Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders at the 2015 Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* USA Team included (left to right) Chef d'Equipe Kai Handt, Kate Shoemaker, Susan Treabess, Roxanne Trunnell, and Laurietta Oakleaf, and USEF Para-Dressage discipline director Laureen Johnson. Photo courtesy Stacey Hornsby

Rancho Murieta, CA - June 15, 2015 - The Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* concluded on Sunday, June 14, with Para-Dressage athletes in Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV competing in the exciting Freestyle competition. Riders from both the U.S. and Canada competed at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA. Top riders in the Freestyle Tests included Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin in Grade IV with a 70.417% and Katie Shoemaker (USA) and Pacific M in Grade III with a 71.833%. Also earning the blue for their Grade was Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero in Grade II, Cambry Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Downwind in Grade Ib,  and Roxanne Trunnell and Royal Dancer in Grade Ia. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) also earned the high score award overall for her scores with Royal Dancer over the three days. The FEI Ground Jury includes Carlos Lopes (POR) 5*, Anne Prain (FRA) 5*, and David Schmutz (USA) 4*. For U.S. riders this like all CPEDI's are a qualifier for the Team Selection of the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian Team. U.S. Chef d' Equipe Kai Handt was on hand at the CPEDI3* coaching the U.S. to a team win over the weekend. Handt will also be a clinician at the USEF High Performance West Coast Para  Equestrian Dressage Symposium Develop the Coach Program running from June 14-June 16.

Kai  Handt commented, "The USA Para-Equestrian Dressage team is two for two in wins this year. So far they have won all of the Para-Equestrian CPEDI3* events they competed in. At this CPEDI3*, the U.S. riders won all classes and divisions for a clean sweep. This weekend showed that our approach of adding training symposiums after the CPEDI3*'s works. The added training with coaches and riders really improved the scores with lots off 70's from our top riders. This is especially important because all CPEDI's are qualifiers for the U.S. Team selection for Rio."

In addition to being the Chef d'Equipe Kai Handt trains Roxanne Trunnell (USA) who earned the overall high score award over the weekend with Royal Dancer. Royal Dancer is owned by Julia Handt of Wylie, TX. Trundle also show her own NTEC Daytona Beach and had three successful tests in Grade Ia. Trunnell competed at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) with her horse Touche, who was retired following WEG and she is now working with NTEC Daytona Beach and Royal Dancer towards qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Roxanne Trunnell commented, "I'm very excited how my relationships are forming with NTEC Daytona Beach and Royal Dancer. I started showing Royal last year and he was fantastic but it seems like this year we are more comfortable and trusting with each other. I think we are hitting our stride and I'm excited to see where I go with him. Daytona is amazing as well, I'm definitely feeling her becoming more and more bonded to me. This was our first CPEDI together and I was a little worried that she wasn't going to keep up with Royal score wise, but she was always really close to his scores. We too our working on building that solid relationship but as Tina Wentz said to me about the relationships, 'There is no magic to speeding up the building a relationship part. It just takes time.' I think Daytona, Royal, & I are going to have wonderful relationships together and the Para-Dressage world will definitely be seeing a lot more of us."

Building a relationship with a horse takes time, as Susan Treabess (USA) of Winters, Calif., has showcased with Kathryn Hill's PRE Stallion Kamiakin in Grade IV. Over the three days Treabess and Kamiakin earned high scores finishing with their Freestyle score of 70.417%. As a 2010 and 2014 WEG athlete Treabess is looking forward to continuing to compete through the summer in Prix St Georges and Intermediaire I, with a future outlook of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

In Grade III, Young Rider Kate Shoemaker (USA) had an outstanding Freestyle test earning a 71.833% with her own Pacifec M. Lara Oles and Bella followed Shoemaker for the second place finish with a 69.667% in the Freestyle. Canadian Tristiana Allowed and Rufu earned third.

"I am very pleased with Pacifec's improvement since this event last year," said KateShoemaker. Today we left it all in the arena and I'm honored to be awarded with technical marks of 69.5% or higher from all three judges. I'm very glad we had the opportunity to receive feedback from an excellent panel of FEI judges and I look forward to incorporating their advice into our preparation for NAJYRC (First-ever Para-Equestrian Dressage Young Rider Championships) in Lexington, KY, next month and Nationals this fall in Texas."

For Grade II rider Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA), the Golden State Dressage Classic is a hometown horse show. Flores-Simmons earned a great deal of support of the years riding her Arabian dressage horse. In 2014, Flores-Simmons earned a top ten finish at the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships with Verite SF. She is now looking forward to the opportunity to qualify for the Rio Paralympics aboard her new Danish Warmblood Binero, owned by Brie Simmons of Elk Grove, CA. FLores-Simmons dominated Grade II on all three days over Canadian Jennifer McKenzie and Warlander, Lexington Star Brite.

Flores Simmons noted, "The show was wonderful, all of the competitors did great. I'm proud of my horse and how far we've come, he felt fantastic and I'm extremely proud of him. I'm grateful for this opportunity and for USEF, USPEA, and the show management for helping to make it a success. The input from the judges is very valuable and will help us greatly. It would not have been possible without the support and guidance of Dennis Callin, Susan Treabess, and Eva King along with the help of all of my family and friends."

In 2013, Grade Ib Young Rider Cambry Kaylor (USA) was just beginning her Para-Dressage journey. At the Golden State Dressage Classic, the Utah native topped her Grade in the Freestyle with her experienced International Para-Dressage horse Markgaards Donnewind. Kaylor will be heading to Lexington, Kentucky in July for the first ever 2014 Young Rider Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships. Kaylor competed alongside United States athlete Laurietta Oakleaf and Stallion Niekele Fan Busenitz, owned by Laura McGinnis of Loxahatchee, FL,.

Former Paralympian and USPEA President Hope Hand was on site watching the riders compete all weekend. Hand noted, "I was extremely happy with the performances put forth this weekend. The U.S. won all their classes and we debuted four new horse rider combinations. I want to thank the judges, show management and the volunteers for a well run event. We also want to thank the Canadians, our neighbors, for supporting this event and wish them well. We enjoy the friendly competition and the sportsmanship both countries share."

Para-Dressage athletes next opportunity in the United States to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Equestrian Team headed to Rio is October 27-29, 2015, in Katy, TX, at the 2015 Katy CPEDI3* event. Following the Katy CPEDI3* is the 2015 USEF Pera-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. A handful of Young Riders will head to Lexington, KY, July 14-19 for the inaugural Young Rider Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships.

Following the Golden State Dressage Classic will be two USEF High Performance Events for Para-Dressage and Para-Driving. June 14-16, 2015, 8am-5pm is the  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). Click here for more information.

On June 15-16, 2015 9:00 AM - USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Driving Clinic for Coaches and High Performance Drivers occurs. All levels welcome from Novice to Advanced and there is no fee. Those interested may borrow a horse and carriage or use their own. Clinicians include Hardy Zantke and Diane Kastama. USEF Para-Driving will be providing full tuition. Click here for more information.

For more information about the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* please visit http://www.goldenstatedressage.com or contact Connie Davenport at [email protected].

RESULTS:
June 12, 2015
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* Rancho Murieta, CA
Team Test

Grade IV
1. Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin  70.079%

Grade III
1. Lara Oles (USA) and Bella  68.991%
2. Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Pacifec M 67.412%
3. Tristiana Allwood (CAN) and Rufus 61.009%
4. Sarah Cummings (CAN) and West Bay 55.307%

Grade II
1.Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero 67.206%
2.  Jennifer McKenzie (CAN) and Lexington Star Brite 64.216%

Grade Ib
1. Camby Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind 62.400%
2. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Niekele Fan Busenitz 61.933%

Grade Ia
1. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Royal Dancer 68.913%
2. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) NTEC Daytona Beach 67.899%

June 13, 2015
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* Rancho Murieta, CA
Individual Test

Grade IV
1. Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin 69.563%

Grade III
1. Lara Oles (USA) and Bella 66.870%
2. Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Pacifec M 65.447%
3. Tristiana Allwood (CAN) and Rufus 60.732%
4. Sarah Cummings (CAN) and West Bay 56.341%

Grade II
1. Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero 68.857%
2. Jennifer McKenzie (CAN) and Lexington Star Brite 60.952%

Grade Ib
1. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Niekele Fan Busenitz 63.391%
2. Camby Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind 60.747%

Grade Ia
1. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Royal Dancer 72.319%
2. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) NTEC Daytona Beach 67.681%

June 14, 2015
Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* Rancho Murieta, CA
Freestyle Test

Grade IV
1. Susan Treabess (USA) and Kamiakin 70.417%

Grade III
1. Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Pacifec M 71.833 %
2. Lara Oles (USA) and Bella 69.667%
3. Tristiana Allwood (CAN) and Rufus 58.583%

Grade II
1. Ashleigh Flores-Simmons (USA) and Binero 69.083%
2. Jennifer McKenzie (CAN) and Lexington Star Brite 64.250%

Grade Ib
1. Camby Kaylor (USA) and Markgaards Donnewind 65.333%
2. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA) and Niekele Fan Busenitz 62.250%

Grade Ia
1. Roxanne Trunnell (USA) Royal Dancer 69.333%