Lexington, KY- May 5, 2014 – There is no doubt that Kentucky is horse country especially when the April through May 2014 calendar holds some of the most prestigious horse events in the country in multiple equestrian disciplines. Those included The Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, The Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Reining Cup to name a few. The 2014 Kentucky Reining Cup, held at the Kentucky Horse Park, featured the Adequan©/USEF Open Reining National Championship, the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Selection Trials, and the Cargill’s Nutrena® brand Para-Reining Event held on April 26. This was the second Para-Reining demonstration that followed the unprecedented demonstration at the 2013 American Quarter Horse (AQHA) World

2012 Paralympic Equestrian Dressage rider Dale Dedrick of Ann Arbor, MI, competes at the Para-Reining Event at the Kentucky Reining Cup with horse IRA Top Gunner, owned by Dan James of Nicholasville, Kentucky. Photo by Larri Jo Starkey of the AQHA Journal.

Championship Show in November 2013. Working together, USA Reining, United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA), AQHA, and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) are committed to jump starting the international Para-Equestrian Reining sport. Brad Ettleman, president of HorsePower, Inc. and producer of the Kentucky Reining Cup has been the driving force behind making this sport possible. Para-Dressage athletes who participated in this showcase included Briana (Beckworth) Bartlett, 2012 London Paralympian Dale Dedrick, Holly Jacobson, Lise Yervasi, and Frederick Win. The equine athletes included Zins Smart Wrangler, owned by Tamra Kyle of Whitesboro, Texas; IRA Top Gunner, owned by Dan James of Nicholasville, Kentucky; Koolwhiz N Wranglers, owned by Rodion Cantacuzene of Midland, Texas; Western Whiz, owned by Robert Thompson of Pilot Point,Texas; and Dolano Glory Rey CT provided by Lexi Stovall of Kentucky. The entire weekend was made possible by the help of Brad Ettleman, International Reiner Lisa Coulter, the generous owners of the equine athletes, and the multiple elite reining trainers that were on hand to work with the para-equestrian dressage riders.

Para-equestrian dressage rider Briana (Beckworth) Bartlett traveled a long distance to watch the first para-reining demonstration in Oklahoma City. She was excited to see the para-reining discipline in its first debut. So when she asked to attend the Cargill’s Nutrena® brand Para-Reining Event in Lexington, KY she was ready to put her cowgirl boots on. Bartlett commented, “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and train with not only some of the most talented trainers in the world, but also with some of the most talented and kind horses. I started out the weekend riding Zins Smart Wrangler, owned by Pete and Tamra Kyle.  He was a beautiful gelding and I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet him and meet and work with Tamra – even though it was brief.  On day two, I volunteered to let Holly ride that horse for safety reasons, so we traded horses, but the plan was for me to meet a third horse, Western Whiz, on Saturday before our class.  Randy Dooley from CO was so kind to offer his bay Appaloosa gelding for our practice Friday, but I was unable to ride him Saturday.  I ended up meeting Western Whiz Saturday morning right before our class and we squeezed in a fast practice for about 30 minutes before going into the show. Lisa Coulter and all of the other trainers were there providing us with great coaching, encouragement, and support through the entire weekend. Never in my wildest imagination would I have dreamt that a group of individuals, all of the coaches, Lisa Coulter, Brad Ettleman, and all of the supporters of the western para-equestrian movement would be so generous.  To be honest when I got into reining, that has been my experience from the bottom up.  I have been blessed to have met a group of people who are genuinely interested in promoting horsemanship, their horses, and their sport to those who are willing to take the time to learn.”

She continued, “The weekend was outstanding. Western Whiz is a horse who has won $180,000 in his career, and gave a little piece of himself to allow me a ride of a lifetime.  I believe that all of the other riders would agree with me, that these horses have incredible heart, willingness, and acceptance of our differing abilities in the saddle.  It is unlike any other discipline or horses that I have experienced.  All of the riders worked hard over the three days to learn the different maneuvers, and the horses took care of us every step of the way. I believe one of the biggest challenges moving forward with para-reining will be matching horses and riders.  I would personally like to thank everyone involved over the para-reining weekend for taking the time that they did to make the matches with horses, trainers, and riders.  It is a daunting task and they had little to go by. However, when the riders met their horses it was obvious to everyone what an outstanding job they had done.  The cheers and whistles pouring from the crowd while the riders were out there competing spoke volumes to the success of those partnerships. There is no adequate way to thank Brad Ettleman, Lisa Coulter, or the other coaches for donating not only their time, but for allowing us the opportunity to ride their amazing horses. My hope is that one day I will have the opportunity to pay-it-forward and show someone else the kindness and generosity that we have been shown.”

1. Lise Yervasi of Baker City, Oregon,  riding Dolano Glory Rey CT
Dolano Glory Rey CT was provided by Lexi Stovall of Kentucky.

2. Dale Dedrick of Ann Arbor, Michigan, riding IRA Top Gunner
IRA Top Gunner is a 2000 gray stallion by Playgun and out of Little Peppys Vet by Peppy San Badger. He was bred by Bee Jay Jordan of Lees Summit, Missouri, and is owned by Dan James of Nicholasville, Kentucky.

3. Holly Jacobson of Ipswich, Massachusetts, riding Zins Smart Wrangler
Zins Smart Wrangler is a 2009 bay gelding by Starlights Wrangler and out of Smart Rowdy Lady by Smart Chic Olena. He was bred by Patricia Moore of Sherman, Texas, and is owned by Tamra Kyle of Whitesboro, Texas.

4. Frederick Win on Koolwhiz N Wranglers*
Koolwhiz N Wranglers is a 2008 gray mare by Conquistador Whiz and out of Wranglers Lea by Wranglers Doctor. She was bred by Edwin Cridge of Tioga, Texas, and is owned by Rodion Cantacuzene of Midland, Texas.

5. Briana Bartlett on Western Whiz
Western Whiz is a 2003 bay gelding by West Coast Whiz and out of Cameos Brite Star by Black Star Leo. He was bred by Roberta Witt of Williston, Ohio, and is owned by Robert Thompson of Pilot Point, Texas.
*Freddie competed in para-reining at the 2013 World Show.

For the 2014 competition year, USA Reining will use the newly adapted Para-Reining rules. The new rules are a collaboration of AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities, NRHA and USA Reining. The adapted rules will be specialized, revised, and collated with the FEI Para-Equestrian rules for the following 2015 competition year. Members are encouraged to provide feedback for integration of the 2015 rules. USA Reining hopes to make Para-Reining a nationally recognized sport by the beginning of 2015.

Cargill manufactures and markets a complete line of Nutrena® brand feeds and supplements that help horses and all classes of livestock maintain optimal health throughout all stages of life. Using the highest-quality ingredients and the most up-to-date nutritional technology, Cargill is committed to the health, well-being and safety of its customers’ horses, livestock and pets. For more information on its Nutrena® brand products, visit www.nutrenaworld.com .

About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 140,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit Cargill.com and its News Center.

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages Para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the Para-Equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage Para-Equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the Para-Equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Paralympic Games, the USPEA provides Para-Equestrians the knowledge and resources needed to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), USA Reining, and USEF which provide Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF). 

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.