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Rebecca
Hart Named NDSA Athlete Of The Month For March |
Kingston,
RI—April 8, 2003—Rebecca Hart of Erie, PA, has been
named National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Athlete of the
Month for March 2003.
Hart,
whose legs have some paralysis due to spastic familia paraplegia,
competes in the equestrian sport of Dressage which challenges
horse and rider to strive for precision and harmony through a
test of required patterns and movement.
"Dressage
is very personal,” Hart explained. “The precision and
intensity require your whole being mentally and physically. You
enter a little world with just you and the horse alone; and in
that world you have the opportunity to have a personal conversation,
demanding the best of each other from bell to bell. And best of
all, it's really, really fun," she added.
The
high school senior rode at the NDSA Dressage Judges’ Forum
in Winter Garden, FL in March. She earned scores of 65.20 on the
Championship test, and a 75.83 on the freestyle, which judges
described as 'a medal winning' ride. She also impressed the judges
as a good competitor, strong athlete and a good ambassador for
the sport, especially for young riders.
Hart
is currently ranked 5th on the NDSA-Equestrian Advanced Rider
List, and is vying for a spot on the 2003 World Championship Team.
She has posted impressive scores in a number of competitions over
the years. She was Reserve Champion the past two years at the
NDSA Championship held at the United States Equestrian Team Olympic
Training Center, and was Reserve Champion in the Mills Team Challenge
at the 2002 North American Young Riders Championships. Hart also
placed 5th overall in the 2002 Belgium Open Championship. She
attended the International Academy for Equestrian Studies in Warendorf,
Germany, in 2001.
Each
month in an effort to recognize and reward stellar achievements,
acts of enrichment, or meritorious participation by athletes with
a physical disability, NDSA has proudly instituted the Athlete
of the Month Award Program. As NDSA Athlete of the Month, Hart
will receive a certificate from NDSA citing her achievement.
The
National Disability Sports Alliance is responsible for the conduct
and administration of approved sports in the United States. NDSA
formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts
national championships in twelve sports, disseminates safety and
sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent
the United States in international competition. NDSA is a CBO
(Community Based Organization) member of the United States Olympic
Committee (USOC).
For
more information on NDSA please contact (401) 792-7130 or visit
the NDSA website at www.ndsaequestrian.org
.
