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Once having that experience, you step up your training and commitment and work to overcome any obstacles in order to have it again.” And that is exactly what Wentz is doing today. With the test of international competition still fresh in his memory; his sights are set on nothing less than continued success and growth as an athlete. His goals are firmly set in place. “My biggest goal in 2011 is to compete in two or more CPEDI3* in preparation for the 2012 London Selection Trials,” he said. “My coach and I feel it’s important to be actively competing even in an ‘off ’ year to continue to improve and be in top form for 2012. I feel the exposure to the European judges will be invaluable and will be great training toward the 2012 Selection Trials for London.” This year, Wentz will take two horses to a CPEDI3* in California, NTEC Richter Scale, who he rode at the WEG, plus a new younger horse, NTEC Daytona Beach. Both mounts are owned by Kai Handt. He competed them both in Del Mar in March of this year where Richter placed first all three days and Daytona placed third, second, and third. Wentz plan is to bring Daytona up to replace Richter when he retires. All of this is another part of his master plan for success. “At 13, I set a goal to be a member of Team USA in Para-Dressage at the 2012 Paralympics and started training in earnest,” he continued. “I had the privilege in 2000, at the age of 10, to perform in a quadrille for Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal when she visited Equest. I hope to ride in front of her again in 2012, this time in London!” Somehow, Wentz finds a way to balance all of his equestrian pursuits while being a full-time student at Southern Methodist University where he just finished his sophomore year where he is majoring political science, history and Medieval studies. “School, along with my dressage training and competition schedule, keeps me fairly busy, but I enjoy both immensely,” he said. If his past results and current dedication are any future indicator, there is a bright and successful future for this para-equestrian. It’s all a matter of Wentz putting his mind to it.
Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2009 Para-Equestrian Nationals and CPEDI3* at Lamplight Equestrian Center.
n Brian Sosby
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june/july 2011 | equestrian
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