Wellington, Florida – January 5, 2017 – A new year kicks-off to another equestrian season in Wellington, Florida. Riders and horses from around the world are unpacking their tack trunks in beautiful and warm South Florida where the equestrian mecca of Wellington is overflowing with breeches wearing, smiling, horse lovers. Para-Equestrian Dressage riders are looking forward to the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival which includes two CPEDI3* events this season. January 19 – 22, is the first CPEDI3* followed by the second international show March 9-12, 2017.  For riders who are spending the winter in Florida or have made the area their home there will be multiple opportunities to clinic with Dressage experts in addition to riding in multiple horse shows that are hosted around the Wellington area. In particular, following the January 19-22, CPEDI3* there is a Para-Dressage Symposium with FEI 3* Dressage and FEI 4* Para Dressage Judge Kristi Wysocki and in collaboration with U.S. Para-Dressage Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt January 22-24.  Download the

The symposium will be held in the Van Kampen Arena at the Global Dressage Festival Show Grounds. The cost of the clinic is $50 on Sunday, $75 on Monday, and $75 on Tuesday. Auditors are welcome for free on Sunday and $25 on Monday and Tuesday.

The two and a half day symposium, open to all riders, begins following the show on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Monday, January 23, includes a full day followed by a half day on Tuesday. The focus of the symposium will be riding the new FEI Para-Dressage Tests and working on what the judges are looking for.

About Kristi Wysocki:

Kristi Wysocki is an FEI 3* Dressage and FEI 4* Para Dressage Judge. She is also a USEF licensed Dressage Sport Horse judge. She has judged CDIs and CPDs in both the U.S. and Europe. She has judged many USDF Regional Championships. She and her husband own Somewhere Farms and Eagle’s Wing Equine Therapy and Rehab Center in Colorado. They train dressage and rehabilitate horses following injuries and illnesses. She has competed several horses to the FEI levels, winning many regional and local championships through Grand Prix. Wysocki has also successfully competed in the CDI arena with multiple horses. Her students have competed successfully through the Grand Prix Level. She is a member of the USEF Para Dressage Committee and Chair of the USDF Sport Horse Committee.

About U.S. Para-Dressage Chef d’ Equipe &Technical Advisor Kai Handt:

Kai Handt is the USEF Para Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe, and most recently served in this capacity at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. As a rider, trainer, and clinician, Kai’s illustrious equestrian background includes coaching and sponsoring para-dressage riders at the international level for the past several years. Among his accolades are

• U.S. Chef d’Equipe for the Equestrian Team at 2016 Paralympics
• U.S. Chef d’Equipe for Para-Dressage at 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
• Individual coach and sponsor at 2012 Paralympics to the highest placing U.S. equestrian overall at the Paralympics and Olympics, as well as individual coach and sponsor at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.
• Individual coach for one or more riders at the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 USEF National Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships earning 2011 USEF National Para-Equestrian Dressage Champion, 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Dressage Reserve Champion.
• Individual coach at numerous CPEDI3* from 2009-2014 for multiple riders earning multiple grade championships, overall championships, and as part of the U.S. Team, several Team Championships.
• Chef d’Equipe at 2012 CEPDI3* in Wellington for the Japanese Team, coaching their rider to their first Paralympic Equestrian qualifying score.
• Chef d’Equipe at 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City, resulting in a U.S.
• Team Nation’s Cup win, overall individual reserve champion, and individual Grade 1a and Grade Ib champions.
• Individual coach for Derrick Perkins; the first Para-Dressage rider from the United States Veteran’s Assistance Program in 2013.
• Also in 2013, Handt was the individual coach for Para-Dressage riders Benjamin Harper, Roxanne Trunnell, and Derrick Perkins; as well as selector of appropriate horses for each individual at each show. All individuals achieved top scores ranging from 63.478%-73.478% during that show season.

The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) includes every recognized equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with an eligible physical impairment with a focus on Paralympic Equestrian Sports. . The USPEA is a network of current and past athletes, owners, officials, event organizers, and equestrian enthusiasts. The Association assists athletes to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Disciplines of Para-Equestrian.

USPEA was created to fill a need to assist Para Equestrian disciplines when they came under the governance of the FEI.  While Para Equestrian disciplines were originally segregated, they now are integrated in international sport.  As each individual Para Equestrian discipline develops, it is USPEA’s mission to always serve as an advisory resource with the ultimate goal that the established able-bodied discipline affiliate will integrate within their organization.

In 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status and became a recognized International affiliate association of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) working together to grow the FEI recognized disciplines by helping to provide press, educational information, symposiums and competition opportunities for athletes with eligible physical impairments.