Horse Radio Network Features Lendon Gray and Para-Dressage Young Rider Sydney Collier  

Thousand Oaks, CA-August 1, 2013- Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured Lendon Gray and Para-Dressage rider Sydney Collier on Wednesday, July 31. Lindsay McCall from the USPEA co-hosted the show with Para-Equestrian Ellie Brimmer. Gray spoke about developing young riders while Sydney Collier talked about her experience in the young rider program. To view episode #218
http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/07/31/dressage-radio-episode-218-developing-para-dressage-young-riders/  

Lendon Gray – Born in Old Town, Maine, Lendon Gray rode her first horse with her mother before she could walk. She grew up riding western, hunt seat, bareback, playing gymkhana games, driving and generally enjoying horses. Pony Club played the central role in her life from age 7, and she competed successfully to the National level, winning Champion and Reserve at both US and Canadian Pony Club Rallies.  Receiving her A-rating at 16, Pony Club built a foundation of both solid riding basics and proper horse care that guides Lendon to this day. Through her involvement with Pony Club she became a successful event rider and trained for two years with the Olympic 3-day team.

Despite her many equestrian involvements, Lendon’s academic education was well tended. Graduating valedictorian from Foxhollow School, she studied Greek and Latin at Sweet Briar College while taking summer courses in Archeology at Stanford.  Lendon proves that it is not necessary to make a choice between excelling academically and excelling in the saddle.

It was when Lendon started to specialize in Dressage at age 27 that Seldom Seen, the first of her famous Dressage “ponies,” came into her life. At just 14.2 ½ hands Seldom Seen was a national champion at 3rd and 4th level, Prix St. George’s, Intermediare I and II, and Grand Prix.  Although Lendon rode Warmbloods for her participation on two Olympic teams (1980, 1988), the World Championships, and the World Cup, her ponies held a special place in her heart.  They proved to the world that bigger isn’t necessarily better.
From her early years competing in Pony Club to her famous work with Seldom Seen and other ponies, Lendon developed a reputation for “taking unremarkable horses and making them good.”  This belief in created talent and the power of dedication has inspired many of Lendon’s activities over the years.  Determined to give others the opportunity to learn and improve, she has been extremely involved with organizations such as USET, USEF, USDF, US Pony Club, and the rapidly expanding Dressage4Kids (D4K). http://www.dressage4kids.org/

Sydney Collier-Sydney is from Ann Arbor, Michigan but currently lives with her family in Millbrook, NY.  She has been riding since she was 7 years old and is currently training with Wes Dunham.   Sydney was diagnosed at age 8 with Wyburn-Mason Syndrome.  This began with symptoms of progressive weakening, uncoordinated movement on her entire left side and vision problems.  Sydney has had multiple complex medical issues including numerous cyber knife radiation procedures.  During her first surgery she had a massive stroke and loss the use of her left side. It was during this time that Sydney learned about the USPEA and started to set her future riding goals. Sydney became inspired at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky when she saw Paralympian Jonathan Wentz riding in the Para-Equestrian Dressage competition. Sydney rides a 10 yo 16.2 black Hanoverian named Wentworth, owned by Wes Dunham. The 2014 calendar year brings forward Sydney’s first opportunity to qualify and ride for the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the World Equestrian Games in France. To view more about Sydney please go to www.Sydsparaquest.com.

List of Para-Equestrian Radio Shows:

July 31, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #218

Dressage Radio Episode 218 – Developing Para-Dressage Young Riders

June 27, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #213

Dressage Radio Episode 213 – Para Week Goes Driving

May 24, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #208

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/05/24/dressage-radio-episode-208-the-maine-event/  

April 4, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #204

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/04/25/dressage-radio-episode-204-kristi-wysocki-and-gil-merrick-discuss-judging-the-team-approach/

March 27, 2013-To listen to the the first Para-Equestrian show #200:

Once a month the Dressage Radio Show becomes the Para-Equestrian Show Hosted by Lindsay McCall, of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, focusing on international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners have the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the Para-Reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including olympians, paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.

To learn more about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.

To learn more about the Horse Radio Network visit www.horseradionetwork.com or to contact Glenn the Geek go to http://www.horseradionetwork.com/contact/ or leave a voicemail at 270-803-0025.

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The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.

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About United States Para-Equestrian Association: