Paralympic Partner Honored in Passing
El Dorado Hills, CA – November 7, 2015 – On October 15, 2015, two-time Paralympian Barbara Grassmyer said goodbye to her partner 21 year-old Mibis. The chestnut Royal Dutch Warmblood was retired in 2013 from international competition. Grassmyer and Mibis took the stage for their last international trip together at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3*. As a young child Barbara Grassmyer was as horse crazy as any little girl. Her father passed down the love for horses to herself and sister Jennifer. At 10 years old Grassmeyer began riding at All Season’s Riding Academy in Calif. where she competed at horse shows for the disabled. After many years of riding and a brief jumping history, her love for a Dressage horse and athletic ability led her to competitive Dressage. In 2000, Grassmyer served as an alternate for the U.S. Paralympic Team competing in Sydney, Australia. During that time riders were catch-riding horses around the world. In 2001 and 2002 she was the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. However, Grassmyer desired a partner of her own which is where Paralympic coach Missy Ransehousen stepped in to find her a horse for the 2004 Athens Paralympics. Mibis was found in Holland and it was love at first sight for Grassmyer. The year 2004 would begin the long term partnership and the duo would represent the U.S. Para-Dressage Team in Athens that same year. In 2006, Mibis and her rider earned the Gold Medal at the Pacific Rim Para-Equestrian Paralympic Qualifier in Vancouver, Canada. She was also Reserve Champion that year at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. In 2007, Grassmyer was a member of the U.S. Team at the Para-Dressage World Championships in Hartpury, England, followed by the 2007 Reserve Champion at the USEF Para-Equestrian National Championships. In 2008, the duo would once again make the U.S. Team where they flew to Hong Kong for the Beijing Paralympics. Mibis will be missed in her passing and was honored in a memorial on November 7, 2015.
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis at her 2013 retirement from international competition. Photo take at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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Barbara Grassmyer remembered, “On October 15, 2015, I had to say goodbye to my wonderful equine partner Mibis. She was the only USA horse who went to two Paralympic games, won gold medals in Canada, was USEF Reserve National Champion and loved taking her kids for rides around the farm. She went around the world with me and I will never forget her. She had a huge fan club starting when she was brought to the USA. She traveled to Greece, China, England, Beligum, Germany and Canada. She had more stamps on her passport than most.”
Grassmyer concluded, “The first midnight ride with only a floodlight will always be one of my favorite rides. She retired from the international level in 2013 at her favorite show grounds. She was my best friend and will always have a place in my heart.”
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis at her 2013 retirement from international competition. Photo take at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis and Barb’s Parents at Mibis’ 2013 retirement from international competition. Photo take at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis at her 2013 retirement from international competition. Photo take at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis at her 2013 retirement from international competition. Photo take at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis at the 2010 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and CPEDI3* held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Photo (C)Lindsay Y. McCall
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