2016paralympicgamesbackgroundandselectionprocedures

RIO 2016 PARALYMPIC GAMES

UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN MEDIA KIT

With the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games quickly approaching, the following document outlines useful information about para-equestrian dressage. During the course of the Paralympic Games, U.S. competitors will vie for team, individual, and freestyle podium finishes. The document highlights background on para-equestrian dressage as well as the selection procedures that will determine the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Para-Equestrian Dressage Team. In addition, it notes interview opportunities and guidelines leading up to the Paralympic Games.

The Rio Paralympic Games mark the 20th anniversary of para-equestrian in the Paralympic Games. U.S. competitors are excited for the chance to represent their country on the world stage. Two-time Paralympian and seven-time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion Rebecca Hart is poised to lead the U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Dressage Team with her mount, Schroeter’s Romani. The pair placed seventh in both the Grade II Individual and Team Tests at the 2014 Alltech/ FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). They are coming off two consecutive USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.

The U.S. has a talented group of fresh faces aiming for their first Paralympic Games.

Grade Ib athlete Sydney Collier, Grade III athlete Angela Peavy, and Grade Ia athlete Roxanne Trunnell gained valuable experience at the 2014 WEG. All three athletes placed in the top 10 in at least one of their Individual tests. To prepare for the Paralympic Games, Hart and Peavy competed on European tours to improve and learn from accomplished international riders and judges.

I look forward to sharing an official announcement of the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Para-Equestrian Dressage Team this summer. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Sincerely, Leah Oliveto Director of Communications United States Equestrian Federation

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Interview Opportunities

2016 Paralympic Games Helpful Links

Contact Information

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Para-Equestrian Dressage Background

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United States Paralympic Para-Equestrian

Dressage Team Selection Process

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES U.S. para-equestrian athletes, coaches, and high performance staff members are available to media through the USEF Media & Communications department.

USEFUL LINKS: Rio 2016: Paralympic Equestrian Rio 2016: Para-Equestrian Dressage Daily Competition Schedule Paralympic Games Para-Equestrian Event Regulations Historical Roster of U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Teams and Medals Won

USEF CONTACT INFORMATION Leah Oliveto

Dana Rossmeier

Director of Communications

Manager of Media Relations

loliveto@usef.org

& Sport Communications

859-225-2053

drossmeier@usef.org 859-225-6930

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PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE Para-equestrian dressage mirrors able-bodied dressage in its format and objectives. Originally developed as a method for training military horses, the centuries-old discipline of dressage, which is a French term meaning “training,” was used to increase the maneuverability pose for dressage is to develop a horse’s natural athletic ability and maximize its suppleness (flexibility) and attentiveness, all the while fostering ultimate harmony between horse and rider. Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet.

With the focus of creating opportunities for all people with disabilities to compete and achieve their goals in equestrian sport, para-equestrian competitions are classified by five sport classes called “grades.” Grades segment the athletes based on their physical and visual impairments to provide for meaningful and fair competitions. The competitor’s mobility, strength, and coordination are assessed in order to establish their classification profile. Athletes competing at lower grades have more severe activity limitations while those in higher grades have less severe activity limitations.

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and obedience of cavalry mounts. The specific pur-

GRADE CLASSIFICATIONS Grade Ia – Athletes have severe impairments affecting all limbs and the trunk. The athlete usually requires the use of a wheelchair in daily life.

Grade Ib – Athletes have either a severe impairment of the trunk and minimal impairment of the upper limbs or moderate impairment of the trunk, upper and lower limbs.

Most athletes in this class use a wheelchair in daily life.

Grade II – Athletes have severe impairments in both lower limbs with minimal or no impairment of the trunk or moderate impairment of the upper and lower limbs and trunk. Some athletes in this class may use a wheelchair in daily life.

Grade III – Athletes have severe impairment or deficiency of both upper limbs or a moderate impairment of all four limbs or short stature. Athletes in Grade III are able to walk and generally do not require a wheelchair in daily life. Grade III also includes athletes having a visual impairment equivalent to B1 (very low visual acuity and/or no light perception).

Grade IV - Athletes have a mild impairment of range of movement or muscle strength or a deficiency of one limb or mild deficiency of two limbs. Grade IV also includes athletes with visual impairment equivalent to B2 (higher visual acuity than visually impaired athletes) competing in the Grade III sport class and/or a visual field of less than five degrees radius.

Athletes with the following impairments are eligible to compete in para-equestrian: • Impaired muscle power • Athetosis • Impaired passive range of movement • Hypertonia • Limb deficiency • Ataxia • Leg length difference • Short stature • Visual impairment

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In 2006, para-equestrian sport joined the ranks of the seven other equestrian disciplines regulated by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). This led to the FEI becoming the first, and still the only, International Federation to govern and regulate a sport for able-bodied and disabled athletes.

Para-Equestrian Dressage at the Paralympic Games The para-equestrian dressage competition at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games will take place September 11-16 at the Deodoro venue. The team competition will consist of 14 nations with an additional 22 athletes competing as individuals. The United States obtained a Paralympic Games berth as one of the seven highest-ranked teams (not otherwise qualified) on the FEI Paralympic Team Ranking List, covering the period of November 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016.

At the Paralympic Games, teams are comprised of a maximum of four athlete/horse combinations from mixed grades. In team competition, athlete/horse combinations will perform two compulsory tests, the Team Test and the Individual Test, with the lowest combined score from each team being dropped to determine team medals.

Medals are also awarded for the Individual Test by grade (five sets of medals are awarded). Combinations who place in the top one third of the combinations per grade of the total number of athletes (based on the total result of the Team and Individual Tests) will also perform the Freestyle Test (set to music), where medals will again be awarded for each grade.

• Days one through three are the Grade Ia, Grade Ib, Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV Team Tests, which serve as the first part of the Team Competition.

• Day three also consists of the Grade III Individual Championship Test.

• Days four and five are the Grade Ia, Grade Ib, Grade II, and Grade IV Individual Championship Tests, after which Team and Individual medals will be awarded.

• Day six is the Grade Ia, Grade Ib, Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV Freestyle Tests.

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UNITED STATES PARALYMPIC PARA-EQUESTRIAN DRESSAGE TEAM SELECTION PROCESS Complete Selection Procedures Brief Selection Outline Athlete/horse combinations are required to have met the qualifying criteria outlined in the selection procedures for the Selection Trial by May 15, 2016 in order to be eligible for an invitation. The Selection Trial will be held June 3-5, 2016 at the Waterloo Hunt Club in Grass Lake, MI. The athlete/horse combinations will be ranked during the Selection Trial based on 50% of the combination’s overall performance at the Selection Trial and 50% of the combined overall score from the two best international level (CPEDI3*) competitions they competed in from January 1, 2015 through May 15, 2016.

After the Selection Trial, the Selectors, in consultation with the Team Coach and Team Veterinarian, will recommend four athlete-and-horse combinations to the U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team. All nominations to the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team are subject to approval by the USEF Board of Directors and the United States Olympic Committee.

Key Para-Equestrian Dressage Competitions • June 3-5, 2016 - Selection Trial – Waterloo Hunt Club, Grass Lake, MI (one hour west of Detroit) Team Training The team will train together in central Florida prior to departing the U.S. for Rio the last week of August. Media wishing to access the athletes and their horses during this time are encouraged to submit requests in advance.

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