October 10, 2023 -USPEA Fall Educational Series for Para Dressage Equestrian Athletes
Wellington, Florida – October 10, 2023 – The United States Para Equestrian Association’s (USPEA) goal is to assist new and emerging para dressage athletes and coaches as they navigate their way to the competition arena. Toward this goal USPEA will be releasing a series of articles to provide educational resources and USPEA grants to help reach national and international para dressage goals. In the USPEA Fall Educational Series #2, USPEA Explains Para Dressage Tests, Show Grants, and Links to Further Education in National and International Para Dressage
USPEA Fall Educational Series #2Wellington, Florida – October 10, 2023 – The United States Para Equestrian Association’s (USPEA) goal is to assist new and emerging para dressage athletes and coaches as they navigate their way to the competition arena. Toward this goal USPEA will be releasing a series of articles to provide educational resources and USPEA grants to help reach national and international para dressage goals. In the USPEA Fall Educational Series #2, USPEA Explains Para Dressage Tests, Show Grants, and Links to Further Education in National and International Para Dressage Riders who are classified and ready to start showing at USEF/USDF licensed shows have a few items to prepare as they plan their travel and show ring debut. Understanding the difference in the tests is important as each equestrian begins competing on the national or international stage. Opportunities for additional funding include the Jonathan Wentz Memorial Show Grant and the Hope Hand Memorial Festival of Champions Grant. For equestrians that are searching for rules USPEA.org is a great resource which includes Para 101, links to the United States Dressage Federation rules, and links to the United States Equestrian Federation. Equestrians will want to view the FEI Para Dressage Tests at https://inside.fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/p-e-dressage/tests.FEI Para Dressage Tests: Knowing where to start with the para dressage tests is the first step on a rider’s journey into the ring. There are five classification grades, and each athlete will be classified into their respective grade. Within each grade are tests for Novice, Intermediate, and Grand Prix. Novice Test – The novice tests are the least technically challenging and serve as an introduction to FEI level para dressage. The novice tests are shown at the FEI 1* level. The novice tests are a good place to gain experience in the dressage arena before adding more technical difficultly. Intermediate – Intermediate as the name implies, are more challenging than the novice tests but not as difficult as riding the Grand Prix. The intermediate tests are shown at the FEI 2** level. The intermediate tests are good to practice if you don’t feel you are prepared for the difficultly level for the Grand Prix but don’t feel challenged by the novice tests. If you are planning to enter your first CPEDI in order to qualify to ride in the 3* level you must first ride in a CPEDI 1* or 2** and gain a score of 60% or higher. Grand Prix – The highest level of difficulty, most technically demanding tests and have the highest level of expectation in terms of accuracy and consistency in the frame. The Grand Prix tests are ridden at CPEDI*** which is paralympic qualifying, and championship level. Once you feel that you have mastered the difficulty of the Novice then Intermediate tests, it’s a good time to start moving up and pursuing Grand Prix. Regardless of grade this is a process that can take a long time. GrantsOnce a rider knows their tests it is time to schedule a show and plan for the travel. There are two grants that can help along the way. Emerging athletes may apply for the Jonathan Wentz Memorial Show Grant at https://uspea.org/jwg/. Jonathan Wentz Memorial Show Grant (JWM#1) The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Show Grant is for Emerging Athletes and may be used to offset the expense of participating in a National Dressage Show in FEI Para-Dressage Test of Choice (TOC) classes. Grant is intended for only one show per weekend. Should more than one show be scheduled for the same place and weekend all shows will count as one. Funds from this grant can be used to pay for such expenses as: entry and/or stabling fees; trainer fees. More information can be viewed in the application. Hope Hand Memorial Festival of Champions Grant (HHM #2) is being offered to emerging athletes to offset horse transportation expenses for those transporting their horse(s) at least 250 miles one way to the USEF Festival of Champions (https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/dressage/dressage-championships—national–fei/us-dressage-festival-of-champions). To apply for the HHM#2 US Dressage Festival of Champions Equine Travel Grant, the Athlete MUST have received an invitation from the USEF and competed in the US Dressage Festival of Champions, Para Dressage division. They also must have only competed in a CPEDI3* during the past 2 competition years in which they are applying for the grant, or never competed in a CPEDI3. For more information, please visit https://uspea.org/hope-hand-and-jonathan/. To apply for the Hope Hand Memorial of Festivals Grant members may click here https://uspea.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/USPEA-Grant-Application-HHM-3-22-23.docx. For athletes not yet showing at the Para Dressage Grand Prix test level offered at the USEF Festival of Champions, USEF currently offers The Athlete Honor Awards. These awards are presented to the highest ranked Para Dressage athlete competing in the FEI Introductory A & B Tests in each Grade level, for a maximum of five (5) awards. Athletes will automatically be invited to the 2023 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions to receive their award. Information can be found art:https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/para-equestrian/para-equestrian-dressage-programs-forms/athlete-of-honor-awards-program-informationPARA 101To understand the rules participants may view the Para 101 document at https://uspea.org/para-dressage-101/. USDF RulesUnited States Dressage Federation Rules may be found at https://www.usdf.org/faqs/paraequestrians.asp USEF RulesUnited States Equestrian Federation Rules may be found at https://www.usef.org/compete/disciplines/para-equestrian/para-equestrian-dressage-programs-formsAbout the USPEA Fall Educational Series:USPEA’s goal is to offer educational materials and assistance with logistics and cost of national and international shows, as well as initial classification through the USPEA grant programs. USPEA grants being offered may be found HERE USPEA membership information and additional resources for athletes may be found at www.USPEA.org and will be covered in our upcoming articles.
