The United States Para-equestrian Association is grateful to the owners of each horse in the nominated entry for the 2010 U.S. Para Dressage Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Many equestrians are making their last preparations before their trip to Lexington, KY. One of the team members is Becca Hart, who has been riding her own horse Norteassa and Kerri Sowers' talented gelding Kazan over the last year. Both horses have led Hart to the 2010 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship and reserve championship titles. At this point, the horse that Hart will be riding at the 2010 WEG has not been decided.

The friendship between Hart and Kerri Sowers began at Blue Hill Farm riding under Jessica and Missy Ransehousen. Not long ago Hart was given the opportunity to ride Sowers' horse Kazan while Norteassa was resting. Together Hart and Kazan have made a great team.

Sowers says, "I have been very proud of Becca and Kazan. Kazan has proven himself in competition time and time again over the years and always has his best performances when the competitive pressure is the greatest! I would like to wish Becca the best of luck competing at WEG, regardless of which horse will be chosen."

Robin Brueckmann was also a top competitor at the USEF Para-Dressage National Championships. At WEG she will be riding Raison d'Etre, owned by Elly Schobel. Brueckmann and Schobel met at Anne Gribbon's barn years ago where they were both training. From that point on they have worked together, each  benefiting form the other's point of view. In the fall of 2009 Brueckmann told Schobel she was interested in qualifying Raison d'Etre for the para dressage team for the 2010 WEG.

"Ralee is a confident show horse," says Schobel. "He is convinced that everyone comes to the show to see him. Robin is an exceptional, intuitive rider, which is one of the reasons why she has been so successful as both a rider and trainer. Together they have the 'IT' factor--elegance, confidence and know-how.

"This is a dream come true for Robin, Ralee's breeders at Dreamtime Farm in Lexington, and me, as his owner, rider, groom and occasional 'scratching post,'" Schobel continues. " It is also a wonderful example of how a group of friends can breed such an exceptional athlete, train him and compete with him."

Jennifer Baker recently had to withdraw her horse Duel from the 2010 WEG. Akiko Yamazaki, owner of Steffen Peters' mount, Ravel, received word from her coach and trainer, Shannon Peters, that the para dressage team was looking for a new mount for Jennifer. Yamazaki knew this would be a perfect opportunity for Kranak.

"I had made a decision to retire 18-year-old Kranak in May," says Yamazaki. "What I did not realize was that Kranak did not enjoy being retired. He still wanted a job to do even though he had been a Grand Prix horse for ten years! When I received word that Jennifer needed a horse, plans were quickly made for her to come out and try him. I could immediately tell they were a great match and I could see that Jennifer was a kind of person who would really take good care of my beloved horse. Kranak is a great horse to ride, has excellent manners, has amazing canter pirouettes, and is 150 percent bomb-proof.

"From an owner's perspective I am so excited that Kranak gets to add one more thing to his resume," she adds. "He is a horse that deserves to have an honor such as participating at the 2010 WEG. He has always given so much to every rider and always puts a smile on his rider's face. I have no doubt that he will do the same for Jennifer."

 "I cannot believe that this is really happening to me," says Baker. "I have had a lot of heartaches in this journey and this has been a gift from heaven. I was a little intimidated when I first got on Kranak because I had never ridden a horse of his caliber but he was very patient with me. I thank Shannon Peters for making this happen for me. If it were not for her I would not have this opportunity. I would also like to thank Akiko for entrusting her precious Kranak to me. I will be honored to ride him in September."

Two years ago, 19-year-old Jonathan Wentz approached North Texas Equestrian Center (NTEC) owner and trainer Kai Handt. Handt has always trained top horses, has always qualified his juniors at the North American Young Rider Championships, and has earned top accolades including the 2009 USEF Silver Stirrup Award as Grand Champion FEI Horse of the Year.

Wentz had one goal in mind--to earn a spot on the United States para dressage team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Within a short time at the NTEC he had exemplified his top riding skills and he earned a ride on a Shire cross named NTEC Richter Scale. In June 2010 Wentz qualified for WEG and earned top awards at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships.

Handt says, "Jonathan is a really hard working guy and Richter Scale has really responded to him. I am looking forward to him competing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games."

Wentz says, "Kai is great. He is probably the most kind-hearted man on the planet. I am excited to be going to WEG. I started riding at a therapeutic riding facility but I always wanted to be competitive in horseback riding. Around that same time the para dressage world was starting to form. Shortly after, I moved to the North Texas Equestrian Center."

Mary Jordan will also compete in September at the 2010 WEG. She will be riding Paxton Abbey. For Jordan, taking the horse that was born in her lap is an exciting accomplishment. She says, " I bred Paxton Abbey, raised her and trained her myself. There is no other feeling like bringing your own horse along from birth to international FEI competition--and riding for your country."

Kim Decker will be riding Dashers Destiny for two people that are close to her heart, her parents Donna and Paul Decker.

Paul Decker says, "It has been 24 years since Kim's accident and she has worked long and hard to reach this accomplishment. To the best of our knowledge she is the only traumatic brain injury survivor to reach this level of riding for the USA. Kim and Dasher teamed up three years ago when we found him and bought him from Dreamhorse.com. We are thrilled and delighted that Kim and Dasher are on their way to the World Equestrian Games."

Erin Alberda will be showing her Swedish Warmblood Delectari at the World Equestrian Games. "He is my first horse," says Alberda. "I bought Dylan as a first level horse and it has been an incredible honor to be a part of his training alongside my trainer Jenny Nell.

Before Dylan I only rode schoolmasters where I was the inexperienced dance partner. Riding Dylan has required me to be a lot more confident in my riding. The best part of Dylan is that he has taught me how to laugh when I ride. He has quite a sense of humor! Owning the horse I will compete on adds a certain dimension of excitement and a bit of vulnerability. I am definitely proud that Dylan was bred and raised right here in the U.S."

Not every owner has been showcased above, but they are all very important in the future of each para-equestrian. The United States Para-equestrian Association would like to thank the owners of all of the para dressage equines that have been selected to the nominated entry for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The para dressage competition for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, takes place October 5-10, 2010. Riders will compete on a world stage in front of international judges, following FEI rules.

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 dressage riders will compete as an FEI sport for the first time.

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--email Wheeler966@aol.com or call (610)356-6481.

2010 WEG USEF Para Dressage Team Nominated Entries and Horse Owners:

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

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/Kranak/18/KWPN Dutch Warmblood/Gelding/Akiko Yamazaki

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/Gelding/ Bill & Jennifer Conour

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