Del Mar, CA - March 13, 2011 – Closing day of the 2011 Dressage Affaire (CDI3* W/Y/J & CPEDI3*) arrived at the beautiful Del Mar Horsepark on Sunday March 13, 2011. The Para-Equestrian Dressage riders could breath a sigh a relief with the two qualifying days of the Team Test and Individual Championship Test now completed. Sunday was the day for each rider from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to be bold and showcase his or her exhilarating freestyle routines in front of FEI Judges Ulf Wilkin (SWE), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA). With the pressure off many of the riders excelled earning their highest scores over the weekend including three riders who attained scores over 70%. At the end of the day the championship team was announced and the overall winner for each Grade earned their rosettes.

Following two days of Para-Dressage competition scores from the Team Test were combined with scores from the Individual Championship Test to determine each country’s overall team placing. Representing the United States of America was Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Ritcher Scale (Grade Ib), Eleanor Brimmer and Vadico Interago (Grade III), Donna Ponessa and Otto (Grade Ib), and Dena Pate aboard Imagine That (Grade IV). This team finished second behind the Canadian Team.

In the Freestyle, Jonathan Wentz (USA) was accurate and focused while riding to this music aboard NTEC Ritcher Scale earning a 73%, a 74.5%, and a 70.25% from each of the three judges. He was also third in the Freestyle on NTEC Daytona. Wentz also captured the overall win for Grade Ib in front of Canadian Ashley Gowanlock.

“Ritcher was superb today,” said Wentz. “He was spot on with every move and I also felt that I rode the pattern well. Since WEG (World Equestrian Games) I have switched Grades so this was our first time riding this freestyle test and it was great.”

He continued, “I was also very happy with Daytona today. She behaved really well and only whinnied once; I think she is getting used to this. Where she suffered was the fact that I was physically drained by the time I got to her test. She suffered a little because I couldn’t support her with my body but even though I was tired she was wonderful. I think she will be a horse to watch in the future. After this weekend I would like to thank both my trainer Kai Handt for everything and I would like to thank the horse show for putting on a great show.”

Following this weekend’s competition will be a very important clinic for the Para-Equestrian Dressage riders. On Monday and Tuesday, Para-Equestrian’s will have the opportunity for a one-on-one clinic with Olympian Debbie McDonald and esteemed judge Hanneke Gerritsen (NED). Each Para-Equestrian will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, ask questions, and discuss their plan for this year.

March 13, 2011 Freestyle Scores for Para-Equestrian at 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*

Judges:
E: Ulf Wilkin (SWE)
C: Hanneke Gerritsen (NED)
M: Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA)

Grade Ia Team Test:
Name-Horse (Country)-Judge E- Judge C- Judge M- Score%
1. Jody Schloss (CAN)-Inspector Rebus-67.750%-64.750%-67.000%-66.500%

Grade Ib Team Test:
1. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Ritcher Scale-73.000%-74.500%-70.250%-72.583%
2. Ashley Gowanlock (CAN)-DonnyMaskell-67.500%-66.750%-66.500%-66.917%
3. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Daytona Beach-62.750%-63.250%-63.500%-63.167%
4. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA)-VPRH Pegasus VOM Niehous-HOF-64.500%-59.250%-60.750%-61.500%
5. Donna Ponessa (USA)-Otto-57.250%-51.750%-61.250%-56.750%

Grade II Team Test:
1. Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Ferdonia 2-74.750%-76.000%-74.750%-75.167%
2. Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Off To Paris-75.750%-74.2000%-70.250%-73.333%
3.Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Casablanca-65.000%-68.000%-68.000%-67.000%
4.Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Sandor-67.000%-63.000%-68.000%-66.000%

Grade III Team Test:
1. Stephanie Ross (CAN)-Wiesenblute-65.500%-64.250%-67.750%-65.833%
2. Eleanor Brimmer(USA)-Vadico Interagro-61.000%-61.250%-64.750%-62.333%

Grade IV Team Test:
1. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Why Not G-75.250%-71.000%-69.500%-71.917%
2. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Donatello-72.500%-73.750%-68.750%-71.667%
3. Dena Pate(USA)-Imagine That-53.000%-56.750%-54.500%-54.750%





March 12, 2011 Preliminary Scores for Para-Equestrian at 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*(Individual Championship Test)

Judges:
E: Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA)
C: Ulf Wilkin (SWE)
M: Hanneke Gerritsen (NED)

Grade Ia Team Test:
Name-Horse (Country)-Judge E- Judge C- Judge M- Score%
1. Jody Schloss (CAN)-Inspector Rebus-67.000%-67.250%-65.000%-66.417%

Grade Ib Team Test:
1. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Ritcher Scale-68.478%-65.217%-68.261%-67.319%
2. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Daytona Beach-69.565%-68.261%-56.957%-64.928%
3. Ashley Gowanlock (CAN)-DonnyMaskell-63.478%-66.522%-62.391%-64.130%
4. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA)-VPRH Pegasus VOM Niehous-HOF-62.391%-62.609%-63.043%-62.681%
5. Donna Ponessa (USA)-Otto-56.739%-55.870%-59.565%-57.391%

Grade II Team Test:
1.Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Off To Paris-72.381%-74.286%-71.429%-72.698%
2.Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Ferdonia 2-70.238%-71.190%-69.524%-70.317%
3.Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Casablanca-61.667%-66.667%-65.238%-64.524%
4.Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Sandor-65.714%-63.810%-58.571%-62.698%

Grade III Team Test:
1. Stephanie Ross (CAN)-Wiesenblute-61.833%-61.333%-58.833%-60.667%
2. Eleanor Brimmer(USA)-Vadico Interagro-57.000%-54.333%-56.333%-55.889%

Grade IV Team Test:
1. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Donatello-64.667%-69.032%-70.000%-67.903%
2. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Why Not G-66.774%-65.000%-66.452%-66.075%
3. Dena Pate(USA)-Imagine That-49.516%-50.968%-50.000%-50.161%


March 11, 2011 Preliminary Scores for Para-Equestrian at 2011 Dressage Affaire CPEDI3*(Team Test)

Judges:
E: Hanneke Gerritsen (NED)
C: Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA)
M: Ulf Wilkin (SWE)

Grade Ia Team Test:
Name-Horse (Country)-Judge E- Judge C- Judge M- Score%
1. Jody Schloss (CAN)-Inspector Rebus- 62.941%-62.353%-59.706%-61.667%

Grade Ib Team Test:
1. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Ritcher Scale-65.909%-69.545%-70.000%-68.485%
2. Donna Ponessa (USA)-Otto-65.455%-67.045%-58.182%-63.561%
3. Jonathan Wentz (USA)-NTEC Daytona Beach-57.273%-65.682%59.545%-60.833%
4. Ashley Gowanlock (CAN)-DonnyMaskell-57.727%-64.091%-58.636%-60.152%
5. Laurietta Oakleaf (USA)-VPRH Pegasus VOM Niehous-HOF-60.455%-61.136%-58.636%-60.076%


Grade II Team Test:
1. Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Ferdonia 2-66.429%-71.905%-74.762%-71.032%
2. Lauren Barwick (CAN)-Off To Paris-70.952%-68.333%-70.952%-70.079%
3. Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Sandor-64.762%-61.429%-64.286%-63.492%
4. Erika Baitenmann (MEX)-Casablanca-65.952%-64.762%-58.571%-63.095%

Grade III Team Test:
1. Stephanie Ross (CAN)-Wiesenblute-60.926%-62.963%-58.148%-60.679%
2. Eleanor Brimmer(USA)-Vadico Interagro-59.630%-60.556%-57.407%-59.198%
3. Beth Levine(USA)-Prince Hopefull-0%-0%0%-E

Grade IV Team Test:
1. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Donatello-65.000%-66.563%-64.063%-65.208%
2. Eleonore Elstone(CAN)-Why Not G-61.406%-67.188%-66.563%-65.052%
3. Dena Pate(USA)-Imagine That-53.125%-55.313%-55.625%-54.688%

For more information about The Dressage Affaire please contact Keenan Productions & Events by phone 866-933-SHOW, or Kim Keenan-Stordahl [email protected] or visit www.dressageevents.com.


FAST FACTS: The 2011 Dressage Affaire Para-Equestrian Dressage Competition

WHERE: Del Mar Horsepark, Del Mar, CA

WHEN: March 10-13, 2011

CPEDI3* JURY: Ulf Wilkin (SWE), Hanneke Gerritsen (NED), and Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA)

USEF PARA-EQUESTRIAN LIASON: Pam Lane (908) 326-1153

FEI TECHNICAL DELEGATE: Ulf Wilken (SWE)

FEI CHIEF STEWARD: Sandra Rafferty

CLASSIFIERS: Joann Benjamin, Marion Slatter Blitstein

FEI VETERINARIAN: Dr. Mike Tomlinson

MANAGER/CEO: Kim Keenan Stordahl

SHOW INFORMATION:
Phone: 866-933-SHOW ext 703
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dressageevents.com
Fax: 540-832-2926

About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: [email protected] or by phone: (610)356-6481.

To view an online version of this press release please visit: http://uspea.org/?cat=13

Photo Credit: All photos taken at the 2011 Dressage Affaire at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, CA on March 13, 2011. Photo©2011 Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).