NTEC Richter Scale & Jonathan Wentz return from London as Highest placing USA Horse & Rider!
Kai Handt & NTEC Richter Scale at jog. Photo by Lindsay McCall
London was all and more than Jonathan could have imagined when at the age of twelve he set the goal of representing the USA at the 2012 Paralympics!
London, being the birthplace of Para Dressage, was able to showcase it better than it has ever been showcased before, treating it as the meaning of Paralympics, “parallel” to the Olympics in publicity, enthusiasm, housing, venues, and treatment of athletes and spectators. They were able to have the Equestrian venue close to all the other venues allowing the athletes to stay in the athlete’s village and fully be a part of the games, participating in Opening Ceremonies and meeting Paralympic athletes from numerous sports and countries!
The Equestrian venue at Greenwich Park was spectacular with an unbelievably beautiful view of the Queens house at one end. Twenty-six countries and seventy-eight horse and rider combinations would turn out to compete including four from the USA. The quality of the horses was better than ever and was evident starting with the horse inspection. The sport continues to grow in numbers and quality of competition.
At age twenty-one Jonathan was able to fulfill a goal with a very special horse, NTEC Richter Scale, owned by Kai Handt, an 18 year old, 17.2 hand, Shire Cross with the heart of a saint willing to give his all, only asking in return to be given a few carrots, OK a lot of carrots, sugar cubes and apples! Jonathan, Kai Handt, trainer & coach, and Rachel Campbell, Richter’s outstanding groom, traveled first to Gladstone, NJ for a week long Paralympic Training Camp at the USET headquarters, than to Surrey and Andrew Gould’s barn for four days of training before moving into Greenwich Park on the 24th of August.
Although the stadium was imposing, and filled with spectators, Richter was unfazed by it’s grandeur both during his tests and as serving as a companion horse to the other three USA horses during their tests. Richter’s main concern was seeing if Rachel had any sugar cubes in her pockets! Kai had Richter looking great and their training program at home leading up to London was paying off. Jonathan rode with unmatched determination and confidence putting in accurate tests and trying to maximize Richter’s walk and trot work and adjust to the judge’s comments after each test.
NTEC Richter proved all his critics wrong, and made all his supporters proud as he put in consistent tests each day falling just short of the medals and placing higher than any USA equestrian both in the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics! Jonathan and Richter gave it their all earning a 70.364% & 5th place in the Team test, a 70.348 & 4th place in the Individual Championship Test, and a 73% in the freestyle placing 5th.
London was an invaluable learning experience and an opportunity to go up against the best in the world and give them a run for their money. It also fueled his commitment and determination to compete in the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy and the 2016 Paralympics in Rio where he will pursue his medal quest for the USA!
Jonathan Wentz & NTEC Richter Scale competing at Greenwich Par. Photo by Lindsay McCall
London would not have been possible without the support and encourage of many who he gives his debt of gratitude, including Kai Handt and North Texas Equestrian Center, Dr Rachel Zent, Dr Michele Miles, Annis Buell, HDS, DDC, Region 9 members, Equest, and many generous individuals who have supported me over the years! Thank you is far too inadequate, your our support has meant the world to me! I hope you’ll continue on my journey as I train for Normandy and Rio!!
Jonathan’s horse sponsor, coach and trainer, Kai Handt, specifically found Richter Scale for him in February 2009 after Jonathan had approached him in the winter of 2008 about training him for the Paralympics, and had proven his determination to work hard and excel.
Kai and Jonathan quickly went to work preparing for their first USEF Para Equestrian National Championships in May where they placed 7th overall.
In 2010 Jonathan, under Kai’s coaching and training competed at nine USDF/USEF recognized shows, one CPEDI3*, and the USEF National Championships were he qualified for the 2010 World Equestrian Games and competed as a member of the USA Team who placed 7th. Jonathan experience at WEG fueled his dream of representing the USA in London and to be more competitive.
Toward this end Jonathan in 2011 competed in three CPEDI3* as a member of the USA Team and won the 2011 USEF Para Dressage National Championships with NTEC Richter Scale and earned the highest ranking USA rider at #10 on the FEI World Individual Ranking list. He also had the privilege of competing with NTEC Jabriel, owned by Dr. Rachel Zent as a second horse who taught him invaluable lessons
January 2012 Jonathan rode NTEC Richter Scale and NTEC Jabriel as a member of the USA Team at two CPEDI3* Florida and helped to secure a USA Team spot at the 2012 London Paralympics. June 2012 he competed in the USEF US Para Equestrian Dressage Nationals and 2012 Paralympic USA Selection Trials. Jonathan placed second with NTEC Richter Scale and sixth with Silvano, owned by Dr Michele Miles securing a team spot and first alternate spot for the 2012 London Paralympics.
Jonathan believed in his ability and had a dream at thirteen of competing at the Paralympics. He developed a five-year plan at the age of sixteen to fulfill his dream and tenaciously pursued it and with the help and support of many, and the coaching & sponsorship of Kai Handt. His sights are now on Normandy and Rio as he begins training again and looking for his next equine teammate!