Wellington, Fla. – After a record-setting 2018, the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team returns to competition this week in the $10,000 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) Week 2 CPEDI3*, running January 18-20 at the AGDF show grounds. Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline will lead the three FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon 2018 medalists Rebecca Hart, Kate Shoemaker, and Roxanne Trunnell, along with Debbie Stanitski, as they represent the U.S. in the first event of the 2019 season. They will perform the FEI Team Test in their respective grades on Friday. On Saturday, they will perform the FEI Individual Test in their respective grades, with the Team and Individual tests counting towards the overall team score. On Sunday, they will compete in their respective grade’s Freestyle as individuals, barring they earned at least a minimum score of 60% based on the average of their Team and Individual tests.

Meet the Team

 

 

Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.), Grade III, with El Corona Texel, Rowan O’Reilly’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Follow Hart on Facebook (@RebeccaHart136) and Instagram (@rebeccahart136).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Shoemaker (Peoria, Ariz.), Grade IV, with Solitaer 40, the 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion she owns with Craig and Deena Shoemaker. Follow Shoemaker on Facebook (@KateShoemakerDressage).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deborah Stanitski (Charleston, S.C.), Grade I, with Skovlunds De Nice, her 12-year-old Danish Warmblood mare. Follow Stanitski on Facebook (@DrDeborahStanitski) and Instagram (@DeborahFaithStanitski).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roxanne Trunnell (Wellington, Fla.), Grade I, and Kate Shoemaker’s Dolton, a six-year-old Hanoverian gelding. Follow Trunnell on Facebook (@ParaEquestrianRoxie) and Twitter (@ParaRiderRoxie).

 

 

 

 

Last Time Out 

Hart and El Corona Texel won a silver medal in the FEI Grade III Freestyle and a bronze medal in the FEI Grade III Individual Test at the FEI WEG Tryon 2018. 

Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 won a bronze medal in the FEI Grade IV Freestyle at the FEI WEG Tryon 2018.

Stanitski and Skovlunds De Nice are a new combination. The AGDF Week 2 CPEDI3* will be their first FEI competition.

Trunnell and Dolton won a bronze medal in the FEI Grade I Freestyle at the FEI WEG Tryon 2018.

Career Highlights 

Hart: Three-time Paralympian (Rio 2016, London 2012, and Beijing 2008); three-time FEI WEG team member (Tryon 2018, Normandy 2014, and Lexington 2010); seven-time USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion (2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2006)

Shoemaker: FEI WEG Tryon 2018 team member; 2015 USEF CPEDI1* Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion; Adequan®/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North team, individual, and freestyle gold medalist

Trunnell: Rio 2016 Paralympian; two-time FEI WEG team member (Tryon 2018 and Normandy 2014); 2016 Grade Ia Reserve National Champion in the High Performance Division

Competition Information

Competition begins on Friday with combinations performing the FEI Team Test in their respective grades. 

Follow US Equestrian

Stay up to date on the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team by following USA Para-Dressage on Facebook and US Equestrian on Twitter and Instagram. Use #USAParaDressage.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.