Katie Cunningham with rider Marcella Martin, a U.S. citizen who has lived most of her life in New Zealand, made the long trip from Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Carlisle Academy

Lyman, Maine - June 11, 2015- Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp was successful for many Para-Equestrian Dressage riders and Para-Drivers. The Camp scheduled May 26-30, 2015, concluded with fifteen participants made up of riders and drivers being given information from over 11 lectures, clinicians, and experts in the Para-Equestrian discipline. Carlisle Academy in Lyman, Maine, a Premier Accredited PATH Center and national leader in grassroots development for para-equestrian sports, has been the educational link for developing athletes and coaches. Carlisle along with the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have been developing hands on workshops that address areas such as: training tips, adaptive equipment needs and type of horses needed for high performance competition. The U.S. uses these Camps and Symposiums to develop riders and cultivate and educate para-equestrian coaches. Each year, the para-equestrian discipline adds more athletes not only at the national level but to the international high performance ranks. Equestrians will have further opportunities on the West Coast in June 2015 and back at Carlisle Academy in August for the Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp, scheduled for August 25-28, 2015.

Equestrian participants at the May 2015 Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp included riders Suzanne Ament, Meghan Benge, Cecily Byrd, Matt D'Amico, Margaret Harling, Holly Jacobson (demonstration rider), Marcella Martin, Abbott Philson, and para-drivers, Elaine Anderson, Danielle Bennis, Lorine Bolduc, Kevin Ennis, Mary Giftos, Susan Greenberg, and Joan Scialdone,

Clinicians and lecturers at the Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp included Kai Handt, USEF Para-Dressage Chef d'Equipe & Technical Advisor, Diane Kastama, FEI Para-Driving Medalist, Vice President of United States Driving for the Disabled, and USEF Para-Equestrian Technical Committee Member; David Schmutz, FEI 4* Para-Dressage Judge, USEF"S" Dressage Judge; Sydney Collier, 2014 World Equestrian Games Para-Dressage Athlete Para -Dressage, Young Rider Team Member; Susan Grant, Licensed Occupational Therapist, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist, Equine Massage Therapist; Janet Smaldone, Physical Therapist, Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist; Melinda Baxter, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach & Master Life Coach; Nancy Shedrick, Certified Saddle Fitter, Shedrick English Saddlery, Member of the Society of Master Saddlers UK: Theresa Babson, Fundraising Consultant; and Anna Collier, "Show Mom" Extraordinaire; Parents' Forum Facilitator.

Rider Marcella Martin, a U.S. citizen who has lived most of her life in New Zealand, made the long trip from Guatemala for the camp. Martin was diagnosed with mild Cerebral Palsy at three years of age. She is the only para-equestrian living in Guatemala.

Katie Cunningham accompanied Martin to the U.S. for the clinic and commented, "We were thrilled with the clinic. It was life changing for Marcella. We felt very welcomed by the incredible group of people who facilitated the camp. There is a wonderful dynamic amongst the workers and volunteers at Carlisle and it makes all the difference. We were also very impressed by the professionalism, both in the installations and services."

Cunningham concluded, "Marcella, Rosa Maria and I returned to Guatemala very inspired and motivated. We have a clearer plan for Marcella and are looking forward to returning to Carlisle to train again in the near future. I can not remember learning so much in such a short space of time, we are still digesting our thoughts and experiences. We visited Carlisle with a long list of questions, we returned with all our questions answered and much more. Marcella feels like she has begun a new chapter of her life now, with new friends and as part of a community of very special people. When Marcella told me she wanted to reach the Paralympics one day I said that we'd better find the best place to train with the best people to train with and that's what we did. We went to the top and it was well worth it."

For developing riders like blind participant Suzanne Ament, this clinic was exactly what she needed to take the next step in the Para-Equestrian world. Ament heard about the clinic from Marcia Springston, a former Paralympic Equestrian who is also blind. Ament rode as a teenager and competed in hunt seat and jumping. As her vision has worsened, a product of LCA RPE65 (a recessive genetic trait), she is now riding in Dressage.

Ament commented about the clinic, "I can't say enough about the staff and the coaches at the camp. I was able to work on using living letters which I had not really ever tried before. My week culminated in riding my first ever dressage test; I was thrilled."

Ament continued, "The information at the camp was also quite useful. We reviewed all the different classifications, the requirements for showing at different levels, horse massage, yoga for riders, and we had the chance to ask specific questions about our own situations in many contexts. The camaraderie was wonderful too. Everyone looked out for one another."

Ament will be taking what she acquired from the camp and will head back home to work on her riding and will begin he classification process soon.

Carlisle Charitable Foundation, an independently governed 501(c)(3) organization and the Academy's philanthropic partner, supports para-equestrians who participate in Carlisle's camps and clinics. Scholarship funding of $250 in tuition assistance was made possible for participants through the "Zoe Fund" for Para-Dressage riders. In addition, USPEA 501(c)(3) offered tuition reimbursement grants of $250 to those that participated in the Para-Dressage Camp. Para-Drivers were able to participate free of charge thanks to a sponsorship through USEF Para-Driving, and there was a free Veteran's Information session as well.

Equestrians will have another opportunity at the June 14-16, USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium Develop the Coach Program for Coaches and Selected High Performance Riders in Rancho Murieta, CA and the June 15-16, USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Driving Clinic for Coaches and High Performance Drivers also in Rancho Murieta, CA. Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp, is scheduled for August 25-28, 2015.


2015 Para-Equestrian Clinics and Symposiums:

June 14-16, 2015 8am-5pm - USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium Develop the Coach Program for Coaches and Selected High Performance Riders in Rancho Murieta, CA. Clinicians: Kai Handt (USEF Chef D' Equipe in Para-Dressage), Carlos Lopes (5* FEI Para Equestrian Dressage Judge).
$250 USPEA Tuition Reimbursement Applies
Contact Laureen Johnson at USEF for an application at [email protected] or 908-326-1155. Click here for more information.

June 15-16, 2015 9:00 AM - USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Driving Clinic for Coaches and High Performance Drivers Rancho Murieta, CA. All levels welcome Novice to Advanced there is no fee and those interested may borrow a horse and carriage or use their own.
Clinicians: Hardy Zantke and Diane Kastama.
USEF Para-Driving will be providing full tuition.
Contact Laureen Johnson at USEF for an application at [email protected] or 908-326-1155.
Click here for more information.

Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp

August 25-28, 2015- Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp scheduled.

August 26, 2015 at 2:30 PM - Veteran Information session

Oct 5-6, 2015 -  Para Driving Clinic at Gayla Driving Center, Georgetown, KY.
Clinician: Sara Schmitt - 2014 Coach of Team USA. Contact Diane Kastama at [email protected] or 805-343-6026.
http://www.gayladrivingcenter.com/

Scholarship Support:

$250 "Zoe Fund" Tuition Support
The Carlisle Charitable Foundation, an independently governed 501(c)(3) organization and the Academy's philanthropic partner, supports para-equestrians who participate in Carlisle's camps and clinics. A scholarship funding request can be made through the "Zoe Fund" of Carlisle Charitable Foundation. More information is available at www.carlislecharitablefoundation.org. (207-467-3242). Click here for the Zoe Fund application. 

$250 USPEA Tuition Reimbursement
The United States Para-Equestrian Association 501 (c)(3) is providing $250 Tuition Reimbursement for Para-Dressage participants in both the Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp and the USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium Develop the Coach Program for Coaches and Selected High Performance Riders  . Please contact President Hope Hand at [email protected] for more information.

Free Para-Driving Clinics
Para-Drivers interested in participating will be given full tuition, through USEF Para-Driving, for the Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp Para-Driving clinic on May 30 and the USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Driving Clinic for Coaches and High Performance Drivers Rancho Murieta, CA.
For more information about Carlisle Academy's Para-Equestrian Pipeline Training Camp  please contact Carlisle Academy Head of School, Sarah Armentrout at 207-985-0374, or [email protected].

Eligibility requirements and more information on the various para-equestrian disciplines can be found at the United States Para Equestrian Association (www.uspea.org), the United States Equestrian Federation (www.usef.org), and the FÉDÉRATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE (www.FEI.org).