Wellington, Florida – March 23, 2021 – The 2021 Perrigo CPEDI3* was a historical international Para-Dressage competition March 12-14, 2021. The Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team maintained its FEI World Team Ranking with superb scores during the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, and number one FEI world ranked U.S. rider Roxanne Trunnell once again topped the individual competition with a world record score of 83.334%. With only five months until the Tokyo Paralympics, the U.S. is showcasing that they can maintain continued success in the international arena. As the Tokyo Paralympics approach all eyes will be on the United States Para-Dressage athletes. The U.S. Team and the para-dressage discipline’s success continues to be supported by phenomenal sponsors, show organizers, riders, coaches, volunteers, and multiple equestrian organizations including USPEA, USPDF, US Equestrian, and USET Foundation. In 2021, Perrigo Company plc was announced as the new title sponsor of all U.S. CPEDI para dressage competitions in 2021 and 2022.
The first of the Perrigo competitions was the Perrigo CPEDI 3*, March 12-14, 2021, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. The next event is the Perrigo Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI scheduled June 17-20, in Mill Spring, N.C.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Murray S. Kessler noted, “I was fortunate to first meet the incredible para dressage athletes during my time serving as president of the U.S. Equestrian Federation. It was a joy to watch the para dressage team, and the sport itself, grow from being largely unrecognized to being the number one team in the world.”
Kessler continued, “In fact, these athletes were so inspiring that as President and Chief Executive Officer of Perrigo Company, I felt compelled to join the Valuable 500, which is a global movement of CEOs putting disability on the business leadership agenda. Given the company’s focus on self-care and well-being, and the priority we place on our diversity and inclusion strategy, sponsoring the U.S. Equestrian Nations Cup para dressage competitions seemed like a natural extension of our inclusion efforts.”
Kessler concluded, “These are incredible athletes who, in their success, inspire others in the disabled community to pursue their dreams. They exemplify perseverance, demonstrating that anyone can set their mind on a goal and with patience and hard work, can accomplish great things. I’m proud that Perrigo is partnering with U.S. Equestrian on this sponsorship and wish the competitors the best of luck this season.”
With continued support, the U.S. riders continue to hit records and top world rankings. The evidence of this was seen when the Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team once again led the rankings at the Perrigo CPEDI3* held in Wellington. The U.S. Team was led by Para Dressage Chef d’Equipe and 2020 USOPC Paralympic Coach of the Year Michel Assouline. Team combinations included Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Dolton, owned by Karen Flint and Flintwoode Farms LLC, Rebecca Hart (Loxahatchee, Fla.) aboard El Corona Texel, owned by Rowan O’Riley, Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and Solitaer 40, owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker; and Beatrice de Lavalette (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Clarc, owned by Elizabeth and Nicolas de Lavalette.
Team member Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton scored spectacular scores under judges Carlos Lopes (POR), Marco Orsini(GER), and Adrienne Pot(USA). Trunnell and Dolton earned an 80.119% in the Team Test, an 83.334 in the Individual Test, and an 83.5% in the freestyle. They will be a duo to watch as the calendar approaches this summer.
Trunnell was happy with her scores over the weekend. She noted, “I felt like the tests went really well. My trainer (Andrea Woodard) and myself went home from the CPEDI3* at Global in January 2021 knowing that we needed to improve the halts, make them squarer, and work on Dolton stretching more into the bit in the stretch down. I think we improved those parts of the tests significantly.”
Trunnell and Dolton plan to show in a few national shows before heading to the Perrigo Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI scheduled June 17-20, in Mill Spring, N.C. This show is also the final Paralympic Observation Event.
Fellow U.S. team member Rebecca Hart will also head to Tryon this summer. Hart demonstrated top tests with both horses El Corona Texel and Fortune 500. The duo of El Corona Texel and Hart helped the team achieve a top overall percentage. A veteran Paralympian, Hart will be a rider to watch as the athletes head to their Paralympic qualifier. During the Perrigo CPEDI3* Hart was happy with her progress.