![Mary Jordan and Sebastian. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).](/images/articles/2433/maryjordan.jpg)
Mary Jordan and Sebastian. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).
The United States Para-Equestrian Team members selected for Australia have been padding their resumes for months for this competition. At the CPEDI3* Saugerties held in September 2011 team members Jonathan Wentz, Dale
![Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).](/images/articles/2435/rebecca hart.jpg)
Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).
Team member Mary Jordan noted, "Riding in Australia is an incredible opportunity to once again ride in front of top international judges and build competitive mileage on the heels of our excellent recent experience of competing at the CPEDI3* in Saugerties, NY."
Traveling abroad is not a new concept to top-level equestrian athletes. Mary and her teammates past competitions have included four star European Championships in Norway, three stars in Canada, New York, California, Mexico, and Chicago, and teammate Rebecca Hart went to the 2008 Hong Kong Paralympics where she placed fourth individually. Most recently, in 2010 Rebecca Hart, Erin Alberda, and Mary Jordan competed at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, KY where the Para-Equestrian Dressage discipline made their first World Equestrian Games debut. For the United States competing abroad gives riders an opportunity to be judged on foreign soil. Mary explained, "I find competing
![Erin Alberda and Pavalina. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).](/images/articles/2434/erin alberda.jpg)
Erin Alberda and Pavalina. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).
The F.E.I. team selections for the 2012 London Paralympics will be on the mind of each Para-Equestrian during the Australia competition. With only months left to build team slots for the 2012 London Paralympics the riders will have to give their best performances. Due to the financial responsibility and logistics of flying horses to Australia the United States Para-Equestrian Team has been generously given horses to use during the CPEDI3*. "The Australian horse owners have been truly kind and generous in this process of allowing us to use their very talented horses," smiled Mary. "Our team looks forward to competing in Australia."
![Donna Ponessa and Otto. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).](/images/articles/2436/donna ponessa.jpg)
Donna Ponessa and Otto. Photo: Lindsay Y McCall for the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA).