From the USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – June 17, 2016  – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named three athletes for the FEI World Para-Driving Championships for Singles. The Championships will take place August 3-6, 2016, in Beesd, The Netherlands.

The following athletes will compose the Team (in alphabetical order):

Virginia Boo Fitch West (Penhook, Va.)

Theresa Leal (Auburn, Calif.)

Stefanie Putnam (Lafayette, Calif.)

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has allocated this year’s FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championship to Beesd, the Netherlands. The event will take place August 3-6, 2016.  Beesd will host the World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships in conjunction with their annual national driving event, and it will parallel the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Piber, Austria which are also taking place at this time. For more information about 2016 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championship please visit

The FEI Para-Equestrian World Championship is held every two years internationally. United States Driving for Disabled (USDFD.org) has had the honor and privilege of helping to train and support FEI Para-Equestrian World Championship driving athletes who have represented the United States on nine occasions with significant success. U.S. drivers have brought home 16 Medals including 4 Gold, 6 Silver, and 6 Bronze.

For United States Driving For Disabled related questions regarding the Championships United States Driving for the Disabled please contact Marcie Quist, Competitive Committee Chairman, at quistlaw@gmail.com.

Please visit the United States Driving For Disabled at

For more information about the Para-Equestrian Driving sport please contact Laureen Johnson, USEF Director, Para-Equestrian and Vaulting, 908-326-1155, lkjohnson@usef.org

Or visit the USPEA at

The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) includes every recognized equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with an eligible physical impairment with a focus on Paralympic Equestrian Sports. . The USPEA is a network of current and past athletes, owners, officials, event organizers, and equestrian enthusiasts. The Association assists athletes to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Disciplines of Para-Equestrian.

USPEA was created to fill a need to assist Para Equestrian disciplines when they came under the governance of the FEI.  While Para Equestrian disciplines were originally segregated, they now are integrated in international sport.  As each individual Para Equestrian discipline develops, it is USPEA’s mission to always serve as an advisory resource with the ultimate goal that the established able-bodied discipline affiliate will integrate within their organization.

In 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status and became a recognized International affiliate association of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) working together to grow the FEI recognized disciplines by helping to provide press, educational information, symposiums and competition opportunities for athletes with eligible physical impairments.