US Riders Look Forward to Freestyles; Great Britain Orchestrates Gold Medal Performances at 2008 Paralympic Games in Dressage
by Joanie Morris – U.S. Equestrian Federation
Hong Kong, China – The first medals were handed out at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong tonight, and although the US anthem wasn’t played, the Team is looking firmly to the future. They will ride their freestyle tests over the next two days and then focus on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games where they will be riding on their home turf.
Barb Grassmyer kicked …

Top dressage rider Luis Denizard and Courtney King-Dye (who trained under him early in her career) are offering their support for the the North American Riding For the Handicapped Horses For Heroes Program. This therapeutic riding program works with veterans who have been wounded and disabled in service to our country and protecting our freedoms. Not only are these true horseman supporting a great cause, they are bringing more awareness for this program; it’s a great time to do so as it’s the big Olympic and Paralympic year. Read on …

Paralympics selection trials for para-dressage were held May 16-18, 2008 in Wayne, Indiana, which were also the USEF national championships. Five horse and rider teams were named to the US team, which will compete in Hong Kong September 7-11.
“The U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Dressage Team is made up of some of the most talented riders in the sport,” said Pam Lane, USEF Director of Para Equestrian and Vaulting. “Currently, the U.S. is ranked fourth in the world. Everyone is very excited about representing the United States in Hong Kong.”
The US Riders …

It won’t be long before the 2008 Paralympics are underway in Beijing. A 3-hour flight away in Hong Kong, however, 73 riders from 28 nations will take to the arena at Sha Tin for Para-Equestrian dressage (also known as Para-Dressage).
Few people even know that there are equestrian sports in the summer Olympics, let alone the disciplines and their formats. I’m sure that exponentially fewer are aware of the Paralympics, and especially the Para-Dressage. Since I’ve been volunteering at a therapeutic riding facility and working intimitely with physically and mentally disabled …

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games may be over, but there is still some exciting international competition to come in Beijing and Hong Kong — the Paralympic Games! The Paralympic Games are a modified version of the Olympics for athletes with disabilities. As a rider, teacher, and therapeutic riding volunteer, these are near and dear to my heart!
Just as there are Olympic equestrian events, there is also Paralympic Equestrian compeititon, dressage to be exact. Not familiar with the Paralympics? Here’s a quick run-down.
Paralympic History
In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organized a sports …