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Announcing the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage
Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Kai Handt
Wellington, FL- January 23, 2014- As the 2014 Para-Dressage season kicks into gear, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. Handt’s new appointment will run through 2016 making him the United States Para-Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe/ Technical Advisor for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and the 2016 Paralympics. This new role is very familiar to Handt who has been a rider, trainer, and coach for nearly 40 years. Since relocating to the United States in 1985, Handt has built a large training program at his own North Texas Equestrian Center in Wylie, Texas. Handt not only trains multiple young riders in dressage but he also has earned his USDF bronze, silver, and gold medals as well as his silver and gold freestyle bars. Over the past six years, Handt has worked within the Para-Dressage world where he trained and sponsored the late Paralympian Jonathan Wentz. Handt helped Wentz ride to his full potential and reach his goals which included representing the U.S. Para-Dressage Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, winning the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship in 2011, and becoming the highest individual ranking U.S. rider that competed in London at the Paralympics. Handt will work closely with all current and potential para-dressage athletes preparing each rider and their horses for international competition. Kai Handt is an advocate for the para-dressage discipline and enjoys encouraging other sponsors, riders, and trainers to get involved with the sport. The ultimate goal of each high-performance discipline is to win medals. Kai Handt is excited for his future with the para-dressage program and looks forward to a medal winning 2014.
Kai Handt commented, “I am excited and honored by the decision of my peers to appoint me the Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe. I look forward to this exciting leadership position and will strive to make sure that our outstanding horses and riders will be a successful team on the national and international show circuit. With the help of our exceptional staff at the helm and a growing number of excellent supporters for our sport, I look forward to a fantastic future for all of our athletes.”
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Kai Handt with his horse NTEC Richter Scale (ridden by Jonathan Wentz) preparing for the trot up at the 2012 London Paralympics. Photo (C) Lindsay Yosay McCall
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Note from USEF:
The United States Federation (USEF) has named Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. The Search Committee, chaired by Eric Straus, USEF Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee, and USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee recommended Handt for this position.
On Saturday, January 25 at 7:00 am the USEF will host a breakfast forum for all potential Para-Equestrian 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games applicants and their trainers to meet with Handt for a meet-and-greet session and to begin the strategic planning for 2014. The forum will take place at the Asador Patagonia restaurant, 675 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Fla.
This opportunity to meet with Handt follows the USET Foundation’s “Soirée du Cheval” on Friday, January 24, 2014, where 21 individuals from para-equestrian sport will represent the discipline at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games fundraiser.
Reservations for the forum to meet Handt are required through Laureen Johnson, USEF High Performance Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting, 908-326-1155, or via email at lkjohnson@usef.org.
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