fo Para-Dressager
after the first two tests are invited to compete in the Free- style. FEI rules for forming a para-dressage team for world championships do not require a rider from each grade level on a team. But the rules do require each team of four riders and horses, or three riders and horses, have at least one team member from either Grade I, Grade II or Grade III. And, no more than two riders from any one grade may be on a team. If a team is composed of four horse and rider combi- nations, only the best three scores count toward the team championship. The 1996 Paralympics were the first ones to include
equestrian competition. Borrowed horses were used for para-dressage in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics and the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. Starting in 2004 in Athens, riders were allowed to bring their own horses for para-dressage competition. The para-dressage disci- pline has only been a part of the World Equestrian Games since 2010. At the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Lexington, 60 para- dressage riders from 16 coun- tries competed. At the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014, there were 100 para-dressage participants representing 32 countries. In 2018 in Tryon 63 para-athletes from 23 countries competed. “Para-dressage has grown
worldwide over the last ten years; so has the competitiveness between countries to find the most talented horse and rider combinations. Robert Dover, chef d’equipe for the U.S. Dres- sage Team, said to me that some of the para horses are ‘eye candy’ to our able-bodied peers. We look for the same quality gaits [as able-bodied riders do], but what is most important to a para-rider is a kind horse with a good mind, trainability to accept different aids and a good work ethic,” says Hope Hand, president of the USPEA and member of the USEF Inter- national Disciplines Council.
The Right Stuff for Therapeutic Riding Jennifer Beyer, the para-dressage coach at Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (TRI) in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) certified instructor, explains that horses for thera- peutic riding at the introductory and beginner levels must be sane and sound. The TRI facility was recently named
the newest of only six USEF/USPEA Centers of Excellence nationwide. Area riders can come to TRI for a wide variety of equine-assisted therapies and possibly transition into graded para-dressage competition later on. The TRI staff currently maintains a diverse herd of 14
horses ranging from a 12-hand Welsh Pony to a 16-hand Percheron to serve the wide variety of needs in their human clients. “Our biggest challenge when looking to acquire another horse is identifying what we need. Do we need a horse with more lively movement for riders who may have limited attention spans? Or do we need a horse with a narrow back and very smooth gaits for riders who may have a limited range of motion? We try to maintain a suitable herd by scaling down workloads for aging horses and finding younger horses to bring along slowly, ensuring that they are happy and comfortable in their work,” says Beyer, who was selected to participate in the USEF Para-Eques- trian Dressage Coach Pilot Program taught by Michel Assouline, USEF head of para-equestrian coach development and high performance consultant for the U.S. team. Although she begins by noting therapeutic riding horses must be calm and steady, Beyer explains there is a lot more to selecting
horses for therapeutic and para riding. Rather than seeking overly quiet horses, she says that they look for horses that are smart, people-friendly and are thinking horses willing to forgive. “These types of horses often require methodical, correct training but once they understand their job, they
Left: Jennifer Beyer, the para-dressage coach at Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (TRI) with her Morgan/Friesian mare Breslin. After relocating to Ann Arbor area while in graduate school, Jennifer began volunteer- ing at TRI. She earned her Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) instructor certification in 2010, and has worked as an instructor at TRI ever since, teaching dres- sage to riders with disabilities and other challenges. In May of 2018, Jennifer was selected to participate in the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Coach Pilot Program. Rght: Michel Assouline in action at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. A French native now based in the U.K., he is a graduate of the French National Equestrian School and spent 12 years as the head coach of the highly-successful British Para-Dressage Team before taking on the role for the U.S.
Warmbloods Today 31
Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography
Leanne Chadwick
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