Becca's Article In Kennett Paper!!

Here are the two Pics of the actual article in the Kennett Paper.

In order to read the article PDFs, please go to our website and look at the link under Becca's bio, as I can't upload the PDF's directly here.

SPOTLIGHT ON HUGH KNOWS

Becca Hart and Hugh Knows
Photo Credit USPEA

Hugh Knows is a 1996 Irish Sport Horse gelding who competed very successfully through the CCI4* level with international rider Karen O'Conner.

"Hugh" came to Blue Hill in early 2011 to begin his new career as a dressage horse. Hugh has competed at second level with scores through 70% as well as in two Wellington, FL CPEDI3* with Grade II Paralympian Rebecca Hart.

Blue Hill is deeply appreciative of the generosity of owner Jacqueline Mars and the O'Conner event team for the opportunity to have such a fantastic horse in our program!

Hartpury Festival of Dressage

Hartpury's Beautiful Outdoor Rings!

James and Jessica attended the Hartpury Festival of Dressage last weekend as a mandatory outing prior to the Olympics.  Jess sent me several pictures of the facility, where the Para teams competed this past weekend!  An excerpt from their website states:

"We are also in for a very special treat in the FEI CPEDI*** sections, Hartpury has been asked to make this into a very special Para outdoor competition this year, the new surface on the International outdoor arena is the same as the London surface, plans are afoot for extra flowers and dressings to give the athletes a real atmosphere as a dress rehearsal for London 2012. 4 other countries are already making inquiries so the international battle is on."

And the Indoor was Just As Impressive!

Jess was thrilled with James' performance, as he finished 3rd on his Team Test, just behind Sophia Wells who is the medal winner from England!  He also scored his personal best with a 69.774 in his individual test, taking third as well & a highly competitive field of riders.  Perfect practice for the big event!! 


To see all the scores from the weekend, please go to the Hartpury website, and check back soon for more updates!

James' Road to the Olympics!!

Downs Equestrian Center

James is living a fabulous adventure on his road to the Olympics!!  I just received a note from Jessica that they were in good hands with James Luck (horse transporter extraordinaire) and they sent photos of  their accommodations at Downs Equestrian Center (home of international event rider, Alberto (Albee) Guigni.  The yard is located in the heart of Wiltshire, near Lambourn.

Ben's Stall is Second on Left!

"We arrived yesterday at Hartpury! 

Ben looks great and the rest of the Irish Team arrived shortly after we did yesterday. We rode this morning and  the jog is this afternoon! This is the picture of the outdoor competition arenas! We will be riding out here tomorrow and in the main Indoor arena on Friday for the Freestyle!!

It was such fun seeing so many of our friends!! The Canadian Olympic Team is here and Robert Dover is helping with the coaching! The British Olympic Team is here as a warmup for the Olympic Games and I always love seeing Carl Hester!!!

In the Para division there are about 39 riders, but 20 of them are British! The Irish have their team plus two alternates.  The weather is cold and rainy not at all the way it is at home!"


Jessica has promised to keep up with the photos and reports from the UK, so we can continue to follow James' progress.  Good luck James!!

TEAM IRELAND IS OFFICIAL!!!

IRELAND'S PARA EQUESTRIAN TEAM CONFIRMED FOR 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES IN LONDON

(28 Jun 2012 HORSE SPORT IRELAND PRESS RELEASE) HORSE Sport Ireland has confirmed that the horses and riders to represent Ireland at the Paralympic Games in London have been ratified by the Paralympic Council of Ireland.

This will be the first time Ireland has qualified an equestrian team for Paralympic Games. The selected combinations in alphabetical order are:

Eilish Byrne/Youri
James Dwyer/Orlando
Helen Kearney/Mr. Cool (ISH)
Gerry Savage/Blues Tip Top Too

Reserve
Rosemary Gaffney/Aldham Mill Dubloon

Speaking after the announcement Dara Kearney, Chef d’Equipe for Team Ireland Equestrian's Para Equestrian team, said that the riders were really looking forward to the games.

“Obviously it is very disappointing for the riders who did not make the team and it was a very close call with some riders missing out very narrowly. The team will be going to the three star competition in Hartpury in the UK next week as part of the preparation for the games which will be an ideal dry run for London” she said.

"On behalf of the whole squad I'd like to thank everyone who supported us on our journey to this milestone," she added.

The Para Equestrian dressage competition takes place in Greenwich Park London from August 30th to September 4th.

Keep up to date on all the Paralympic news on this official website!

Ann Romney Awards Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger

Ann Romney Awards Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship Trophy at USEF Dressage Festival of Champions


Gladstone, NJ -June 26, 2012 - After earning the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship title on June 13, 2012, Rebecca Hart, 26, of Unionville, PA, and Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen, were invited back to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation's headquarters at Hamilton Farm. In front of a congregation of press, spectators, and top Olympic Dressage athletes, Hart was awarded the perpetual Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship trophy from presenter Ann Romney. Romney has been a long supporter of Dressage, as an owner and athlete and she is a spokesperson for Multiple Sclerosis, which is one of the many diagnoses that specific para-equestrian athletes face.

Ann Romney Awards Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger 2012 US... https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_previe...

Rebecca Hart receiving 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship award from Ann Romney during the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Photograph taken in Gladstone, NJ (c) Susan Stickle at SusanStickle.com.


In the moment that Rebecca Hart was awarded the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National championship trophy, she felt honored and humbled to represent the sport she has advocated for since 1998. Hart will add this National Championship to a list of accomplishments that she has achieved since 2003. In 2003 and 2007 she represented the U.S. at the Para-Equestrian World Championships, in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 she won the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and earned the reserve championship in 2010. In 2008 she represented the U.S. at the Beijing Paralympics, and in 2010 she represented the U.S. again at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.


Hart expressed, "I have been asked how it feels to have won the National Championship five times. My answer is that it feels great, but I didn't win this alone. It takes a village to compete on this level and this win belongs to everyone who has ever helped me to get this point; From the person who offered the smallest word of encouragement, to family, friends, coaches, and corporate sponsors. I was truly honored to be asked to come back for the awards ceremony and presentation at the able-bodied USEF Grand Prix National Championships and selection trials with Ann Romney. It is fabulous for Dressage to be brought into the limelight and in conjunction, Para-Equestrian Dressage.


Gladstone is steeped in history and to have my sport included in that history is truly special. Mrs. Romney was so gracious as a presenter. It was inspiring to have Mrs. Romney present this award because not only is she herself a fellow equestrian, but she also knows what it means to work with physical challenges."


In 1998, Ann Romney was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As an alternative to her

mainstream treatments she began participating in Dressage. As with many equestrians, she jumped head first into the equestrian sport and never looked back. In 2005 she earned her USDF Silver Medal and in 2006 her Gold Medal. While working with trainers Jan and Amy Ebeling she developed a desire to achieve the top of the sport. 


In 2012 at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions her horse Rafalca, co-owned by Amy Ebeling and Beth Meyers, earned the third position with rider Jan Ebeling on the 2012 USEF nominated entries for the United States Olympic Dressage Team.


As Para-Equestrian Dressage and able-bodied Dressage intertwined at historic USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, NJ property, spectators began to learn more about the sport of Para-Dressage. Rebecca Hart trains week in and week out while she maintains a full-time job in corporate at the Starbucks Coffee Company. She trains with Para-Dressage Chef d'Equipe and prominent Event rider Missy Ransehousen, alongside Olympian Jessica Ransehousen at Blue Hill Farm. Hart was born with Familial Spastic Paraplegia, a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and lack of control from the waist down. Her ability to overcome obstacles has transformed her into an award winning international athlete in both Para-Dressage and able-bodied competition. In the future Hart hopes to reach the top of the Dressage discipline. On June 19, 2012 Rebecca Hart was named to the top of USEF Nominated Entry for U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team for the 2012 Paralympics.


Full Para Press Release

Para Rider Spotlight - Gigi McIntosh!

Margaret "Gigi" McIntosh
DOB March 24, 1955
Riding for 50 years!

Horse: Idalgo
16 y.o. Selle Francais
Owned by Janis M. Smith

Gigi broke her neck in the spring of 1999 while riding in an event, resulting in incomplete quadriplegia.

Initially paralyzed from the chest down, she is eternally grateful for having the opportunity to regain her mobility!

Gigi had extensive riding experience before her accident:
1970-1976 Working student for May and Denny Emerson
1976-1979 Working student and barn manager for Gunnar Ostergaard and Ellin Dixon
1979-1983 Working student/groom George Theodorescu in Sassenberg, W. Germany

Gigi & Hobbs at the 2012 Selection Trials
Photo Credit Lisa Thomas

From 1987 through 1999 Gigi evented several lovely horses with lots of help from Bruce Davidson, culminating in completing the CCI*** and CCI**** at Rolex Kentucky 3-Day in 1997 and 1998!

Six months after her accident, she started to ride with Jane Cory, the owner of the Cort Center for Therapeutic Riding at Pleasant Hollow Farm in Pleasant Valley, PA.

She initially asked Missy and Jessica Ransehousen for help just before the WEG in 2010 and has been lucky enough to enjoy their expertise ever since. This past year has been a whirlwind of qualifications for the London 2012 selection trials, including successful trips at back-to-back CPEDI ***s in Wellington, FL, as well as shows at Morven Park and Dressage at Saratoga.

Married, since 1983, with two grown children, Charlotte (27) and Cameron (25), her husband, Brian, is a retired Banker.

You can check out Gigi's bio on our website along with the slideshow from the Selection Trials!