This is the first year Para-Dressage has been included in the World Equestrian Games. So far, I’m a fan! These amazing horses and riders turn out some incredible Dressage tests, and it goes without saying, they are immensely inspiring!
The US team is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, who opened the doors to their top-notch facility in Versailles, Kentucky for the Team to train before traveling to the Kentucky Horse Park. Para-Dressage provides the opportunity for athletes to qualify and compete for their country alongside able-bodied riders regardless of their disability. The sport is scored similarly to standard dressage, but riders may modify equipment such as saddles, bridles and boots with approval according to their physical needs. (Right: US Para-Dressage Chef d’Equipe Missy Ransehousen instructs Jennifer Baker on Kranak. Jennifer is a fellow eventer! Kranak is owned by Akiko Yamazaki, who also owns Steffen Peters’ Ravel.)
Photos: Camp Kentucky Equine Research
FEI: About Para-Dressage
I was lucky to catch up with Mary Jordan, a member of the US Para-dressage team, who is riding her own Paxton Abbey at the World Equestrian Games. Mary is a competitive eventer when she’s not preparing for a World Championship.
Tell me about your horse.
Paxton Abbey is a 12 yo Hanoverian-Cross Mare, bred, raised, trained by me. So I have my homebred here at the Games. Paxton was my event horse. She was reserve champion at the AEC in 2006 and 2007. In 2007 she was Horse of the Year at the Traning level, and she helped me earn the Master Amateur Training Rider of the year. About a year and a half ago I found out I was qualified to compete in Para-dressage, so we made a little discipline switch. (Right: Mary Jordan and Paxton Abbey riding in the practice show. Photo courtesy KER)
Do you plan to return to eventing?
I love the sport of eventing. I actually have Paxton’s little sister at home, and she’s quite the jumper. I’m sure I’ll event again. I love it, and the horses do too, but it’s been a special year qualifying and preparing for the Games. But we will continue to push forward in both disciplines. I actually got my qualifying score today to ride in the selection trials for the London Olympics.
How do you get selected to ride in the World Equestrian Games?
To ride in the Games you have to earn your Certificate of International Capability. To do that you have to score a 60% or better at your Grade level. I’m a Grade IV, which is the most able-bodied and is about 3rd or 4th Level Dressage. I rode in Chicago for one of ten slots available to us for WEG. There are four riders in the Team competition and 6 Individual riders that make up Team USA. (Left: FEI/USEF judge Janet Foy, who volunteered to judge the practice show, gives Mary Jordan tips to improve her dressage score. Photo courtesy KER)
What are your first impressions of the Kentucky Horse Park?
The park is incredible. Just beautiful. And to have so many arenas and ability to go from ring to ring to see the different events, it has been an incredible celebration for people who love horses. They get a variety and can see what’s available and also see the best in the world. I also got the opportunity to crew for the Australian Endurance team because they were short-staffed. It was like a ten-minute box on steroids.
Go Eventing:
I think part of what makes Paxton such a great Para-horse is her Eventing background. I mean when some horses were going nuts with all the excitement with people in wheelchairs and on crutches around Paxton was just unflappable. She’s a true competitor and has really enjoyed both disciplines.
Mary Jordan rides to raise awareness and thanks Kentucky Equine Research.
