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Missy
Ransehousen to Hold Clinic for Riders With Disabilities During
Dressage at Journey’s End Competition
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Kingston,
RI—April 2, 2002—U.S. Equestrian Team veteran Missy Ransehousen
will share her expertise with qualified riders with disabilities
during the Dressage at Journey’s End competition in Unionville,
PA, July 6-8.
Ransehousen,
a three-day event rider who won a team Silver Medal and placed fifth
individually at the 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
served as the U.S. Chef d’Equipe at the 2000 Paralympic Games
in Sydney, Australia. During Dressage at Journey’s End, she
will offer coaching assistance for riders competing in the USA Equestrian-rated
show. In addition, Ransehousen will hold a clinic the day after
the competition.
In
addition to traditional classes for able-bodied riders, the dressage
show will offer a division for riders with disabilities under the
auspices of the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC).
There is a growing trend for horse shows to offer divisions for
both able-bodied and disabled riders, said Denise Avolio, National
Disability Sports Alliance Equestrian Sports Manager.
“We
are moving away from our qualifying classes being at therapeutic
riding centers and getting more USA Equestrian-rated shows to offer
the tests,” said Avolio.
The
disabled division at Journey’s End is open to riders Grade
I-IV. Tests are designed to challenge the rider at the highest level
in which he or she can physically compete, not necessarily the highest
level of training for the horse. Most of the disabled riders usually
compete on borrowed horses because they often do not have the funds
to ship their horses great distances to dressage competitions.
“We
offer riders the clinic attached to the competition because many
riders do not have the opportunity to have this level of coaching
at home,” said Avolio. “Because the riders are so far
apart, they must all travel to train with national team coaches
like Missy. Combining a competition and clinic at one location is
a money-saving and time-saving opportunity for them.”
The
National Disability Sports Alliance is the national governing body
for equestrian sport for riders with disabilities. NDSA is responsible
for the development and selection of riders for national championship
and international competitions, including the Paralympic Games,
and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders with
physical disabilities. Please visit www.ndsaequestrian.org
for more information about NDSA.
A limited number of horses is available for use at the show and
clinic. Stabling will be provided at Blue Hill Farm in Unionville,
PA. For more information, please contact Denise Avolio, (914) 949-8166
or diavolio@ndsaonline.org.
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