PAS DE DEUX…………….SUCCESS FOR PARA EQUESTRIAN RIDER AND GRAND PRIX PARTNER AT AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Emma Bennett, Grade III Rider made her debut at the Australian Dressage Championships on Oct 28th at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (Sydney Olympic Equestrian venue), with Grand Prix Aachen success Matthew Dowsley. Scheduled immediately before the Grand Prix Kur, Emma riding her own chestnut gelding, Prime Time, teamed up with Cinderella, the Chestnut star of the Australian Team at the World Equestrian Games for a very entertaining Pas de Deux. Perfectly behaved Prime Time matched the huge Mare in all her movements finishing with a touch of anything you can do, I can do too – steps of passage. Emma has been named in the Long List of 7 riders for the Para Equestrian World Championships in England in July 07 after a successful performance at the RDAA National Championships. Emma is no stranger to major events, having been part of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony horse ride that opened proceedings.. It was after this that she had a serious car accident which resulted in her being classified as a Grade III rider. The enthusiastic response from the equestrian audience, reinforced the view from Moorsele in Belgium, that the Pas de Deux combination of Para Equestrian and Grand Prix rider is a winning combination.

Para-Equestrian Sport in Australia

Vision Statement

• Significantly improve Australia’s performance in equestrian competition at the 2008 Paralympics and beyond.
• This will be achieved through partnerships with key stakeholders which include:
  • Athletes
  • Athletes personal coaches
  • Program Staff
  • Supporters
  • Riding for the Disabled Association
  • Australian Paralympic Committee

PARALYMPIC PREPARATION PROGRAM VALUES

1. We are all ultimately accountable for our own performance
2. We are dedicated to doing what it takes to achieve our goals
3. We make the commitment that is necessary to achieve our goals
4. Athlete input is integral to our program development
5. We respond positively to feedback
6. We protect openness in communication
7. Our processes and decisions are clear and transparent
8. We are honest with ourselves and in our dealings with each other and the wider community
9. We demonstrate respect for one another
10. We value feedback from athletes, coaches and team management
11. We demonstrate our appreciation for what others do for us
12. We believe that we should enjoy our involvement in equestrian activities
13. We believe that working as a Team will improve our individual performance

Team Appointments

Mary Longden has been appointed to the position of Head Coach

Mary is an International Level Three Coach, an IPEC International Dressage Judge and Chair of the Education Committee of FRDI. Mary’s expertise in the field of therapeutic riding and training is second to none and as an educator and presenter Mary truly enriches lives. Mary is the author of two internationally respected books: Teaching Disabled Riders and Coach with Courage. Mary’s ability to think outside the square and modify training techniques to match the capabilities of the rider makes her a truly unique and extremely talented Para-Equestrian Coach. Marys email address is longden@sympac.com.au

Ken Dagley has been appointed to the position of Team Manager

Ken Dagley is an equestrian sports administrator and is currently National President of the Australian Horse Riding Centres, on the National Executive of RDAA, Lead Auditor HorseSafe Code of Practice and a respected management consultant to corporate Australia. Kens email address is ken.dagley@bigpond.com

 

 

The future of Para Equestrian Sport Internationally

Click here to view Mary Longden's Appointment to FEI - Press Release

We would like to thank Mrs Jonquil Salt OBE who is the current Chair of IPEC, for allowing us to include an informative article on the Discipline of Para-Equestrian Sport

Dressage competitions for riders with disabilities started in Scandinavia and in Great Britain in the 1970s. In 1987 the first dressage World Championship was held in Sweden, and we first took part in the Paralympic Games in 1996. Para Equestrian Driving is a World Championship Sport. In 1991, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) appointed IPEC (the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee) to run competitions and develop equestrian sport all over the world. This has been done very successfully, and in 2005 we had some 38 nations from five continents competing. IPEC has now joined the FEI as Para Equestrian, their 8th discipline, moving governance from a general sports organisation (IPC) to one specialising in equestrian sport (FEI).

Mission Statement

To foster the growth and excellence of international equestrian sport for athletes with a disability by:

• Developing equestrian sport for people with disabilities and
• Providing competition opportunities for riders and drivers with disabilities to enable them to achieve their personal best performance in their chosen discipline

The Sport

This is a unique form of physical activity as it involves two finely-tuned partners, the rider or driver and the horse. It is available to and practiced by equestrians with a wide variety of disabilities.

If you want to take part. - The first action a would-be FEI PE international rider or driver should take is to contact their National Equestrian Federation, (NF), whose address can be found through local riding clubs, the telephone directory, a Para Equestrian official, or the FEI – info@horsesport.org. via the Directory page.

Classification

Amongst athletes with disabilities there are many different types of impairments. To provide meaningful competition for such athletes, their disability needs to be classified so that people with similar levels of impairment can be grouped into Grades in which they compete together. Riders are Graded on their impairment and judged on their equestrian ability, or skill. The most disabled athletes (Grade Ia) ride tests in walk only; the least disabled (Grade IV) ride tests of medium (M) standard. The NF will advise you about being classified. This is a functional classification, assessed by PE accredited classifiers. Having been classified, the riders are given a functional profile number, and a Grade. When necessary, riders can use compensating aids approved by FEI PE, such as a special saddle, adapted reins, elastic bands, two whips etc.

Rules

The FEI web pages should be consulted, and the discipline Rules downloaded and studied (www.horsesport.org/Para Equestrian). All riders must enter international competitions through their NF. The Paralympic Games are still under the governance of the IPC.

Horses

International riders and drivers need to have access to a suitable horse/horses trained to the required standard on which to train and compete. The rider should also have access to and lessons from a specialist trainer on a regular basis. Riders in Grades III and IV should compete in national dressage competitions for the able-bodied, and riders in Grades Ia, Ib and II should compete whenever and where ever possible. Drivers should compete in competitions for the able-bodied. If chosen for a national squad, riders should be prepared to:

• Attend training sessions as required by the NF
• Undertake a training programme as required by the NF, which may include competing as well as fitness, adaptation of diet and other unmounted training
• Be prepared to find the finance for all activities unless or until you are sponsored.

International show jumpers and those wishing to compete in any other available disciplines should follow a similar programme.

The Dressage Tests

Athletes are required to ride specific tests with predetermined patterns in a 20m x 40m arena (20m x 60m for most Grade IV competitions) and a freestyle test to music. Dependent on their impairment and/or experience, they can ride tests with walk only, walk and trot, and walk, trot and canter, with or without lateral and other movements. The competition is judged on how the horse/pony performs under the influence of the rider. The more skilful the rider the better the horse is able to perform without resistance, rhythmically and with suppleness and so reflecting the equestrian skills of the rider. In the Freestyle to music test there are some compulsory movements.

The rider can also add more difficult movements to form an artistic pattern to ride to his/her chosen music. If the more difficult movements are performed well, it will add to the score, but if performed badly, it will detract more than if they had not been tried at all. This is so that the rider will not try to do movements that they are not ready for, which is detrimental to the horse.

The welfare of the horse is the first priority. Respect for the disabled equestrian must be evident at all times.

Para Equestrian Development & Numbers

Para Equestrian sport has grown steadily since it was formally established under the IPC in 1991:

• Athletes – from 60, to more than 650 riders and drivers from 38 countries;

• International competitions – from 1, to more than 16 in 2005;

• Nations competing at the Paralympic Games - from 16, to 29 in 2004;

• Riders competing in the Paralympic Games (slots allowed by IPC) - from 60, to 78 in 2008.

During this period a special focus on more severe disability has resulted in greater numbers of such athletes competing – from 17 in 1996 to 230 in 2004, as well as their increased representation at the Paralympics - 47% in 1996, 53% in 2004 and a projected 64% for 2008. In recognition of the differing impact of disabilities all riders are classified into one of five Grades to ensure fair equestrian competition.

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BEIJING 2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES (170kb)

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