Rider: Derrick Perkins

Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas

Grade: 1A

About Derrick:

> PATH International, Equine Services For Heroes, 2013 Equestrian of the Year

> U.S. Paralympics Emerging Athlete

> World Class horses, coach & horse trainer provided by Kai Handt @ the North Texas Equestrian Center

> World Class competition horse in NTEC HANS

> World Class training facilities in the North Texas Equestrian Center, SIRE Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, Xena the Dressage Horse Simulator

> Earned at least one qualifying score in each dressage competition

> World Class sponsors like Kai Handt, USOC & VA Paralympic Military Program, Challenged Athletes Foundation – OPERATION REBOUND, Paralyzed Veterans of America – Texas Chapter

2014 Para Equestrian Goals

> Houston Dressage Society Winter Show   Jan 18 – 19, 2014

> March 13-16, 2014

Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CPEDI 3*

Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

Wellington, FL (2014 World Equestrian Games qualifyer)

> April 14-16, 2014

Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI 3*

Murieta Equestrian Center

Rancho Murieta, CA  (2014 World Equestrian Games qualifyer)

> U.S. Para Equestrian National Championships, TBA

> 2014 WEG Training Camp, TBA

> World Equestrian Games, Normandy, France. August

Long Term Goals

> Continue the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding & training

> Represent the USA in the 2016 International Paralympic Games, Rio De Janiero, Brazil

Please DONATE below to support me & the U.S. Para Equestrian Association. Note that you would like to support “Derrick Perkins”. 90% of what you donate goes directly to my training, equipment, and competitions.

Follow the Derrick Perkins U.S. Para Equestrian journey at:  www.facebook.com/derrick.perkins.50

More Info:

Derrick Perkins of Sugar Land, Texas is a U.S. Air Force veteran who was injured in 1988 while on active duty. After his initial physical rehabilitation at the Micheal E. Debakey VA Medical Center in Houston Texas, he was stabilized as a C7 Asia D Tetraplegic with significant loss of use in all four extremities. Since then he has become a member and volunteer of the of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Texas Chapter and began participating in various wheelchair sports for recreation, physical rehabilitation, and the thrill of competition. Derrick has competed annually in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and has a closet full of medals. He was recommended, by friends, for the SIRE – Houston Therapeutic Equestrian Centers program in 2008. During his years of riding with SIRE, Derrick has seen unbelievable improvements in balance, strength, and coordination. Prior to his injury he had trained in martial arts and finds a significant correlation between it and dressage. He has participated four times in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Top Hands Horse Show earning ribbons in English Equitation, Trail, and Barrels. In February of 2013 he finally won a coveted Rodeo Belt Buckle by taking 1st place in English Equitation.

In 2012 Derrick received his 1A Classification with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) making him eligible for international competition. And now as a member of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the U.S. Dressage Federation, and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation Derrick is now eligible to participate in nationally recognized events, as well as compete for a chance to represent the United States in various events including the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2016 International Paralympic Games.

Since the beginning of 2013 Derrick has been going to the next level by training with Kai Handt aboard NTEC Richter Scale & NTEC Hans at the North Texas Equestrian Center. In 2013 Derrick earned 3 qualifying scores for international competition at the Texas Dressage Classic I & II, the Laborious Day Horse Show, and the Texas Dressage Fall Classic I&II.

Derrick is looking forward to future events and competitions and he is very greatful for generous sponsors like Kai Handt @ the North Texas Equestrian Center, Challenged Athletes Foundation – OPERATION REBOUND, and SIRE – Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers, Paralyzed Veterans of America – Texas Chapter, The U.S. Olympic Committee – Veterans Administration Paralympic Military Program, as well as individual donors.

Please DONATE below to support “Derrick Perkins” & the U.S. Para Equestrian Association. Note that you would like to support “Derrick Perkins”. 90% of what you donate goes directly to my training, equipment, and competitions.

Let’s Go Team USA!