Wentz Obtains 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and USA Team Achieves First at CPEDI3*

Saugerties, NY - Intensity, impulsion, power are three words that defined Sunday's Para-Equestrian Individual Test competition at the 2011 NEDA Fall Festival of Dressage. Sunday was the last day of the CPEDI 3* and it was the championship day for the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. After Saturday's Freestyle only a tenth of a point separated Jonathan Wentz and Dale Dedrick for the National Championship. Following an exceptional day of tests Wentz earned the scores he needed to earn the national championship. Only .308 behind Wentz was Dale Dedrick and Bonifatius who garnered the highest score of the day from Judge E, Anne Prain of France, a 75%. Dedrick's percentage secured the reserve championship accolade. In the CPEDI3* Team competition Para-Equestrians from USA, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and Bermuda competed in Grades Ia-IV under judges Anne Prain of France, Kjell Myhre of Norway, and Carlos Lopes of Portugal. The USA achieved the top ranking with team members Jonathan Wentz, Mary Jordan, Wendy Fryke, and Rebecca Hart.

Hart was the third place finisher in the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in addition to supporting the USA Team competition. After three days of tests Hart was delighted with Lord Ludger. She noted, "I was really happy with LoLu; this was his first major competition where he had to be on it three days in a row. He handled the pressure and he even stepped up to the plate for me."

The judge's cards from Saturday gave the Para-Equestrians big goals for Sunday. Hart explained, "They want to see power, energy, and moving forward. I was there a few times and LoLu said, 'too much'. There were a few little bobbles on my test today that I would have loved to fix. When we were coming into an extension I asked for a little too much and he was like, 'oh canter' and I said no trot, and he came right back to me. I also got a little over driving at the walk and I needed to settle because the walk was already big enough."
 
Keeping a consistent pace while creating impulsion was important in Wentz's rides on both horses during the Individual Tests. Wentz acknowledged, "Yesterday I did well on Gabe (NTEC Jabriel) but we went really fast and got a little wild. That type of ride was not a good foundation to build on to attain our final goal, the Olympics. Today we worked on keeping a slower pace while riding a more precise test and keeping his head up.  We lost some points but it was a good foundation ride to build on."

Wentz continued, "Both horses today were wonderful and their extensions were beautiful. Richter was giving it all today and I could tell he was tired.  I had to work hard to keep him nice and forward but I couldn't get too pushy because there is a fine line between going forward and keeping him supple."

Today's National Championship came down to decimal points between Wentz and Dale Dedrick but the individual scores were not necessarily the main focus today since there is only one year before the 2012 London Paralympics. Hart mentioned, "Everyone has been riding really well this weekend and it is very exciting to see so many new horses. The growth that is happening is awesome to see." Wendy Fryke whose scores counted toward the CPEDI3* Team event responded, "I think everyone has had really good rides today. It's hard to want to beat the Canadians because they are the nicest people on earth so you feel bad about wanting to do that. However, our team really did their job today.  As Para-Equestrians we have made huge strides but the reality is we can't sit on our laurels." 

Dr. Dale Dedrick came into Thursday's jog, as a new Grade II Para-Equestrian. With consistent scores never dropping below 70% she rightfully earned the reserve championship aboard Bonifatius. "My horse was great today he was ready and he answered every question I asked. This was the first time I had the feeling of an upper level horse. He was really lifting up and acceleration off. I can't praise him enough for his performance."
 
Dedrick of Ann Arbor Michigan will be traveling to Wellington, FL this winter along with many other Para-Equestrians including Rebecca Hart and Elizabeth Pigott to compete in a CPEDI at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center.
 
Jonathan Wentz earned the national championship followed by Dale Dedrick in reserve and Rebecca Hart taking home the third place ribbon.  Wentz added more accolades earning the fourth place with NTEC Jabriel and Wendy Fryke followed for fifth place. In the sixth position was Mary Jordan. As a Grade IV rider Jordan also represented the USA team.

Jordan had an exciting week overall, the owner of Sebastian, Deecie Denison, gave Jordan the opportunity to ride this horse just one week before the CPEDI3*. Jordan had a short week to qualify to ride at the CPEDI3*. Jordan noted, "I brought him home on Friday, I rode Saturday, had bladder surgery on Monday, rode Wednesday, and brought Sebastian to Saugerties on Thursday.  With only my fourth ride on this horse we received our qualifying score. Both of my horses didn't put a foot wrong all weekend."
 
Jordan was looking forward to the Team competition when she was chosen for the U.S.A. Team this week. She smiled, "I was thrilled to be selected to ride on the team. It really motivated me to earn good scores for the team. This weekend has been a great team experience and a wonderful team building opportunity." 

For Team Canada this weekend's competition was also about growth. Chef d'Equipe Elizabeth Quigg noted, "This weekend was good exposure for those riders who are coming up through our ranks. We brought some less experienced horse and rider combinations to really test them on the international scene. This CPEDI also gave everyone a chance to have the team experience. It is really important to get these riders and horses into an environment that is unfamiliar." After this weekend Team Canada is planning to travel to Florida to compete at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center and then onto Del Mar, CA for the 2012 Dressage Affaire.
 
Para-Equestrian competitors have an exciting year to look forward to. In January, the first CPEDI3* in Wellington, FL will occur. Many Para-Equestrians will be traveling to either Florida, Mexico, California, or even Portugal to gain more experience in the international show scene before the 2012 the London Paralympics.
 
The 2011 NEDA Fall Festival of Dressage and the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship would not have been possible without the support of sponsors, volunteers, the NEDA horse show managers, USEF, equestrians, and family members. The USPEA would like to thank NEDA for providing a beautiful facility and for hosting the Para-Equestrians at a spectacular horse show.

2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship Results:

Champion: Jonathan Wentz NTEC Richter Scale, Grade Ib, 71.531
Reserve Champion: Dale Dedrick Bonifatius, Grade II,  71.223
3.  Rebecca Hart, Lord Ludger, Grade II, 67.890
4.  Jonathan Wentz, NTEC Jabriel, Grade Ib 67.743
5.  Wendy Fryke, Lateran, Grade III 67.063
6.  Mary Jordan, Sebastian, Grade IV 66.835
7.  Donna Ponessa, Otto, Grade Ia, 66.689
8.  Donna Ponessa, Western Rose, Grade Ia, 66.612
9.  Robin Brueckmann, Radetzky, Grade IV 64.634
10. Elizabeth Pigott, Whitney's Willow, Grade II 64.350
11. Mary Jordan, P. Sparrow Socks, Grade IV 64.086
12. Kim Decker, Dasher's Destiny, Grade Ia, 60.873
13. Brenda Wyss, NTEC Manchada, Grade Ia, 60.081
14. Laurietta Oakleaf, Niekele fan Busenitz, Grade Ib, 58.739
15. Laura Goldman, NTEC Daytona Beach, Grade Ia, 57.427
16. Laurietta Oakleaf, Quimerico KF, Grade Ib 55.883
17. Eleanor Brimmer, Carino H, Grade III, 54.754
18. Frederick Win, Kaboom, Grade IV, 54.349
19. Eleanor Brimmer, Vadico Interagro, Grade III 53.413
 
TEAM RESULTS:
1.  USA
2.  CANADA

USA Team Members:
Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale
Wendy Fryke and Lateran
Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger
Mary Jordan and Sebastian

CANADA Team Members:
Robyn Andrews and Fancianna
Madison Lawson and McGuire
Stephanie Ross and Wiesenblute
Jody Schloss and Inspector Rebus

WINNER OF 2011 TRILOGY AWARD:
Wendy Fryke
 
2011 NEDA FALL FESTIVAL OF DRESSAGE BEST DRESSED "JOGGER" AT THE FEI JOG (Compliments of SHO CLOTHES www.shoclothes.com)

BEST DRESSED FEMALE - Rebecca Hart
BEST DRESSED MALE - Jonathan Wentz
*both riders earned $100 Gift Certificate to SHO CLOTHES

$50 Cash Award to Highest CPEDI Freestyle Donated by Elaine Donogue:
James Dwyer of Ireland
 
Draper Equine Therapies presented Best Foot Forward Award to Trainer Sabine Rijssenbeek for Promoting a Positive Attitude
 
September 18, 2011 CPEDI Para-Equestrian Dressage Individual Test Competition Results:
 
Judges: E-Anne Prain (France)  C- Kjell Myhre (Norway), M- Carlos Lopes (Portugal)

Grade Ia: Name, Country, Horse, Total Score
1.    Jody Schloss, CAN, Inspector Rebus,68.417
2.    Donna Ponessa, USA, Western Rose, 67.083%
3.    Donna Ponessa, USA, Otto, 66.583%
4.    Robyn Andres, CAN, Fancianna, 64.833%
5.    Kim Decker, USA, Dasher's Destiny 61.833%
6.    Brenda French Wyss, USA, NTEC Manchada, 61.167%
7.    Robyn Andrews, CAN, Ravallo Son, 59.333%
8.    Alexander Mitchell, BER, Guiness Maskell, 57.167%
9.    Laura Goldman, USA, NTEC Daytona Beach, 56.250%

Grade Ib: Name, Country, Horse, Total Score
1.    Jonathan Wentz, USA, NTEC Richter Scale 71.812%
2.    Jonathan Wentz, USA, NTEC Jabriel, 69.203%
3.    Laurietta Oakleaf, USA, Niekele Fan Busenitz, 58.986%
4.    Laurietta Oakleaf, USA, Quimerico KF, 56.377%

Grade II: Name, Country, Horse, Total Score
1.    Dale Dedrick, USA , Bonifatius, 72.063%
2.    Rebecca Hart, USA, Lord Ludger, 68.492%
3.    Maria Fernada Otheguy, MEX, One Night Stand, 65.873%
4.    Elizabeth Pigott, USA, Whitney's Willow, 63.254%
5.    Charlotte Bathalon, USA, Sportsfield Twist, 60.635%

Grade III: Name, Country, Horse, Total Score
1.    Erin Alberda, USA, Pavalina, 67.056%
2.    Wendy Fryke, USA, Lateran, 68.889%
3.    Stephanie Ross, CAN, Wiesenblute, 62.500%
4.    Eleanor Brimmer, USA, Carino H, 54.056%
5.    Eleanore Brimmer, USA, Vadico Interagro, 53.556%

Grade IV: Name, Country, Horse, Total Score
1.    James Dwyer, IRL, Orlando, 69.624%
2.    Mary Jordan, USA, Sebastian, 66.828%
3.    Robin Brueckmann, USA, Radetzky, 64.731%
4.    Lynne Poole, CAN, Frisbee, 64.462%
5.    Mary Jordan, USA, P. Sparrow Socks 64.247%
6.    Robin Brueckmann, USA, Radetzky, 66.833%
7.    Madison Lawson, CAN, McGuire, 63.333%
8.    Frederick Win, USA, Kaboom, 53.065