Rebecca Hart and Kazan

Rebecca Hart
-Born: October 26, 1984
-Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Rebecca Hart was born with Familial Spastic Paraplegia a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and lack of control from the waist down. Rebecca got involved with the Paralympic movement in 1998 at a regional competition in Atlanta, GA that served as the selection trials for the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. It was at that competition that Rebecca decided she wanted to aim for international competition herself.

Rebecca purchased her first horse and began to seriously start training for national and international competition. Over the years, Rebecca has represented the United States at several international events, including the 2003 and 2007 Para-Equestrian World Championships.

In 2006, Rebecca was the National Champion at the USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships. With her current competition horse, Norteassa, Rebecca won the 2008 National Para-Equestrian Championships and was named to the 2008 Paralympic equestrian team. Hart represented the US at the 2008 Paralympics in Hong Kong where she went on to place fourth individually.

Hart also had a strong 2009 season once again claiming the National Para-Equestrian Championship.

In 2010, Hart not only defended her National Champion title but also claimed Reserve Champion honors as well. Hart won first prize with the Dutch Warmblood Gelding Kazan and reserve honors with her 2008 and 2009 National Champion and 2008 Paralympic partner Norteassa.

Hart represented the U.S. at the 2010 WEG and finished 11th in Grade II with Norteassa.

When not riding Hart enjoys kayaking, sailing, camping and rock climbing. She is currently a student at Penn State University and is majoring in international business and accounting. Rebecca is looking to become a forensic accountant upon graduation.

Rebecca’s Update 2012 BIO:

Rebecca Hart, 27,(Unionville, PA)-Under the tutelage of Rolex Eventer Missy Ransehousen and Olympian Jessica Ransehousen, Hart has spent half of her life at Blue Hill Farm perfecting Classical Dressage. Born with Familial Spastic Paraplegia, a genetic disease that causes muscle wasting and lack of control from the waist down, Hart excelled through her academics and became an international star in Para-Dressage. Her energetic personality and full-time job at Starbucks Corporate keeps her smiling no matter the weather. Since 2008 she has earned five USEF National Championships, earned a 4th place finish at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, represented the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and was champion in 2011 at a CPEDI3* in Australia. Hart was only one spot away from earning a medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. This year she is armed with Jessica Ransehousen’s horse Lord Ludger for the Grade II competition.