By: Jennifer O. Bryant for the USPEA

CAEN, NORMANDY, August 25, 2014 – The USA got off to a strong start in day 1 of para-equestrian dressage competition at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™.

First up was individual competitor Angela Peavy, 18, of Avon, Conn., who earned a tenth-place finish in the Grade III team test on a score of 65.421 percent. Peavy’s mount for the Games is Ozzy Cooper, an eight-year-old Trakehner gelding (Hibiskus x Arrak) owned by Rebecca Reno.

“It was great; he was a really good boy,” Peavy said of her mount afterward. “He was good, nice, and very focused. It was a very clean test.”

Individual US para-equestrian dressage competitor Angela Peavy finished tenth with Ozzy Cooper in the Grade III team test on a score of 65.421 percent. CREDIT: SusanJStickle.com

This WEG is Peavy’s first international competition, as it is likewise for her teammate Sydney Collier, 16, of Ann Arbor, Mich. Collier’s story-she is the youngest para-dressage competitor at these Games, and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) fact-checkers are busy trying to confirm their hunch that she may be the youngest competitor in all of the disciplines at this event-has charmed the media, as have Collier’s accounts of her service dog, a white Poodle named (appropriately) Journey, who is the first dog to receive a proper WEG accreditation, credential and all.

Aboard Willi Wesley, a fourteen-year-old Hessen gelding (Wolkenstein x Kokoschka) owned by Victoria Dugan, Collier earned a score of 65.960 percent in the Grade Ib team test, which put her in thirteenth place.

Willi Wesley trots to a thirteenth-place finish and a score of 65.960 percent in the Grade Ib team test with rider Sydney Collier. CREDIT: SusanJStickle.com

“It was an incredible experience to be riding with such amazing other riders,” Collier said afterward. “For my first time, my horse was super-well-behaved; and thankfully I don’t get nervous, because of my stroke,” she said, referring to the incident that changed her life at age 11.

WEG para-equestrian team dressage competition continues tomorrow, August 26. First up for Team USA will be 2010 WEG athlete Susan Treabess, who will ride Kamiakin in the Grade IV team test. Reigning six -time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion, two-time Paralympian (2008 and 2012) and 2010 WEG athlete Rebecca Hart will contest the Grade II team test aboard her new mount, Schroeter’s Romani. And Roxanne Trunnell will ride Nice Touch in the Grade Ia team test.

The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team (in alphabetical order):

Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Victoria Dugan’s Willi Wesley.
Willi Wesley is a 2000 Warmblood gelding. (Grade Ib)

Rebecca Hart (Unionville, Pa.) and Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolo’s, and Will and Sandy Kimmel.
Schroeter’s Romani is a 2003 Danish Warmblood mare. (Grade II)

Angela Peavy (Avon, Conn.) and Rebecca Reno’s Ozzy Cooper.
Ozzy Cooper is a 2006 Trakehner gelding. (Individual athlete Grade III)

Susan Treabess (Winters, Calif.) and Kathryn Hill’s Kamiakin.
Kamiakin is a 2005 PRE stallion. (Grade IV)

Roxanne Trunnell (Rowlett, Texas) and her own Nice Touch.
Nice Touch is a 1995 Dutch Warmblood mare. (Grade Ia)

Learn more about the Para-Dressage discipline at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, France:

Support the Team and it’s future to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio with the USET Foundation’s Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge:

Learn more about the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage discipline or give a tax-deductible donation to support the development of the sport with the USPEA 501(c)(3)t:

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.