Wellington, FL – March 12, 2017 – Paralympian and World Equestrian

	Annie Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan, and Nutrena March 9-12, 2017, in Wellington, FL . Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Games’ athlete Annie Peavy showcased a brand new partnership at the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* March 9-12. The nine-year old Oldenburg Royal Dark Chocolate and Grade IV rider Peavy dominated over the weekend earning the overall high score award. The duo was one of four combinations on the Gold Medal U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team presented by Deloitte which included Peavy’s teammates Laurietta Oakleaf (Grade II), Katie Jackson (Grade V), Mary Jordan (Grade V), and Chef d’ Equipe/U.S. Para-Dressage Technical Advisor Kai Handt. Equestrians from both Canada and the United States competed in The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in front of Ground Jury members Carlos Lopes (POR), Adrienne Pot (USA), and Elke Ebert (GER). The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* was presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena.

Chef d’ Equipe Kai Handt was pleased with the U.S. Team’s performance he explained, “This was a really good show with severalscores in the 70’s. We are finally getting people coming up and aiming at the high performance division and aiming to the levels we want them at. We had a bunch of new horse and rider combinations and they all did very well for showing for the first time. Overall it was a great CPEDI3*.”

U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team presented by Deloitte Left to Right: Katie Jackson, Mary Jordan, Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt, Annie Peavy, and Laurietta Oakleaf (Sitting)at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan, and Nutrena March 9-12, 2017, in Wellington, FL . Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate were consistent over three days earning an average score of 71.894%. Peavy looked comfortable on the mare that arrived only five weeks before the international show. Peavy commented, “This weekend was great with Cocoa. She is such a joy to ride. I was so used to Lance (Lancelot Warrior) and knowing him in the show ring, so getting to know Cocoa has been an exciting new adventure. She’s so light in my hand and elastic. I have been enjoying her canter especially her expressive medium canter.”

Following the CPEDI3* Peavy will continue to show at the Global Dressage National shows. Peavy continued, “Following this show season we are talking about heading to Europe with Cocoa this summer, but it’s still in the works. I look forward to our future together and I am thankful to my mom Rebecca Reno, my trainer Heather Blitz, and my groom Alex Philpin for all of their hard work and support. I am also thankful to all the volunteers, show managers, and show staff at Global. Thank you for letting us ride in The Stadium. It’s important as a Para-Dressage athlete that competes internationally to show in an international venue like Global.”

Also on a new mount at the CPEDI3* was U.S. Grade V rider Katie Jackson. Jackson topped Grade V with NTEC Royal Dancer. Jackson had only one week to work with Royal and after two days of great results the duo earned a 74.458% in the freestyle.

“I am having so much fun getting to know Royal Dancer,” said Jackson.  “He is a kind and powerful horse and I am really benefiting from all of his experience in the show ring.”  The Team Test was our first time down centerline together and overall I was pleased with our ride. I was also happy with the improvements we made in the individual test.  Although it is a more challenging test, our score improved and we received very positive feedback from the judges.  I am extremely grateful for Julia Handt and Rachel Zent for trusting me with this amazing horse and to Kai Handt to his coaching and generous support.”

Katie Jackson and NTEC Royal Dancer at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan, and Nutrena March 9-12, 2017, in Wellington, FL . Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Jackson continued, “This is only my second CPEDI3* so being named to Team USA was a huge honor.  Everyone had really nice rides both days. I’ve been on quite a journey over this past year and to be able to represent our country alongside such talented teammates is incredible. I am very thankful for the valuable experience I have gained riding in The Stadium at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.  It takes an amazing amount of time and tireless dedication to our sport by so many people to make these shows possible. I am very thankful to the show organizers, our delegates and judges, USEF, USPEA, and our fantastic sponsors Deloitte, Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena and our Chef d’ Equipe Kai Handt.”

	Charlotte Merle – Smith and Firewalker at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan, and Nutrena March 9-12, 2017, in Wellington, FL . Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

Following the CPEDI3* Jackson will ride in the Para-Equestrian Symposium with Michel Assouline. She will focus next on U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Tryon, NC in September.

Grade III top rider was U.S. athlete Charlotte Merle-Smith. Merle-Smith rodeFirewalker to three blue accolades.”The weekend went great,” said Merle-Smith. “I am really happy because each test was better than the last. I finally got that feeling that everything is coming together. I have a horse that does everything I tell him to do but I don’t always ask him the right way so it’s cool when I ask him correctly and feel the connection. In the freestyle I could feel my body smiling and I was really having fun.”

Dominating Grade II was U.S rider Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz. “I am very happy with Nikki’s achievements and progress this year,” smiled Oakleaf. ” We have much to improve on but we are going in the right direction.  Thanks to Missy Ransehousen and my other sponsors: Limelight Saddlery, Pat Myers, Horse Tech, Cheval International, Core Pilates, Equissentials,  and John Hammrick. It was a beautiful weekend at

	Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz  at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan, and Nutrena March 9-12, 2017, in Wellington, FL . Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall

wonderful show grounds. All the riders rode beautifully. Thanks to Deloitte for their team sponsorship, the judges and technical staff, US Equestrian, and USPEA.”

Grade I top rider was Jody Schloss of Canada and her partner Lieutenant Lobin. This is Schloss’ second year on Lieutenant Lobin. Schloss explained, “Lobin has really started to enjoy his job as a Para-Dressage horse. Last year we were still getting to know each other – this year we are really a team, we trust each other and are working together. I’ve been focusing on the accuracy and flow of the new tests in training at home and that really paid off this weekend. We were able to show a steady tempo and harmony thru the movements. I’m looking forward to competing in September at the CPEDI3* in Tryon and seeing the venue for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.”

2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* was the second of two CPEDI3* events held in Wellington. Para-Dressage riders will head to the West Coast for the June 15-18, CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, Calif. and then to Tryon, NC for the September 14-17, CPEDI1*, CPEDI2*, CPEDI3* and USEF Para Equestrian Dressage National Championship Sponsored by Deloitte.

Adequan® Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3* presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena

Team Results March 10-12, 2017

USA Gold
Name and Horse, Grade, Team Score, Individual ,Total

Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz (USA) (Grade II)  67.879, 70.784, 69.332
Angela Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate (USA) (Grade IV) 72.250, 71.057, 71.654
Katie Jackson and Royal Dancer (USA) (Grade V) 67.872, 69.921, 68.897
Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (USA) (Grade V)

Total=209.882

CANADA Silver
Jody Schloss and Lieutenant Lobin (CAN) (Grade I) 69.524, 71.250, 70.387
Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (CAN) (Grade I) 68.274, 69.286, 68.780
Laura Hall and Boo Sinclair (CAN) (Grade IV) 65.750, 65.203, 65.477

Total= 204.644

Friday, March 10, 2017 Team Test Results
Judges E:  Adrienne Pot (USA) C: Carlos Lopes (POR)  M: Elke Ebert (GER)
Name and horse (Country), Judge E, Judge C, Judge M, Total Overall

Grade V
1. Katie Jackson and Royal Dancer (USA), 67.640, 66.593, 69.384, 67.872
2. Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (USA), 68.140,66.047, 69.302, 67.829

Grade IV

1. Angela Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate (USA)72.125, 72.125, 72.500, 72.250
2. Pamela Hardin and Quaterjack (USA)67.375, 69.250,65.625, 67.417
3. Laura Hall and Boo Sinclair (CAN) 63.875, 66.625, 66.750, 65.750
4. Eleanor Brimmer and London Swing (USA)63.500, 58.125, 61.375, 61.000

Grade III
1. Charlotte Merle-Smith and Firewalker (USA) 63.824, 62.941, 64118, 63.627

Grade II
1.Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz (USA)66.212, 68.939, 68.485, 67.879
2. Dale Dedrick and Bardondales Ultrasuede (USA)66.970, 66.818, 67.273, 67.020

Grade I
1. Jody Schloss and Lieutenant Lobin (CAN)68.214, 70.357, 70.0, 69.524
2. Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (CAN) 67.679, 67.321, 69.821, 68.274

Saturday, March 11, 2017 Individual Test Results
Judges E:Elke Ebert (GER) C:Adrienne Pot (USA)  M: Carlos Lopes (POR)

Name and horse (Country), Judge E, Judge C, Judge M, Total Overall

Grade V
1. Katie Jackson and Royal Dancer (USA), 67.738, 70.119, 71.905, 69.921
2. Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (USA), 65.714, 67.143, 67.500, 66.786

Grade IV

1. Angela Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate (USA)74.756, 69.634, 68.780, 71.057
2. Pamela Hardin and Quaterjack (USA)68.159, 67.671,66.939, 67.589
3. Laura Hall and Boo Sinclair (CAN) 67.439, 63.415, 64.756, 65.203
4. Eleanor Brimmer and London Swing (USA)63.890, 60.720, 63.768, 62.793

Grade III
1. Charlotte Merle-Smith and Firewalker (USA) 62.441, 65.235, 65.088, 64.255

Grade II
1.Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz (USA)70.0, 72.5, 69.853, 70.784
2. Dale Dedrick and Bardondales Ultrasuede (USA)67.353, 68.824, 66.912, 67.696

Grade I
1. Jody Schloss and Lieutenant Lobin (CAN)69.643, 70.536, 73.571, 71.250
2. Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (CAN) 69.643 68.214, 70, 69.286

Sunday, March 12, 2017 Freestyle Test Results
Judges E:Carlos Lopes (POR) C:Elke Ebert (GER)  M:Adrienne Pot (USA)
Name and horse (Country), Judge E, Judge C, Judge M, Total Overall

Grade V
1. Katie Jackson and Royal Dancer (USA), 74.750, 72.125, 76.5, 74.458
2. Mary Jordan and Rubicon 75 (USA), 67.125, 67.5, 69.5, 68.042

Grade IV
1. Pamela Hardin and Quaterjack (USA) 74.125, 71.750, 74.5, 73.458
2. Angela Peavy and Royal Dark Chocolate 74.125, 71.375, 71.625, 72.375
3. Eleanor Brimmer and London Swing (USA)63.875, 65.750, 68.250, 65.958

Grade III
1. Charlotte Merle-Smith and Firewalker (USA) 72.167, 69.167, 65.833, 69.056

Grade II
1.Laurietta Oakleaf and Niekele Fan Busenitz (USA)72.167, 70.5, 69.833, 70.833
2. Dale Dedrick and Bardondales Ultrasuede (USA)69.5, 70.667, 70, 70.056

Grade I
1. Robyn Andrews and Fancianna (CAN) 73.333, 72.833, 73.500, 73.222
2. Jody Schloss and Lieutenant Lobin (CAN)70.833, 71.167, 69.0, 70.333

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.