
Para-Equestrian Dressage judge and trainer Kjell Myhre. Coaches
participated in collaborative coaching working together to bring out the
best in their Para-Dressage athlete.
Day One of the Symposium was
formatted as private sessions with Kjell Myhre helping riders to improve
challenging movements of each grade level FEI test. U.S. Chef d’ Equipe
Kai Handt simultaneously offered training feedback to Para-Dressage
coaches in order to help prepare high performance athletes for
International Level Para-Dressage Competition. Day Two of the symposium
included demonstration rides, test review and more collaborative
coaching opportunities.
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Kjell Myhre talks to riders at the 2015 USEF High
Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium in Wellington,
FL, January 12-13. Photo (C) Lindsay Y. McCall
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Participants included 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Sydney
Collier and her own Wentworth, 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Roxie Trunnell and
NTEC Royal Dancer (owned by Julia Handt), U.S. Air Force Veteran
Derrick Perkins and Gracias Juan, Debbie Stanitski and Biara G., Ellie
Brimmer and London Swing, 2014 WEG U.S. athlete Annie Peavy and Ozzy
Cooper, Pam Hardin and NTEC Roulette (owned by Kai Handt), 2010 WEG
U.S. athlete Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (owned by Vinceremos Therapeutic
Riding Center), and two-time Paralympian (2008, 2012), two-time World
Equestrian Games athlete (2010, 2014), six -time USEF Para-Equestrian
Dressage National Champion Rebecca Hart with Schroeter’s Romani (owned
by Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore
Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolos, and Will and
Sandy Kimmel), and 2014 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Reserve Champion
Margaret McIntosh and Delorean MF (owned by Sierra Keasler).
Margaret McIntosh who rides her own Rio Rio
participated in the symposium on Sierra Keasler’s horse Delorean MF.
Delorean MF was bred by Marydell Farms and is a 6 year-old son of Don
Principe. McIntosh appreciated getting to know this horse and working on
many technical aspects that she can take home to her horse Rio Rio. She
commented, “Caroline Roffman and I went to school together and this
fall we went to the equestrian hall of fame. I knew I couldn’t bring Rio
Rio to Florida and e-mailed Caroline about borrowing a horse for the
symposium. She was
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Delorean MF and Margaret McIntosh at the 2015 USEF High
Performance Southeast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium in Wellington,
FL, January 12-13.. Photo (C) Lindsay Y. McCall
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enthusiastic about the whole thing and her working student Sierra
Keasler jumped in with both feet right away. I am so thankful to Sierra,
Andrea and Shawn Keasler and Caroline Roffman of Lionshare Dressage for
making this horse available for me to ride in the symposium. He’s a
fantastic ride and has a super walk. I enjoyed the symposium and thought
Kjell was so nice and positive. I really wanted to work on the halt. My
trainer Missy (Ransehousen) says to not over analyze it. I tend to over
think the halt not only on this horse but on Rio Rio. We really nailed
the halt with Kjell when he said just sit down in the saddle. I also
practiced my 5 meter serpentines including the preparation for them. I
really enjoyed this symposium.”
International Dressage Judge Kjell Myhre also enjoyed
conducting the symposium. He noted, “I was asked to come to this
symposium and talk about how to prepare for international dressage
competitions and goals for training. I started working with the riders
on the theoretical part and talked about scales of training. As a
trainer, judge, or rider it is important to know basic 3 stages of
riding including rhythm, suppleness, and contact. Then you have too look
at each gait. In a test if there’s good contact, is supple, and the
rider and horse are physically and mentally ready then the rider will
get at least a 6 or 7. Then you look at the pace and the technical
execution. IS the circle too big, small, crooked? If you are precise and
accurate then the rider will go up to an 8. I am not a para-dressage
coach, I am a para-dressage judge. I am not used to telling the riders
what they should do but I can say you need more activity, bend, or
flexion. That is when Kai (Handt) came in and worked with the riders to
figure out what they can try to get those items I mentioned.”
He continued, “I have enjoyed judging these riders
this weekend, “I think they have really nice quality horses and they fit
the riders. What I see is they need more fine
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Kjell Myhre at the 2015 USEF High Performance Southeast Para
Equestrian Dressage Symposium in Wellington, FL, January 12-13.. Photo
(C) Lindsay Y. McCall
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tuning. Some have new combinations and they need the time to get to
know each other. They have a lot to gain on practicing the test, being
aware of what we look for, and learning how to prepare for each
movement. Riders lose points because they are not accurate and do not
prepare. We worked on the serpentine, how to prepare the serpentine, how
to prepare a turn on the haunches, and even in the freestyle the halt
should be on centerline. I suggested to the riders that they should read
more about each movement. For example, what is a run on the haunches,
what is a halt, why do we do that movement? A halt is not stoping. You
should be ready for the next step. In the bigger classes you go from a
halt to a canter or piouffe.”
Myhre concluded, “It’s great to be here. It’s a lovely
location and great show. I hope they manage to keep this para-dressage
competition and I hope there will be more participants. This is the
first time I stayed behind after the show and it’s nice to get to know
the riders a little better because you never get to talk to them, you
only see them from a distance.”
About Kjell Myhre: Kjell has a BA Hons Degree in
Business Studies from University of Stirling, Scotland, UK. He started
his career working for the City Council of Oslo, Department of
Education. In 1998 he was offered a position as consultant for training
and education at the Norwegian Equestrian Federation, and from 2000 to
2010 he had the position as Secretary General at the Federation. In 2011
he stepped down as Secretary General, and left the federation.
After three years working for a small NGO called Hest
og Helse (Horses and Health), Kjell Is now back in the equestrian
federation working as development consultant, mainly dealing with the
riding clubs and their ability to contribute to the main objectives of
the federation - Equestrian sport for everyone!
Kjell started riding at the age of 12 and has competed
nationally up to Intermediate I. He has been a dressage judge since
1990, and became a 4 * FEI judge in 2007. In addition to being a FEI
dressage judge, Kjell is a 5* FEI Para-dressage judge, and has judged
the last 4 Paralympics. Some of his highlights as a 4* FEI judge have
been to judge two World Cup qualifiers, as well as the US Championships
for junior and young riders in 2011, and the European Championships for
junior and young riders in 2013.
About U.S. Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt
Kai Handt was the individual coach for one or more
riders at the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 USEF National
Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships earning
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U.S. Chef D’Equipe Kai Handt talks to the riders about preparing
the turn at the 2015 USEF High Performance Southeast Para Equestrian
Dressage Symposium in Wellington, FL, January 12-13. Photo (C) Lindsay
Y. McCall
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2011 USEF National Para-Equestrian Dressage Champion, 2012 USEF
National Para-Equestrian Dressage Reserve Champion.He was an individual
coach at numerous CPEDI3* from 2009-2014 for multiple riders earning
multiple grade championships, overall championships, and as part of the
U.S. Team, several Team Championships. Handt was also an individual
coach and sponsor at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.
Served as Chef d’Equipe at 2012 CEPDI3* in Wellington for the Japanese
Team, coaching their rider to their first Paralympic Equestrian
qualifying score. Served as Chef d’Equipe at 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico
City, flying to the location prior to the competition to select horses
for the U.S. Team. Held daily strategy meetings with riders and their
coaches, and offered coaching assistance as needed resulting in a U.S.
Team Nation’s Cup win, overall individual reserve champion, and
individual Grade 1a and Grade Ib champions. Individual coach and sponsor
at 2012 Paralympics to the highest placing U.S. equestrian overall at
the Paralympics and Olympics. Handt also assisted riders and their
coaches with equipment and horse training as requested by the rider and
coach at the 2012 Paralympic training camp in Gladstone and in London at
the Paralympics. In 2013, Handt became the individual coach for Derrick
Perkins; the first Para-Dressage rider from the United States Veteran’s
Assistance Program. Handt provided individual training sessions in 2013
with new Para Dressage riders Benjamin Harper, Roxanne Trunnell, and
Ashleigh Flores-Simmons; at North Texas Equestrian Center Also in 2013,
Handt was the individual coach for Para-Dressage riders Benjamin Harper,
Roxanne Trunnell, and Derrick Perkins; as well as selector of
appropriate horses for each individual at each show. All individuals
achieved top scores ranging from 63.478%-73.478% during that show
season. Most Recently, Handt served as USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage
Chef d’Equipe at the 2014 World Equestrian Games held in Normandy,
France.
For more information about the symposium please
contact Laureen Johnson, High Performance Director, Para Equestrian
& Vaulting, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. Phone: (908)
326-1155 Email: lkjohnson@usef.org.
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