Thousand Oaks, CA-June 21, 2010- The United States Para-Equestrian Association would like to announce their qualified riders for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™(WEG) Selection Trials scheduled for June 24-27, 2010. The amount of Para-Dressage participants has tripled in one year, which means more Para-Equestrians are challenging themselves to international competition. The riders making their way to Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois for the Para-Dressage Selection Trials include equestrians that, despite their disabilities, have overcome and adapted to showcase their athletic abilities.
Fifteen United States Para-Equestrians have scores that will allow them to compete at the Selection Trials. Out of those 15, ten of the riders will be selected for WEG. Out of the ten riders, four will make the team, and six will ride as individuals.
Riders qualified for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games’™ Selection Trials at Lamplight Equestrian Center:
GRADE Ia
Laura Goldman
Kim Decker
GRADE II
Becca Hart
Kim Jones
Elizabeth Pigott
Jonathan Wentz
GRADE III
Erin Alberta
Wendy Fryke
Barb Grassmyer
GRADE IV
Mary Jordan
Robin Brueckmann
Kathy Groves
Jennifer Baker
Holly Bergay
Susan Treabess
Para-Equestrian is considered a high-performance discipline among the seven other disciplines in the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF). Therefore, all Para-Dressage riders and horses must meet national and international standards when competing at sanctioned events. When competing in the United States Para-Equestrians compete under the USEF rules and when competing internationally Para-Equestrians compete under the FEI rules. Riders are ranked into Grades, which have been created to allow riders with the same abilities to challenge each other. The five Grades include Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV. Grade Ia represents the more severely impaired riders and Grade IV represents the least impaired riders. For a comparison to regular Dressage, FEI Para Equestrian Grades Ia and Ib are equivalent to USDF Intro Level, FEI Para Equestrian Grade II is equivalent to USEF Training level, FEI Para Equestrian Grade III is equivalent to USEF First Level, and FEI Para Equestrian Grade IV is equivalent to USEF Third Level.
