Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that para-equestrian dressage athletes will now be recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for the Veteran Monthly Assistance Allowance Program.

The USOC supports Paralympic-eligible military veterans in their efforts to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games and other international sport competitions. Veterans who demonstrate exceptional skills and the commitment necessary to pursue elite-level competition are given guidance on securing the training, support, and coaching needed to qualify for Team USA and achieve their Paralympic dreams.

Through a partnership between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the USOC, the VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office provides a monthly assistance allowance for disabled Veterans of the Armed Forces training in a Paralympic sport, as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 322(d) and section 703 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.

Through the program the VA will pay a monthly allowance to a Veteran with a service-connected or non-service-connected disability if the Veteran meets the minimum VA Monthly Assistance Allowance (VMAA) Standard in his/her respective sport and sport class at a recognized competition.  

To learn more about athlete eligibility and the 2013 VA Allowance Standards, please visit the link to the USOC Emerging Athlete page at www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Sports/Emerging-Athletes.aspx.

For further information contact Laureen Johnson, USEF High Performance Director of Para-Equestrian and Vaulting Programs at [email protected], 908-326-1155 or Kallie Quinn, Associate Director of the Emerging Sport Program at the U.S. Paralympics Sport Performance Division, [email protected], 719-866-2088.