USDF Region 9 United States Dressage Federation Covering the Areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi

Para-Equestrian

For more information about Para-Equestrian, or if your GMO or show is interested in offering Para Equestrian classes contact Hope Hand- USDF National Para Equestrian Committee Chair: ( ) or by contacting USDF at ( ) or (859)-971-2277

Para Equestrians competing in Dressage FAQs:
http://www.usdf.org:80/faqs/paraequestrians.asp
USEF - Para-Equestrian page:
http://www.usef.org/Contentpage2.aspx?id=para

General Information

What is Para Equestrian Dressage? It is a sport where any athlete with a measurable disability can compete on a level playing field with other athletes with the similar disabilities. Competitors can show at a local level to an international level. For more a more details description use the following link http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaEquestrian/about.aspx USEF is the governing body for international competitions.

How do I get started? The 101 of Para Equestrian Dressage will help guide you thru the initial steps in getting started. If you have more questions you can email Lynn Seidemann at lynn.seidemann@verizon.net

Rankings – USEF has finished the new ranking list located at http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allparaequestrian/hpparaEquestrian.aspx Details for getting ranked are listed on the same link.

New Tests - FEI has officially changed the Para Equestrian tests starting 2010. Make sure that you have the new tests.
Grade Ia – Team Test ; Championship Test ; Freestyle ; Novice
Grade Ib – Team Test – Championship Test – Freestyle – Novice
Grade II – Team Test – Championship Test – Freestyle – Novice
Grade III – Team Test – Championship Test – Freestyle – Novice
Grade IV – Team Test – Championship Test – Freestyle – Novice

Getting to Know Jonathan Wentz

Show & Tell magazine caught up with Wentz to talk about his riding and his goals:
This article was reprinted with permission from Show & Tell Magazine, the official publication of Great Southwest Equestrian Center, available in its entirety at: www.GSWEC.com.

Para equestrian Jonathan Wentz is looking forward to a great year. The 20-year-old Richardson, Texas, native suffers from cerebral palsy, yet credits his ability to walk to years of horseback riding. Although his accomplishments last year, including competing as a member of the United States para dressage team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, will be difficult to eclipse, 2011 already promises to be at least as exciting.

This is in part because Wylie, Texas-based dressage trainer Kai Handt has provided Wentz with a new mount, Daytona. The 8-year-old Hanoverian mare is returning to the show ring after having foaled six months ago, and she and Wentz made their debut together at GSEC's Houston Dressage Society Winter Show in January. Despite suffering a fall days before from his other horse, Richter, that sent him to the emergency room, Wentz rode with confidence and poise. He received high scores of 69.53% and 67.73% on Daytona and 67.27% on Richter in the para equestrian test.

Wentz is a frequent dressage competitor at GSEC and other shows around the country. "This is one of the only sports where I can compete with athletes who do not suffer physical handicaps," Wentz said. "It is a level playing field."

QUESTION: When did you begin riding?
ANSWER: I began riding as therapy when I was only 2, and as therapy and sport when I was 5. My mom is a physical therapist and knew that riding horses could help me.

Q: Tell us about your dressage career.
A: I began riding with trainer Kai Handt (in 2008). The first horse Kai let me ride was a horse named Gordon. He was difficult to ride, but I kept coming back. I think it was a test. Kai is a great trainer—he has done so much to sponsor me.

Q: You are currently showing two horses. How are Daytona and Richter alike or different, and are there differences in the way you ride each horse?
A: Daytona and Richter are almost polar opposites. Richter is a seasoned Grand Prix schoolmaster who has seen it all and is willing to put up with a lot of mistakes, but on the downside takes a lot of energy from you to keep his large body moving. On the other hand, Daytona is a young, high-strung horse with a very gentle mouth; you have to focus more on your hands and less on keeping her going forward.

Q: I'm sure you face many tests as a sophomore at Southern Methodist University. What are you studying?
A: I am studying History, Political Science, and Medieval Studies in preparation for law school.

 

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