Wellington, Florida – February 4, 2021 – Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team maintains their stride as the number one ranked FEI Team in Para-Dressage after a solid weekend (January 27-30, 2021) at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) CPEDI3*. The Wellington, Florida venue was an excellent location for the launch of an important Paralympic Year. Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and USEF Head of Coach Development & Para Dressage Technical Advisor led the four-woman squad to top results. The Team included Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) with All In One, Rebecca Hart (Loxahatchee, Fla.) riding Fortune 500, Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) with Solitaer 40, and Roxanne Trunnell (Wellington, Fla.) aboard Dolton. Bronze Medal (2018 WEG) rider Trunnell, who recently received the USET Foundation award of the 2021 Whitney Stone Cup, rode Dolton who also earned the US Equestrian Federation Award of 2020 International Horse of Honor Award to the High Point Para-Dressage athlete at the CPEDI3*. Dolton is owned by Flintwoode Farms LLC and Karin Flint. Trunnell (USA Grade I) has had a fantastic year leading the FEI Rankings as the number one Para-Dressage rider in the world. U.S. Teammate Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 earned the Reserve Champion High Point in the CPEDI3*. With an extra year to prepare not only were the top combinations earning their best scores, but new horses and rider pairs were seen giving the judges the best view of the United States Para-Dressage high performance depth. Even athletes in the national para-dressage show earned outstanding test percentages over the weekend. The ground jury included Kjell Myhre (Norway), Anne Prain (FRA), and Adrienne Pot (USA). Athletes will prepare in the next few months for the March 24-28, Wellington Para-Dressage National Competition, followed by the June 17-20, 2021, Tryon CPEDI and final Paralympic Observation Event which takes place before the Tokyo Paralympic Games August 24-September 5, 2021.

Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and USEF Head of Coach Development & Para Dressage Technical Advisor noted, “All went beyond expectations. I would expect for athletes in Tokyo contention to not peak too early and be fairly conservative since we have a long way to the Games. The judging panel was of particular interest to me as both Anne Prain (FRA) and Kjell Myhre (NOR) are both part of the future Tokyo Paralympics official jury. It will give our selectors and coaches a solid evaluation of their performances. The team of four: Roxanne Trunnell, Sydney Collier Rebecca Hart and Kate Shoemaker did well. Rebecca Hart had a personal best with Fortune in the Freestyle with a score over 76%, Roxanne Trunnell continues to impress with scores hovering the 80% mark, maintaining her FEI World one strong hold, Sydney Collier was consistent, riding conservatively as there is still a long way to the June Tryon CPEDI, and team rider Kate Shoemaker also rode a soft ‘economical’ test to save her horse for this long road to selection towards Tokyo. However even with this approach in mind, our team achieved a remarkable average of 74.45%. That is keeping the US Para Dressage in its first FEI ranking position. A dream for all involved. Eyes were on the new partnership of Charlotte Merle Smith (Grade III) with her lovely grey mare Guata. She really impressed the judges in their first international; scores were solidly around the 72% mark each day. Beatrice De Lavalette also rode her new partner Clarc, very promising horse indeed, with the same level of score quality. All the other riders improved their performances throughout the three days with most moving to the magic 70% in the freestyle. We received a special accolade from our foreign judges about the ever-increasing quality of horses and riding in the US. Happy team and coaches.”

Roxanne Trunnell commented, “I was really happy with how Dolton handled the whole weekend. I think he loves the Global show grounds more than his own home as he takes zero time to settle in and he is always calm as can be there. He handled the windy weather and flapping tents like a professional. When I ride him he is 100% focused on what I am telling him and nothing else matters to him, he definitely knows his job. We’ve really been working on his stretch down and his halts so we are going to work on improving those pieces of the test and continuing to keep the other components of the test the same. Hopefully we will earn a spot on the team headed to Tokyo this summer.”

Trunnell added, “A big thank you to my temporary groom Angel who stepped up when my usual groom couldn’t attend the show. Angel did a amazing job and we were so lucky she was able to help us out.”

Trunnell dominated Grade I while Beatrice De Lavalette (USA) and Clarc won the overall Grade II.

Charlotte Merle-Smith (USA) and Guata received blue ribbon scores in Grade III and Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Solitaer 40 topped Grade IV. Katie Jackson (USA) was back in the ring with new partner Scrabble in Grade V.

In the National ring Erika Wager earned over 70% in each of the Grade II FEI Team and Individual Tests while Andie Sue Roth and Aniko earned a 74.375% in Grade V Intro A and Intro B.

Andie Sue Roth commented, “I was so excited to get such good scores from the judges this weekend. Showing at Wellington was magical, and Aniko, owned by Lisa Hellmer of LCH Equestrian in Ocala, was a great partner for me. Because Lisa knows Aniko so well she was able to pull us together as a pair and I am so grateful for that experience. I loved every minute of working in the barn, training with Aniko, washing and prepping. The Adequan Global Dressage Festival competition was just the perfect ending to a great week.”

Roth had to work hard as she got to know her new partner Aniko. Roth recently competed in Tryon where she rode Centeno XII, owned by Barbara Bonk at the Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championship Award at the CPEDI3* in October 2020.

Roth noted, “My favorite part of this journey is being able to ride different horses as I reach toward my goal. Each one has unique characteristics that help me learn and push me out of my comfort zone. I have also found that their similarities have allowed me to use certain techniques on each of them to figure out how to best tap into our connection. It’s like figuring out a puzzle with each horse and I just love that.”

Roth’s future plans are to begin working on the next tests for the Development list. She will also do local recognized shows this spring then plans to go to Tryon in June and the United States Pony Club Festival in Kentucky in July for the dressage rally.

U.S. Para-Dressage athletes are looking forward to the March 24-28, Wellington Para-Dressage National Competition, followed by the June 17-20, 2021, Tryon CPEDI and finally the Tokyo Paralympic Games August 24-September 5, 2021.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Results:

Adequan® Global Dressage Festival 3 CDI4*/CPEDI3*

January 27-30,2021 in Wellington, FL

Overall Team Score:

449.121

Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and All In One

Rebecca Hart (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Fortune 500

Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and Solitaer 40

Roxanne Trunnell (Wellington, Fla.) and Dolton

TEAM TEST

28-Jan-21

FEI Para Team Test Grade I – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         80       USA    Roxanne Trunnell       Dolton 79.107 78.393 82.5

2         70.536 USA    Sydney Collier All In One       74.464 70.714 66.429

3         67.797 USA    Deborah Stanitski      Skovlunds de Nice      65.714 65.714 71.964

FEI Para Team Test Grade II – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         73.288 USA    Beatrice De Lavalette Clarc   74.652 71.318 73.894

2         66.919 USA    Alanna Flax-Clark       El Paso 66.667 67.727 66.364

3         56.313 USA    Laurietta Oakleaf       Comte Du Baccara C  56.818 57.424 54.697

FEI Para Team Test Grade III – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.255 USA    Charlotte Merle-Smith           Guata 72.5    71.471 72.794

2         71.52  CAN    Lauren Barwick          Sandrino         72.059 71.618 70.882

3         68.529 USA    Rebecca Hart Fortune 500   70.147 68.529 66.912

4         61.127 USA    Meghan Benge           Zoey   60.294 60.294 62.794

FEI Para Team Test Grade IV – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.833 USA    Kate Shoemaker        Solitaer 40      73.5    75       70

FEI Para Team Test Grade V – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         63.643 USA    Katie Jackson Scrabble         64.767 62.558 63.605

2         63.256 USA    Cynthia Screnci          Eragon VF       66.395 60.465 62.907

3         61.977 RSA     Cayla Van Der Walt    Daturo II         66.047 60.581 59.302

FEI Para Novice Test A Grade IV – CPEDI1*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Anne Prain     Adrienne Pot

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         71.684 USA    Kate Shoemaker        Barneby 29     70.879 69.845 74.328

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEST

29-Jan-21

FEI Para Individual Champ Grade I – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         79.345 USA    Roxanne Trunnell       Dolton 77.143 80.357 80.536

2         73.155 USA    Sydney Collier All In One       73.036 73.393 73.036

3         68.512 USA    Deborah Stanitski      Skovlunds de Nice      66.25  70.357 68.929

FEI Para Individual Champ Grade II – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.549 USA    Beatrice De Lavalette Clarc   73.382 72.941 71.324

2         66.961 USA    Alanna Flax-Clark       El Paso 65       68.235 67.647

3         64.647 USA    Laurietta Oakleaf       Comte Du Baccara C  63.618 66.559 63.765

FEI Para Individual Champ Grade III – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.941 USA    Rebecca Hart Fortune 500   72.5    74.265 72.059

2         71.323 USA    Charlotte Merle-Smith           Guata 71.176 69.559 73.235

3         69.265 CAN    Lauren Barwick          Sandrino         67.5    69.412 70.882

4         64.51  USA    Meghan Benge           Zoey   65.441 66.765 61.324

FEI Para Individual Champ Grade IV – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         73.252 USA    Kate Shoemaker        Solitaer 40      72.561 74.756 72.439

FEI Para Individual Champ Grade V – CPEDI3*

Equestrian Village                                                      Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         68.611 RSA     Cayla Van Der Walt    Daturo II         69.167 68.929 67.738

2         63.968 USA    Cynthia Screnci          Eragon VF       65.476 64.643 61.786

3         62.183 USA    Katie Jackson Scrabble         64.762 61.667 60.119

FEI Para Novice B Test Grade IV – CPEDI1*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Kjell Myhre     Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.857 USA    Kate Shoemaker        Barneby 29     72.857 72.857 72.857

FREESTYLES

30-Jan-21

FEI Para Freestyle Grade I – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert       Anne Prain

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         83.656 USA    Roxanne Trunnell       Dolton 83.834 87       80.134

2         74.556 USA    Sydney Collier All In One       74.334 71.667 77.667

3         69.523 USA    Deborah Stanitski      Skovlunds de Nice      69.667 70.334 68.567

FEI Para Freestyle Grade II – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                          Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert       Anne Prain

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         72.745 USA    Beatrice De Lavalette Clarc   74.834 70.334 73.067

2         67.978 USA    Alanna Flax-Clark       El Paso 67.834 66.5    69.6

3         62.212 USA    Laurietta Oakleaf       Comte Du Baccara C  59.834 62.334 64.467

FEI Para Freestyle Grade III – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert       Anne Prain

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         76.367 CAN    Lauren Barwick          Sandrino         77.834 75       76.267

2         76.256 USA    Rebecca Hart Fortune 500   77       73.167 78.6

3         72.667 USA    Charlotte Merle-Smith           Guata 73.667 72       72.334

4         69.133 USA    Meghan Benge           Zoey   72.5    67.5    67.4

FEI Para Freestyle Grade IV – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert       Anne Prain

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         75.867 USA    Kate Shoemaker        Solitaer 40      76.625 72.5    78.475

FEI Para Freestyle Grade V – CPEDI3*

                                                           Judges:

                                                           Adrienne Pot  Elke Ebert       Anne Prain

Final Ranking  Score %          Nation Athlete Horse E         C         M

1         73.15  RSA     Cayla Van Der Walt    Daturo II         75.25  72.875 71.325

2         71.542 USA    Cynthia Screnci          Eragon VF       72.125 71.75  70.75

3         64.033 USA    Katie Jackson Scrabble         63       61.875 67.225

National Para-Dressage Competition

Grade V Intro A          72.083            Andie Sue       Aniko

Grade V Intro B          74.375            Andie Sue       Aniko

Grade II FEI Team Test           71.060%         USA    Erika Wager

Grade II FEI Individual Test    70.59%           USA    Erika Wager