Wellington, FL-  January 7, 2016 – FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage Athletes from the

U.S. Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt waiting to jog NTEC Royal Dancer shown by 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games athlete Roxie Trunnell. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall

United States of America, Canada, and Mexico will be competing in The first $10,000 CPEDI3* of the 2016 Para-Equestrian Dressage Tour held in Wellington, Florida. The $10,000 CPEDI3* is held in the The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). January 8, commences with the Team Test competition, followed by the Individual Test on Saturday, and the Freestyle on Sunday. Para-Equestrian Dressage Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV will be participating. The FEI ground jury for January 8-10, includes Kristi Wysocki (USA), Carlos Lopes (POR), and Marco Orsini (GER). The $10,000 CPEDI3* is presented by Mission Control, Mane Stream, courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Adequan®, and Nutrena. The Para Equestrian Dressage Tour includes the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 8-10, and the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 21-24, 2016. The AGDF takes place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, from January 14 through April 2, 2016. The CPEDI3* events will be the first look at each horse and rider combination aiming for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Official Prize List posted on

Before the FEI Jog on Thursday, January 7, a Welcome Reception was held by Mission Control for the Para-Equestrians, their families, and guests. It was a chance to celebrate the kick-off of the new competition season and honor former Show Manager Lloyd Landkamer.

Wes Dunham jogging Sydney Collier’s mount Scampano 2, owned by KCR Dressage LLC. Photo (C) Lindsay Y. McCall

Hope Hand, President of the USPEA, noted, “We had a wonderful welcome reception under the VIP tent at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds. The reception marked the beginning of the last two Paralympic qualifiers. More then 90 athletes, grooms, sponsors and supporters attended. It was really gratifying to see such a turn out which emphasized just how much Para Dressage has grown over the last few years. Much of our success is due to a large part of Lloyd Landkamer’s vision of inclusion for the Para Equestrian athletes at the Global events. We miss Lloyd, but he will never be forgotten for his contributions to our sport. Thank you to our sponsors, Mission Control, Mane Stream, Rowan O’Riley, Adequan®, and Nutrena for kicking off the Road to Rio competitions. Good luck to everyone and enjoy some great rides.”

The CPEDI3* event begins in The Stadium at 10 AM on Friday with the Grade Ib horse and rider combinations. The show will finish at 2:30 PM.

Chef d’Equipe of the United States Para-Dressage Team Kai Handt is looking forward to the weekend competition. He expressed, “We have good riders and good horses. I watched everyone school today and the horses look fitter, they have the right trainers, they look even better than they did in Houston at the CPEDI3* where they had the highest U.S. team score ever. They look ready for the job. The United State riders are great. I’m looking forward to seeing clean, precise tests with no mistakes, good rhythm, good connections, and good corners. We have riders that are out competing around the world. They are riding in one stars and three stars and winning in Europe. We have good sponsors, good support, more people are involved, and the program is growing. I see no reason why these riders can’t compete to their best this weekend. This is the first time ever they are riding in the main international arena and everything is going their way. Now they just have to show everyone what they have.”

International Athletes in the CPEDI3* include:

Grade Ia:
Margaret McIntosh and Rio Rio (USA)
Roxanne Trunnell and NTEC Royal Dancer (USA)

Jody Schloss andLieutenant Lobin (CAN)
Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (CAN )

Grade Ib:

Sydney Collier and Scampano 2 (USA)
Sydney Collier and Western Rose (USA)
Laurietta Oakleaf and Nickel fan Busenitz (USA)

Ashley Gowanlock and Why Not Me (CAN)
Ashley Gowanlock and Ferdonia 2 (CAN

Grade II:

Kelly Boccia and Donauwalzer CSF (USA)
Rebecca Hart and Schroeter’s Romani (USA)
Deborah STanitski and Pilikua Koa (USA)

Lauren Barwick and Onyx (CAN)

Erika Baitenmann and Bruno  (MEX)

Grade III:
Eleanor Brimmer and London Swing (USA)
Pamela Hardin and Quarterjack (USA)
Angela Peavy and Lancelot Warrior (USA)
Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 (USA)

Grade IV:

Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (USA)

Paralympian Lauren Barwick’s (CAN) ride Onyx jogging at the CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL January 7-10, 2016. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall.

Shroeter’s Romani jogged by Fernando Ortega, ridden by Paralympian Rebecca Hart at the CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL January 7-10, 2016. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall.

Paralympian Rebecca Hart and her groom Fernando Ortega winning the FEI Jog Award. The FEI Jog Award was sponsored by Show Chic and Shop Chic EQ. Also pictured (Left) Mary-Cameron Rollins of Shop Chic EQ and Krystalann Shingler of Show Chic. Photo taken at the CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL January 7-10, 2016. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall.

The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is the world’s largest international and national dressage circuit featuring seven CDIs, including four CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*, the only non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, as well as weekly U.S. National events. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area. For more information please visit  www.globaldressagefestival.com .

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.