July 21, 2010--On June 27, 2010 the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and the USEF Para-Dressage Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ concluded.

Riders then waited in anticipation to hear who would be selected for WEG.

 The para-dressage team will be lead by Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen, whose international experience on and off a horse will be an outstanding resource for the para dressage riders. Selectors of the 2010 team are Laura Sheer, Lynn Seidemann, David Schmutz and Sandy Raferty.

 2010 WEG™USEF Para-Dressage Team Nominated Entry:

Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner

Rebecca Hart/25/Erie, PA/Kazan/18/Dutch Warmblood/Gelding/Kerri Sowers

Robin Brueckmann/52/Summerfield, NC/Raison D'Etre/12/American Warmblood/Gelding/Elly Schobel

Laura Goldman/65/Highland Heights, OH/Calingford JD/11/Irish Sport Horse/Gelding/Trudy Phillips

Susan Treabess/33/Winters, CA/Moneypenny/16/Dutch Warmblood/Mare/Katy Peterson

Holly Bergay/17/Castle Rock, CO/Grand Ballerina/16/Oldenburg/Mare/Robin Garrett

Jonathan Wentz/19/Richardson, TX/NTEC Richter Scale/16/Shire Cross/Gelding/Kai Handt

Wendy Fryke/45/Parker, CO/Lateran/13/Westphalian/Stallion/Polly Limond

Jennifer J. Baker/46/Loveland, OH/Duel/16/Rhinelander/Gelding/University of Findlay

Mary Jordan/44/Wells, ME/Paxton Abbey/12/Hanoverian/Mare/Mary Jordan

Kim Decker/42/Centreville, VA/Dashers Destiny/16/Hanoverian/Gelding/Paul Decker

Erin Alberda/30/Woodinville, WA/Delectari/12/Swedish Warmblood/Gelding/Erin Alberda

Kathy Groves/49/Columbus, NC/Friespruch/ 16/Westphalian/Gelding/Kathryn Groves

Barbara Grassmyer/38/Placerville, CA/Mibis/16/Dutch Warmblood/Mare/Barbara Grassmyer

Kim Jones/43/Georgetown, SC/Fascination/Dutch Warmblood

Elizabeth Pigott/24/Downingtown, PA/Mr. Darcy/Dutch Warmblood

Of these 15 nominated riders 10 will be submitted for definite entry on September 30, 2010. The entire team is thankful for everyone that has been involved in their  journey. Without the sponsors, equestrian enthusiasts, coaches, horses, and everyone else involved, it would have been much more difficult.

Mary Jordan said, "For me this journey started more than a year ago and it has spanned two continents (from Seattle to Norway); two coastlines; multiple horses; multiple languages; a new car engine and transmission; and many miles by moped, truck, trailer and plane--not to mention all kinds of weather. It is not often as a rider that you get this type of opportunity and it is not often as a Multiple Sclerosis patient you even dream of this opportunity of riding at an international level. Lastly, it certainly is not often that you get to ride the horse that was born in your lap at the world games!"

The para-dressage competition for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, begins on October 5, 2010.

Riders will compete on a world-stage in front of international judges, following FEI rules, and top international competition in the covered arena. The individual team test will commence on October 5, and riders will compete for six days, ending with the individual freestyle test on October 10

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with physical disabilities. Each rider or driver competes under the eighth discipline, the para-equestrian discipline, of the United States Equestrian Federation. This year, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, the para-equestrian discipline will make history. The USEF High Performance Para-Equestrian Dressage team will compete as an FEI sport for the first time at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ held in Lexington, KY.

The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. Riders compete under the USEF rules during their national competitions and FEI rules during international competition and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport.

For more information about the USPEA or for donation opportunities, please contact Hope Hand, President of the USPEA (Wheeler966@aol.com, 610-356-6481.

To view online information about the USPEA please visit http://www.USPEA.org.