Rowlett, TX – January 29, 2015- The United States Olympic Committee recently selected Para-Dressage athlete Roxanne Trunnell, 29, of Rowlett, Texas, for the William E. Simon

Roxanne Trunnell aboard Nice Touch at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Also in the photo is U.S. Chef D’Equipe Kai Handt. Photo (c) SusanJStickle.com

Olympic Endowment for the Support of Athletes.

The William E. Simon Olympic Endowment for the Support of Athletes was established in 1998 by Mr. William E. Simon, Sr., former U.S. Olympic Committee President and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Grants for training and competition are awarded to athletes showing financial need. By creating this fund, Mr. Simon recognized the importance and many personal benefits of participating in sports. Awards are made once a year.

Roxanne Trunnell began her Dressage journey as an athlete when she first started her own business as a teenager to finance the purchase of her dream Warmblood horse. That dream came true in 2003 when she purchased Nice Touch (Touché). With a top-notch horse and a full riding schedule, Trunnell began making her way through the able-bodied Dressage ranks, earning her Bronze medal along the way. On October 31, 2009, life as she knew it changed forever when Trunnell awoke that evening unable to stand up without falling over. After a series of events and the best medical specialists around, the official diagnoses was inconclusive. In 2013, Trunnell got back in the saddle and started competing as a Para-Dressage rider. In less than a year she went from developing rider to internationally ranked para-dressage athlete. In 2014, Roxanne Trunnell was named to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Para-Dressage Team. Trunnell competed with her own horse Nice Touch during the Normandy, France, Games.  As a high-performance international Para-Dressage rider Trunnell is aiming for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Roxanne and father Sid Trunnell at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo (C) Jennifer Bryant.

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.