Donna Ponessa (USA) Secures U.S. Scores While Great Britain Maintains Team Medal Lead at 2012 Equestrian Paralympics Article and Photographs by Lindsay Yosay McCall To view this press release with photographs please click on the PDF version (PDF) London, England, United Kingdom–August 31, 2012 – Seventy-eight Para-Equestrian Dressage riders entered the ring at Greenwich Park on August 30th and 31st for the Team Test competition. Seventy-eight horses trotted down centerline moving one step close... Read More
First Day of 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Team Competition Reveals Leading Countries Despite the Variable Weather Photos/Article by Lindsay Yosay McCall To view the PDF Version with photographs please click here (PDF) London, England, United Kingdom–August 30, 2012 – In London, there is always one conversational topic that a stranger can depend on to relieve an awkward situation, the weather. On Thursday August 30th, at the 2012 Paralympic Equestrian venue in Greenwich Park, the weather transitio... Read More
By Lindsay McCall London, England, United Kingdom–August 29, 2012 – Every tear shed, every mile traveled, and every salute in the show ring over the last few years have now led to this moment at the 2012 London Paralympic Equestrian competition held in Greenwich Park. Before riders and coaches could breathe a sigh of relief seventy-eight horse and rider combinations stepped forward for the official horse inspection. Each team and individual presented their mounts at a trot in front of the compet... Read More
London is Calling the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team Written by: Lindsay Yosay McCall Photos by Lindsay Yosay McCall London, England, United Kingdom-August 20, 2012 –Passports in hand and the final tack box loaded, the United States Paralympic Equestrian Team is on their way to London. Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen and equestrians Rebecca Hart, top ten FEI Paralympian Jonathan Wentz, Donna Ponessa, and Dale Dedrick will shortly accompany their horses when they arrive in the ... Read More
Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor, MI) With a U.S. National Swimming world-record holder for a mom, a father that was an elite golfer, and a grandmother who rode in the Calgary Stampede, it seemed only natural for Dale Dedrick to become an athlete and equestrian. After a few intense years, earning her M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dale stepped back into riding and her Dressage training evolved. During her orthopedic residency at the University of Michigan Dedrick was diagnosed ... Read More
Diane Kastama, Arroyo Grande, CA Grade I. In 1991 a car crash left Diane paralyzed from the waist down. Although a lifelong horse person and dressage enthusiast, riding without the use of her legs was not much fun and she soon turned to driven dressage and then the exciting sport of combined driving. Her relatives and friends thought she was crazy for taking on a sport that involves sitting atop a tall carriage, pulled by a horse going “hell-bent” for speed. Diane started competing with her hom... Read More
Pam Johnson Grade 2, Pleasant Hill, MO Pam Johnson and her husband Kelly are the owners of K Bar J Ranch in Pleasant Hill, MO, where they give horse-drawn hay rides at various events. Pam has been involved in an array of different disciplines over her life, competing in everything from Three Day Eventing to Team Roping. Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis put an end to those days, but that didn’t stop her. Pam put a cart and harness on her Christmas list and began driving. After volunteering... Read More
Karen Gorham Grade 2, Burnet, Texas Karen Gorham grew up riding horses at her childhood home in Michigan. Both Karen and Bill enjoyed riding but when Bill was taught by Milo Measel to drive, it would be the start of a future career with the driving discipline. After a move in 1967 with her husband Bill the couple settled in Texas. After witnessing Bill Long, an elite driver, in the Four-in-Hand World Karen Gorham and OCharley Championships and numerous other fantastic drivers, Karen and her hus... Read More