National Disability Sports Alliance Announces Selection Trial to Determine Dressage Squad for 2004 Paralympic Games

Kingston, RI—March 23, 2004—The National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA), in association with U.S. Equestrian, will hold a Dressage Selection Trial to determine the riders who will represent the United States at the 2004 Paralympic Games. The competition will also serve as the 2004 NDSA Championship.

The Selection Trial will be held during Good Horseman’s Dressage in the Horse Park at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, May 1-2, and will determine the Short List of riders for the Paralympic Games. It is open to qualified riders by invitation only.

Following a mandatory veterinary inspection on Friday, April 30, riders will compete in an Individual Championship, Musical Freestyle and Team Test on Saturday and Sunday. All classes will be conducted under IPEC rules in which riders are judged according to able-bodied rules, but allowances are made for compensating aids. For example, special reins that can be held in one hand would not be penalized.

The International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC) is the international governing body for equestrian sports for riders with disabilities. It is responsible for international rules, sanctioning of international competitions, and for Paralympic Games and World Championships. For more information about the IPEC, please visit their website at www.ipec-athletes.de or contact IPEC Chairman Mrs. Jonquil Solt by email at jonquil@solt.demon.co.uk.

Prior to May 23, riders named to the Short List must compete in one additional event which will serve as their final qualifier for the Paralympic Dressage Team. The Team will comprise a four-member team with two alternates and will be named based on a combination of performance scores and subjective nomination.

The National Disability Sports Alliance is the national governing body for equestrian sport for riders with disabilities. The non-profit organization is responsible for the development and selection of riders for national championships and international competitions, including World Championships and the Paralympic Games, and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders of all levels with physical disabilities. For more information about NDSA and opportunities to support the programs, please visit our website at www.ndsaequestrian.org or contact Denise Avolio at (914) 949-8166 or diavolio@ndsaonline.org.

.