USPEA Recently Awarded the USEF Affiliate Grant   

By: Lindsay Y. McCall 

 Lexington, KY – November 4, 2014 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association  (USPEA) would like to thank the United States Equestrian Federation ( USEF) for their support of the Para-Dressage Young Rider Program. As a USEF International Discipline Association the USPEA fosters the Para-Equestrian sport from the grassroots to the high performance level. The USPEA was recently awarded a USEF Affiliate Grant. Through this awarded USEF Affiliate Grant, the USPEA is able to further support the discipline at the young rider level. Offering high-level opportunities to young rider para-dressage athletes benefits not only the para-dressage sport and future international teams but the equestrian discipline as a whole. Those benefits include the new Para-Dressage Young Rider Championships.  With the collaborative efforts of USEF and USPEA, the FEI fully embraced inclusion for the Para-Dressage Discipline to be re

U.S. WEG Team Athlete Sydney Collier and her dog Journey. Journey became a media sensation at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com

presented at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships, starting in 2015.

President of the USPEA, Hope Hand, noted, “I am excited to finally have the opportunity to showcase these talented Young Riders at the 2015 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships. With the support of the USEF grant programs, the USPEA and our collaborative USEF coaching staff, we were able to successfully campaign two of our young riders all the way to Normandy, France, to represent us at the World Equestrian Games. We thank our ambassador and nominee for the USEF Youth Sportsmanship Award, Sydney Collier. Sydney and her dog Journey have tirelessly campaigned across the globe, spreading awareness about the high performance sport of Para-Dressage. We are proud to have Sydney on our USEF Team.”

Sydney Collier agreed, “”I would like to thank USEF for their incredible support of the USPEA Young Riders Program.  The continued growth and development of the program has allowed my education as an equestrian to advance both in and out of the saddle.  Carrying on my mentor and friend Jonathan Wentz’s dream of a thriving Young Rider program in the USPEA is a very important part of my mission, and continues to be possible because of this support.   A huge thank you to everyone at USEF from all the young riders of past, present, and future as we work towards our goals of becoming the best equestrians we can be for our country, and our horses. ”

The USPEA is grateful to the USEF for providing this grant for the education and support of the young athletes in this sport.

Willi Wesley and Sydney Collier at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com

Para-Dressage Young Rider Annie Peavy at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo copyright SusanJStickle.com

List of Para-Equestrian Radio Shows about the Para-Dressage Young Rider Program 

Para-Equestrian Show #278

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/09/25/dressage-radio-episode-278-para-dressage-wraps-2014-weg-with-sydney-collier-and-coach-wes/  

Para-Equestrian Show #248

July 31, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #218

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/07/31/dressage-radio-episode-218-developing-para-dressage-young-riders/  

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.