When the native Floridian competed for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Florida, her platform was her passion: “Equine therapy and how it helps people with disabilities.”

Although the competition sports some of the traditional sash-and-tiara pageant trappings, “It’s not your standard beauty competition,” says Tanase, 26, of Palm Harbor, Fla. “It’s all about who is going to be the best advocate [and being] the best representative you can for the disability community in your own way.”

Finding a Passion for Horses

Tanase, who was born with cerebral palsy, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2022, advancing to that year’s Ms. Wheelchair America competition last August. She didn’t win, but as the only equine enthusiast in the field, relished the opportunity to share her message with a national audience.

Her platform speech hit home for at least one person.

“The competitor from Georgia actually messaged me a couple of days ago and showed me a picture of her riding,” says Tanase. “She told me that she wanted to do it ever since she heard me talk about it. I was like, this is the whole reason I talk about it. So many people don’t even know about equine therapy.”

Tanase learned about horses from the ground up. The second-born of triplets, Tanase didn’t grow up in a horsey family.

Her first exposure to horses came during a preschool field trip to a farm, where she was “fascinated” by a palomino pony. She began learning all she could about horses, but in-person encounters were limited mostly to seeing horses and taking pony rides during occasional family outings to a zoo in nearby Tampa.

Bitten hard by the horse bug, Tanase continued to research and read, which is how she discovered therapeutic riding. When she was a high school senior, her parents gave her four lessons at Quantum Leap Farm, a therapeutic riding center in Odessa, Fla.

“That was how I started formally learning how to ride,” says Tanase. “I soaked it up as much as I could, and I still ride there now.”

Para Dressage Dreams

Long before Tanase took her first riding lesson, a competitive streak led her to wonder whether equestrians with disabilities ever attained success in the show ring. Her internet sleuthing turned up videos of well-known para dressage riders like current U.S. star Roxanne Trunnell.

“I watched and was like, yup, I wanna do this,” she says.

Realizing that entering the para dressage ranks required more skill than she possessed, Tanase bided her time.

“[In 2019] I let the staff [at Quantum Leap] know that I was interested in doing more than just recreational riding,” she recalls. That spring, she sat in a dressage saddle for the first time.

Tanase had learned that para dressage athletes must be “classified”—evaluated by trained experts who determine riders’ eligibility to compete—and at which level, or “grade.” The grades and the para dressage tests are based on degree of impairment, from I (most impaired) to V (least impaired).

“I wasn’t sure how to get started,” says Tanase. “[But] I kept trying to reach out to people who could help me.”

One of her emails landed in the inbox of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) para dressage discipline manager, who informed Tanase that a classification event would be held in Wellington, Fla., in early 2020. Shortly before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, Tanase got classified as a Grade I para dressage athlete.

“I’ve been trying to climb the ladder since then,” she says.

Obstacles Along the Way

It hasn’t been a smooth climb. For starters, a para dressage rider needs a horse, and Tanase doesn’t own one. They also need to compete, and that’s hard to do without sufficient resources.

During the pandemic’s horse show shutdowns, she took advantage of virtual para dressage shows offered by the USEF as an alternative, and submitted video of herself riding a Grade I test. Her score didn’t quite meet the USEF benchmark, and then unfortunately her regular mount, Shane, had to be retired and later passed away.

Finding training opportunities has been another challenge. Quantum Leap’s therapeutic riding instructors have taken crash courses in dressage and do what they can to help Tanase, but the discipline is not their strong suit.

Area dressage trainers are supportive, but obstacles frequently arise, from barns that aren’t wheelchair accessible to horses that aren’t safe enough for a para equestrian. For the moment, Tanase is riding Quantum Leap’s Morgan gelding Courtscroft Diamond Blaze (aka “Khan”), and regrouping to try again.

She hopes to get video of a test with Khan before the end of 2023, and to earn a score that will move her one step closer to making USEF’s list of “emerging” para dressage athletes, which, in addition to opening up training opportunities, would make her eligible for a borrowed-horse program.

Education and Career

Like the majority of adult amateur equestrians, Tanase juggles career obligations with horses. In 2021, she earned a master’s degree in health care administration, and after a couple of years working part-time, she started her first full-time job this fall as an Rx data entry clerk for health insurance companies. She aims to work her way up to a supervisory or management role in health care administration.

Besides the Ms. Wheelchair campaigns and the online pavement-pounding, Tanase has written articles about her para dressage quest and snagged some local TV news coverage. Some of it’s for personal gain, of course—her ultimate equestrian goal is to make the U.S. Paralympic team—but it’s also to continue spreading the message of her pageant platform.

“Being able to ride gives me the opportunity to do things that I wouldn’t [otherwise] be able to do,” she says. “If it weren’t for riding, I wouldn’t have been able to talk to you today or to educate others in the equestrian community about what it’s like being a rider with a disability.”

Physically, emotionally, and psychologically, Tanase believes horses are the best therapy. That’s a platform we can all get behind.

Follow Tanase on Instagram @bt.paradressage.

This article about Bryanna Tanase appeared in the January/February 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post How Horses Changed the Life of Bryanna Tanase appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The USA’s Para Dressage Team arrived in France on a mission that was about a decade in the making―to earn team gold and respect for their accomplishments at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. They came into the Games ranked number one in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) world standings, and undefeated in international team competition in 2024. Yet, the international press wasn’t quite as on board as they could have been in touting the U.S. Team’s accomplishments to that point.

After four days of intense competition against the best in the world the first week of September, the four U.S. riders came away with the full gamut of Paralympic medals: team gold and six individual medals (four gold, one silver and one bronze). This was the first-ever team gold medal and only the second Paralympics equestrian team medal for U.S. Para Dressage (they won team bronze in Tokyo). They also earned a Paralympic record high score in the team competition in France, 235.567 (team scores are determined by adding their three riders’ scores together; U.S. riders earned 77.000, 80.000 and 78.567).

Not only that, but they won more Paralympic medals at one event than the U.S. Para Equestrian Team had ever won before (seven). This easily topped the USA’s medal counts from previous Games. Before 2024, the USA had won three Paralympic equestrian medals each in Atlanta in 1996 (three individual) and Tokyo in 2021 (one team and two individual).

Suddenly, the U.S. Team was no longer flying under the recognition radar. Everyone was aware of what their Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Michel Assouline already knew months before, “This is the completion of a long-time, well-planned dream, going back to Tryon 2018 [World Equestrian Games], where we started to actually make changes. In Tokyo, when we won bronze, I had a clear plan and strategy in place and in my mind, to earn that team medal. I just knew it had to be gold in Paris for us.”

“It has been three years of very hard work, planning, logistics, competition strategies, both for Europe and in the U.S.,” he continued, “The horsepower, the coaches, and the whole program, had to be revamped to get to this point. It’s a funny thing to think―it’s what I expected―but you never want to talk about it openly. I had it in mind that this was our goal and here we are. This feels like such an amazing accomplishment for everyone who has been involved with this program over the years.”

Meet the U.S. Riders

Para riders are officially classified into one of five ability grades before they compete, with Grade V being the most able-bodied and Grade I the least. Each team had to have at least one rider from Grades I, II or III and no team could have more than two from any one grade. Riders representing the USA were:

◆ Grade I, Roxanne Trunnell, 39, (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fuersentaball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo

◆ Grade II, Fiona Howard, 25, (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wolkentanz) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty

◆ Grade III, Rebecca Hart, 39, (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young

◆ Grade IV, Kate Shoemaker, 37, (Wellington, Fla.) and Vianne, a 2016 American-bred Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube) owned by Nocordia USA and cared for by Katherine Barrett

The USA had no riders in Grade V. Find more information about the U.S. Para Dressage Team riders, horses and staff here.

In addition to Assouline, the U.S. Para Dressage Team was supported at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by Team Leader Laureen Johnson, Team Veterinarian Dr. Kim Snyder, Human Physiotherapist Joanne Frantz, and Personal Care Assistant Tina Wentz. Additional officers and staff from the United States Equestrian Federation present at the Paris 2024 equestrian venue included President Tom O’Mara, Director of FEI/High Performance Sport Hallye Griffin, Senior Director Social Media & Sport Communications Carly Weilminster and Digital Content Manager Devyn Trethewey. And the riders were cheered on by a large contingent of their coaches, family and friends, and horse owners, as well as U.S. Paralympians from other sports. Vianne’s (Shoemaker’s horse) breeder Catherine Haddad Staller was also in the audience.

Venue and Schedule

The Paris 2024 Paralympic equestrian venue was the same as for the Olympic Games, the beautiful and historic Palace of Versailles about 15 miles southwest of the center of Paris. The Palace and Grand Canal served as a backdrop to the competition going on in the arena, and the riders were in awe of performing in such an iconic place.

“I had to take a couple of days to get used to this venue. It is such a surreal experience to ride into this venue with so much history and the majesty of this arena,” said Hart, who rode Floratina to two individual gold medals and as part of the gold-medal U.S. Team.

A first horse inspection of the para dressage horses on September 2 was followed by two days of individual competition, with Grades I, II and III competing for medals on September 3 and Grades IV and V on September 4. Then, there was a rest day on September 5, followed by the para dressage team competition on September 6. The final day, September 7, was reserved for a second horse inspection, then the top eight riders from each grade performed their musical freestyles to determine a final set of individual medals.

U.S. Rider Performance Synopses

It should be noted when considering the U.S. Team’s remarkable success in 2024 that all four riders were mounted on horses relatively new to them. Hart had been paired with Floratina the longest, around 15 months. Shoemaker and Vianne had debuted together internationally in February 2024, while Howard and Trunnell first competed their mounts, Diamond Dunes and Fan Tastico H, internationally in March 2024. The young ages of two of the U.S. horses, Fan Tastico H (7) and Vianne (8), also make the performances of the U.S. riders all the more impressive.

Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H (Grade I)

At this year’s Paralympics, the USA’s Trunnell and “Fanta” finished in the silver position (78.000) in the Grade I Individual Test on the first day of competition, which also qualified them to compete in the freestyle on the final day. Then, the pair laid down a solid trip in the Grade I Team Test (77.000, second best score in that class) to help the U.S. Team win gold. Finally, in their Grade I Freestyle, ridden to the music of The Lion King, they scored 77.307 for fifth place, just 0.44 percent out of bronze. Trunnell holds a Masters in psychology with a focus in equine-assisted psychotherapy.

Trunnell, a native of Richland, Wash. who was competing in her third Paralympics, spoke after the team competition about her young horse and what the guidance of Assouline has meant to the U.S. Team, “I just really concentrated on him marching [during the test]. He’s so cool at only seven; it’s just going to get better and better. I think it’s all Michel. He got us in shape. He’s very strict. I think all his experience has helped us.”

Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes (Grade II)

Howard, who made her Olympic debut in France, and “Dunes” topped all three classes in Grade II for the USA, earning three personal bests in the process. They won gold in the Individual Test (76.931), gold in the Freestyle (81.994) ridden to music from Avatar, and helped their team to gold with 80.000 (the highest mark in the Team Test in any grade). Howard grew up in Great Britain, but lives full-time in the USA now. Her mother is American and her father British, so she holds dual citizenships. Howard studied at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. Before focusing on dressage, Howard competed in para reining.

Crediting her horse as a great partner in every interview throughout the week, Howard gave him credit for knowing his job well and helping her every time they performed. She also reflected on how much the people and horses in her life have helped her through difficult times. “When I was in the hospital, I didn’t really know what my life was going to look like. I was alive, but I wasn’t actually living a life. So, I just kind of took it one day at a time, and people believed in me. My doctors believed in me; my support team here believed in me. I have to give a lot of credit to the people around me, because I wouldn’t be here without them. Horses have been a reason to just keep going. They’re always there for you. Every morning, I wake up and I’m grateful to be around them. Every moment I spend with them just kind of inspires me to keep going.”

Rebecca Hart and Floratina (Grade III)

In Grade III, the USA’s gold streak continued with Hart, a five-time Paralympian, and “Flora” winning their Individual Test (77.900, a personal best). And, they sealed the deal for the U.S. Team’s gold, scoring 78.567 (another personal best) to achieve the needed points to boost the USA past the Netherlands for the win. Hart, who majored in business in college, is originally from Erie, Pa. She’s worked as a barista for Starbucks for a number of years.

Hart and Floratina also won gold in their Freestyle (83.534, a personal best), performing to soundtrack from Driving Miss Daisy. Hart said they had one tense moment as they warmed up around the outside of the dressage arena right before their Grade III Freestyle Test. The mare spooked at something and broke into a canter moments before they turned to enter at A, but they rallied to win the class.

“That was so wonderful. I was a little concerned when we started cantering [in the warm-up], but I was like ‘she will come back to me, she always does,’” shared Hart after their test, “It’s just electric [in the arena]. I told her she was fine. She went ‘are we OK?’ and I said ‘yes, we’re fine’ and she said, ‘OK, I trust you.’ It was such a magical moment. I got her back under control and gave her a pat. I told her she was a good girl, and I could feel her take a breath. Then, we hit the markers the way we needed to.”

Kate Shoemaker and Vianne (Grade IV)

Riding as an individual for the USA, Shoemaker, who grew up in Eagle, Idaho, was competing in her second Paralympic Games. She and Vianne came into the Games having never finished lower than third in their brief international career together. But an uncharacteristic spook during a movement which is scored double put them in fifth in the Paralympic Grade IV Individual Test (72.222). The rest of their Individual Test scored very well, however, and they qualified to move on to the Grade IV Freestyle on the last day. Riding to the music of Forrest Gump in their Freestyle, they danced together beautifully to earn a personal best score and the bronze medal (80.170). Shoemaker is a veterinarian with an equine sports medicine practice in Wellington, Fla.

Shoemaker was beaming after her freestyle ride on Vianne, “I could not keep the smile off my face. From the moment after the first halt, I was just like, ‘I’m here, with my favorite horse in the world,’ and the feeling, she just gave me so much joy. I have always felt so much emotion surrounding the music from Forrest Gump, but also the movie. The movie’s all about overcoming, and keeping going, and getting to something. I think that’s what our freestyle did today. It was overcoming, and getting to the end―to the joy and the peace―that’s where we were at today. I really hope that the music just spoke to everybody, and they could feel that it was coming from our souls.”

Other Paris 2024 Para Dressage Winners

In addition to the double-gold rides of Howard and Hart from the USA, there were standout performances by these riders who earned both individual and freestyle gold and scored over 80 in their freestyles: Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance, Latvia, Grade I; Demi Haerkens and Daula, the Netherlands, Grade IV, and Michele George and Best of 8, Belgium, Grade V.

Team silver went to the Netherlands (232.850) and team bronze to Germany (223.751). Find a full list of medal winners from the Paris 2024 Para Dressage competition here.

On To Los Angeles

The Olympics and Paralympics move on in four years’ time to Los Angeles, Calif., USA. This will be the third time for LA to host the Olympics (they also staged the Games in 1932 and 1984), but the first time for them to host the Paralympics (the 1984 Paralympics were held jointly by Stoke Mandeville in Great Britain and at two facilities on Long Island, N.Y., USA).

The 2028 LA Olympic Games will run July 14-30 and the Paralympic Games August 15-27. The LA 2028 equestrian events are likely to be at Galway Downs in Temecula, about 85 miles south of the center of LA. The International Olympic Committee and FEI have yet to confirm that all four equestrian sports (dressage, eventing, jumping, para dressage) will be included in LA 2028, so fingers crossed. To keep up with news of LA 2028, sign up for their newsletter here.

Rewind and Celebrate Again

After the U.S. Team’s gold-medal win, Hart shared her hopes for the impact the team’s success might have on the future of para equestrian sport in America and worldwide. “It was the culmination of years and years and years of work. I am so wildly proud of all these girls, because it’s been a group effort to get this done. It wouldn’t have happened without each one of us putting our best foot forward out there. What I’m really, really hoping is that this success, and these medals, bring para recognition and equality of the multiple disciplines within our federations. And, the realization that we are valuable, and we can deliver when we need to. I think that will help just grow the sport more, bring in more sponsors and horses and people. That is what I’m hoping for looking towards the future.”

Want to re-live the success of the U.S. Para Dressage Team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics or catch up on news of any equestrian action that you missed? Visit our Paralympics main page to find all of the news.

In mid-September, NBC reported an unprecedented increase in viewing of the 2024 Paris Paralympics over previous Games with overall viewing up 31-percent across all of their platforms (television broadcasts and livestreaming) from Tokyo three years earlier. Equestrian sports were mainly livestreamed on Peacock, and again, the 2024 Paralympics set records for views, with livestreams 11 times more than those of Tokyo in 2021. Replays of the Paris 2024 Paralympic equestrian competition may be viewed by subscribing to Peacock; for more information, head here.

For a complete synopsis of all the entry lists, officials, rules, schedule and results of the Paris 2024 Paralympics equestrian competition check out the Para Equestrian Sports Book.

Support the U.S. Equestrian Team in future competition by going to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s website to learn more.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Record-Setting Performance by U.S. Para Dressage Team appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 23, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise talk with Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace, co-authors of Beyond Expectations. To end the episode, they chat with Allison Anderson, a volunteer with Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, about this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse, A Lot of Heat.

Click to listen on mobile.

Listen to Barn Banter episode 23 now to hear about Sydney and Heather’s journey with Beyond Expectations.

Title Sponsor of Barn Banter: Adequan

Big thanks to our sponsor, Adequan! For over 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) has been trusted by veterinarians, trainers and horse owners. Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® is right for your horse. Visit Adequan.com to learn more. Adequan®. Start with it. Stay with it®.

Sydney Collier and Heather Wallace, co-authors of Beyond Expectations

Shortly after Sydney Collier began riding at age seven, she was diagnosed with the rare Wyburn-Mason Syndrome, a life-threatening condition that causes arteries and veins to grow together, causing arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brain. Years of experimental treatment and a resulting massive stroke took a toll on her body, but she never relinquished the dream of returning to the saddle and the sport that she loved.

Her belief and perseverance earned her a spot on the U.S. Para Dressage Team at age 16, and Sydney was the youngest competitor at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France. At age 18, she won the 2016 U.S. Para Dressage National Championships and became the youngest equestrian member in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Paralympics as a part of Team USA, placing seventh overall in her division. In addition to her Paralympic goals, Sydney has dedicated her life to service and maintains a busy schedule that includes athletic training, equestrian training, guest speaking, volunteering, babysitting, and giving riding demonstrations at a variety of events.

She graduated DeVry University on an Olympic scholarship, majoring in communications and is currently working to finish her MBA, specializing in marketing, thanks to a scholarship from the United States Olympic Committee. Sydney has been awarded the FEI Against All Odds Award, USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year, and The Captain Andrew B. De Szinay Memorial Sportsman Trophy. She was featured in the 2022 feature documentary ParaGold, directed by Ron Davis, which follows the lives of four Paralympic equestrian hopefuls as they vie for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team. Sydney is based in Wellington, Florida, where she is working to earn a place on the next team and help the USA stand on the medal podium.

Heather Wallace is the award-winning author of the books Confessions of a Timid Rider, Adulting with Horses, and Girl Forward: A Tale of One Woman’s Unlikely Adventure in Mongolia. In addition, she publishes a popular blog called The Timid Rider and co-hosts the podcast Adulting with Horses. By day, Heather is a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist dedicated to helping animals holistically. She lives in New Jersey with her family, dogs, and horses.

Both ladies will be at Equine Affaire Massachusetts Nov. 7-10 to sign copies of Beyond Expectations. Don’t miss meeting them if you’re at this event!

◆ Purchase a copy of Beyond Expectations from Trafalgar Square Books
◆ Sydney’s website
◆ Heather Wallace’s blog, The Timid Rider
◆ Follow Sydney on Instagram (@sydsparaquest)
◆ Follow Heather on Instagram (@timidrider)

A Lot of Heat, Adoptable Horse of the Month

A Lot of Heat is a striking 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a heart of gold and a promising future ahead. Having been responsibly retired and deemed sound, Heat is now embarking on a new chapter of his life filled with love, care, and endless possibilities. Learn more about A Lot of Heat here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 23, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 23: Sponsored by Adequan appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

A day after winning Team Gold, the U.S. Para Dressage Team added more medals to the count during Individual Freestyle competition on the final day of para equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. See the results of each grade level below.

Grade IV: USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne Bronze

The USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Norcordia USA’s Vianne, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube), garnered para dressage individual freestyle bronze today in Grade IV at the 2024 Paralympic Games equestrian venue at the Château de Versailles. They scored 80.170% in a gorgeous performance to the music of Forrest Gump. Vianne’s groom is Katherine Barrett.

Kate Shoemaker was full of emotion as she talked about her freestyle performance with Vianne today, “I could not keep the smile off my face. From the moment after the first halt, I was just like, ‘I’m here with my favorite horse in the world’ and I was overcome with so much joy and this peace. It was an answered prayer this morning. I just asked for peace and I feel like it was really a God-filled ride for me today.”

She said that nerves were an issue until she and Vianne arrived in the warm-up and then she was fine. “I was so nervous before my ride, probably the most nervous I’ve ever been. Because of not having had the opportunity to be on the team this week, which honestly was my goal coming into these Games. I’m so proud of them that they got it [the gold medal] done. But, it left me with this feeling that today was my last shot for these Games.”

Grade IV gold went Demi Haerkens and Daula from the Netherlands (83.390%). Silver to Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6 from Germany (80.900%).

View the full Grade IV Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Grade V: Michèle George (BEL) Wins Seventh Paralympic Title

Michèle George and Best of 8 grabbed another individual gold medal today in the para dressage Grade V Freestyle class here that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They also won individual gold for their performance on September 4. Their freestyle score today was 81.470%. Best of 8 is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare by Bonifatius. She is owned by Camille Vangheluwe and Wendy Laeremans and groomed by Vangheluwe.

This is George’s seventh Paralympic gold medal, and eighth Paralympic medal in total.

Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s captured silver (80.100%) and Sophie Wells (GBR) and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa finished in bronze position (75.445%).

View the full results of Grade V Individual Freestyle Para Dressage here.

Grade I: USA’s Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H Fifth

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) and Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H competed today in the Grade I Freestyle Para Dressage at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, finishing fifth on 77.307%. They performed to the music of The Lion King. Fan Tastico H is a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Fuersentaball OLD x Weltmeyer). He is cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo.

Trunnell’s parents, sister and Fanta’s owner Flint were all here to support her as she won Grade I Individual silver and was part of the gold-medal-winning U.S. team earlier this week. Her new puppy, a Chinese Crested named Obi-Wan, was also here in France with her, but did not make a public appearance. (Trunnell says Obi-Wan will make his debut at another show in the future.)

Roxanne Trunnell talked about her favorite point in their freestyle test today and what the experience has been like for her in France, “I liked his serpentines today, he really seemed to loosen up in those. It wasn’t his best test today, but he really tried. It’s been really great being here. My dad, mother, sister, and Fantastic’s owner, Karin Flint, are all here to support me.”

Taking the gold medal in Grade I Freestyle was Latvia’s Rihards Snikus riding the amazingly consistent and kind horse, King of the Dance. They scored a decisive 82.487%, riding to upbeat Latin music. This was Snikus’s second gold medal of the week since he also captured the Grade I Individual on September 3.

Sara Morganti from Italy won silver with Mariebelle (81.407%). Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst riding Athena Lindebjerg finished with the bronze (77.747%).

View the full Grade I Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Grade II: USA’s Fiona Howard & Diamond Dunes Gold Again

The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes, going next to last, in the Grade II Freestyle order this afternoon laid down another dominate gold-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. They glided around the arena to the soundtrack from Avatar to wow the judges and the audience. Their score, 81.994%, was another personal-best performance for Howard.

Diamond Dunes is an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wibella) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann, and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty. Howard said her parents, two sisters, and a large group of friends are here in France to cheer her on.

After winning gold in the Grade II Freestyle and posting another personal-best score, Howard spoke about her horse and her goals coming doing into the Paralympics, “My horse felt really great! This is the last day, so you have to dig a little deeper; by this point my muscles are definitely tired. But, I have such a great partner in Diamond Dunes. He really knows his job. He went out there, and again, gave me everything like he did the past two days. Whatever the results, I’m so proud of him. I couldn’t have asked him for any more. It was my first Paralympics, so I really came into it just wanting to do my best, and if I could help out the team, I really wanted to do that. So, this has kind of gone above my expectations.”

Great Britain’s Georgia Wilson came back today fighting after the disappointment of Team GB not winning a team medal yesterday. She and Sakura scored 79.374% to win silver. Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Dooloop turned in a nice performance, too, winning bronze on 76.127%.

View the full Grade II Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Grade III: Rebecca Hart and Floratina Gold Again

It was gold yet again for Rebecca Hart and Floratina in their final time in the picturesque stadium at the Château de Versailles, this time for their Grade III Freestyle, dancing to the music from the movie Driving Miss Daisy. And, boy did they ever dance, earning a 83.534% to close out an amazing success story for the U.S. Equestrian Team here at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Hart’s equine partner Floratina is a 16-year-old Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD) owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young. As they entered the arena and started to warm up around the outside, “Flora” broke into a bit of a spooked canter for three or so strides, but Hart calmed her quickly before they entered the ring to perform beautifully.

Hart shared praise for her horse and all who helped her in preparing to compete after their Freestyle Test. “That was so wonderful. I was a little concerned when we started cantering [around the outside of the competition arena during the pre-test warm-up]. I thought, ‘she’ll come back to me, she always does.’ It was just electric [in the stadium] and she’d been hearing all the crowds from the warm-ups. She [Flora] said, ‘Okay, I trust you.’ It was such a magical moment. Then, we hit the markers the way we needed to. I can’t thank everyone enough for this incredible week. Everyone behind the scenes―the grooms, horse owners, sponsors, Marlene Whitaker who created that freestyle for me. I just love Driving Miss Daisy!”

Performing two rides before Hart and Flora, the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq also scored above 83% (83.007) for silver. Great Britain’s Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus earned bronze with 77.140%.

View the full Grade III Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Paris 2024 Individual Freestyle Para Dressage Results

◆ Grade IV
◆ Grade V
◆ Grade I
◆ Grade II
◆ Grade III

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: U.S. Horses and Riders Add to Medal Haul on Freestyle Day appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

It was gold yet again for Rebecca Hart and Floratina in their final time in the picturesque stadium at the Château de Versailles, this time for their Grade III Freestyle, dancing to the music from the movie Driving Miss Daisy. And, boy did they ever dance, earning a 83.534% to close out an amazing success story for the U.S. Equestrian Team here at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Hart’s equine partner Floratina is a 16-year-old Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz 2 x Rubin Royal OLD) owned by Rowan O’Riley and cared for by Mackenzie Young. As they entered the arena and started to warm up around the outside, “Flora” broke into a bit of a spooked canter for three or so strides, but Hart calmed her quickly before they entered the ring to perform beautifully.

Hart shared praise for her horse and all who helped her in preparing to compete after their Freestyle Test. “That was so wonderful. I was a little concerned when we started cantering [around the outside of the competition arena during the pre-test warm-up]. I thought, ‘she’ll come back to me, she always does.’ It was just electric [in the stadium] and she’d been hearing all the crowds from the warm-ups. She [Flora] said, ‘Okay, I trust you.’ It was such a magical moment. Then, we hit the markers the way we needed to. I can’t thank everyone enough for this incredible week. Everyone behind the scenes―the grooms, horse owners, sponsors, Marlene Whitaker who created that freestyle for me. I just love Driving Miss Daisy!”

Performing two rides before Hart and Flora, the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq also scored above 83% (83.007) for silver. Great Britain’s Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus earned bronze with 77.140%.

View the full Grade III Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Rebecca Hart and Floratina Gold in Grade III Freestyle appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes, going next to last, in the Grade II Freestyle order this afternoon laid down another dominate gold-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. They glided around the arena to the soundtrack from Avatar to wow the judges and the audience. Their score, 81.994%, was another personal-best performance for Howard.

Diamond Dunes is an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (De L’Or x Wolkentanz) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann, and cared for by Helen Claire McNulty. Howard said her parents, two sisters, and a large group of friends are here in France to cheer her on.

After winning gold in the Grade II Freestyle and posting another personal-best score, Howard spoke about her horse and her goals coming doing into the Paralympics, “My horse felt really great! This is the last day, so you have to dig a little deeper; by this point my muscles are definitely tired. But, I have such a great partner in Diamond Dunes. He really knows his job. He went out there, and again, gave me everything like he did the past two days. Whatever the results, I’m so proud of him. I couldn’t have asked him for any more. It was my first Paralympics, so I really came into it just wanting to do my best, and if I could help out the team, I really wanted to do that. So, this has kind of gone above my expectations.”

Great Britain’s Georgia Wilson came back today fighting after the disappointment of Team GB not winning a team medal yesterday. She and Sakura scored 79.374% to win silver. Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Dooloop turned in a nice performance, too, winning bronze on 76.127%.

View the full Grade II Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: USA’s Fiona Howard & Diamond Dunes Gold Again in Para Dressage Grade II Freestyle appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) and Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H competed today in the Grade I Freestyle Para Dressage at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, finishing fifth on 77.307%. They performed to the music of The Lion King. Fan Tastico H is a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Fuersentaball OLD x Weltmeyer). He is cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo.

Trunnell’s parents, sister and Fanta’s owner Flint were all here to support her as she won Grade I Individual silver and was part of the gold-medal-winning U.S. team earlier this week. Her new puppy, a Chinese Crested named Obi-Wan, was also here in France with her, but did not make a public appearance. (Trunnell says Obi-Wan will make his debut at another show in the future.)

Roxanne Trunnell talked about her favorite point in their freestyle test today and what the experience has been like for her in France, “I liked his serpentines today, he really seemed to loosen up in those. It wasn’t his best test today, but he really tried. It’s been really great being here. My dad, mother, sister, and Fantastic’s owner, Karin Flint, are all here to support me.”

Taking the gold medal in Grade I Freestyle was Latvia’s Rihards Snikus riding the amazingly consistent and kind horse, King of the Dance. They scored a decisive 82.487%, riding to upbeat Latin music. This was Snikus’s second gold medal of the week since he also captured the Grade I Individual on September 3.

Sara Morganti from Italy won silver with Mariebelle (81.407%). Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst riding Athena Lindebjerg finished with the bronze (77.747%).

View the full Grade I Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: USA’s Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H Fifth in Para Dressage Grade I Freestyle appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Michèle George and Best of 8 grabbed another individual gold medal today in the para dressage Grade V Freestyle class here that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They also won individual gold for their performance on September 4. Their freestyle score today was 81.470%. Best of 8 is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare by Bonifatius. She is owned by Camille Vangheluwe and Wendy Laeremans and groomed by Vangheluwe.

This is George’s seventh Paralympic gold medal, and eighth Paralympic medal in total.

Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s captured silver (80.100%) and Sophie Wells (GBR) and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa finished in bronze position (75.445%).

View the full results of Grade V Individual Freestyle Para Dressage here.

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Michèle George (BEL) Wins Seventh Paralympic Title appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Norcordia USA’s Vianne, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube), garnered para dressage individual freestyle bronze today in Grade IV at the 2024 Paralympic Games equestrian venue at the Château de Versailles. They scored 80.170% in a gorgeous performance to the music of Forrest Gump. Vianne’s groom is Katherine Barrett.

Kate Shoemaker was full of emotion as she talked about her freestyle performance with Vianne today, “I could not keep the smile off my face. From the moment after the first halt, I was just like, ‘I’m here with my favorite horse in the world’ and I was overcome with so much joy and this peace. It was an answered prayer this morning. I just asked for peace and I feel like it was really a God-filled ride for me today.”

She said that nerves were an issue until she and Vianne arrived in the warm-up and then she was fine. “I was so nervous before my ride, probably the most nervous I’ve ever been. Because of not having had the opportunity to be on the team this week, which honestly was my goal coming into these Games. I’m so proud of them that they got it [the gold medal] done. But, it left me with this feeling that today was my last shot for these Games.”

Grade IV gold went Demi Haerkens and Daula from the Netherlands (83.390%). Silver to Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6 from Germany (80.900%).

View the full Grade IV Individual Freestyle Para Dressage results here.

Watch all of the Paris 2024 para equestrian action livestreamed or played back on demand (subscription required). For more information, go to NBCOlympics.com. For more coverage, visit our Paris 2024 Paralympics main page.

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne Bronze in Grade IV Individual Freestyle Para Dressage appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Check out Horse Illustrated’s latest updates from the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the equestrian sport of para dressage. 

U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

◆ U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team

Latest News

Record-Setting Performance by U.S. Para Dressage Team

The USA’s Para Dressage Team arrived in France on a mission that was about a decade in the making―to earn team gold and respect for their accomplishments at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. They came into the Games ranked number one in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) world standings, and undefeated in international team competition in 2024. Yet, the international press wasn’t quite as on board as they could have been in touting the U.S. Team’s accomplishments to that point.

After four days of intense competition against the best in the world the first week of September, the four U.S. riders came away with the full gamut of Paralympic medals: team gold and six individual medals (four gold, one silver and one bronze). This was the first-ever team gold medal and only the second Paralympics equestrian team medal for U.S. Para Dressage (they won team bronze in Tokyo). They also earned a Paralympic record high score in the team competition in France, 235.567.

Read more >>

U.S. Horses and Riders Add to Medal Haul on Freestyle Day

A day after winning Team Gold, the U.S. Para Dressage Team added more medals to the count during Individual Freestyle competition on the final day of para equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Check here to see the results of each grade level in Individual Freestyle Pra Dressage.

Read more >>

Rebecca Hart and Floratina Gold in Grade III Freestyle

It was gold yet again for Rebecca Hart and Floratina in their final time in the picturesque stadium at the Château de Versailles, this time for their Grade III Freestyle, dancing to the music from the movie Driving Miss Daisy. And, boy did they ever dance, earning a 83.534% to close out an amazing success story for the U.S. Equestrian Team here at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Read more >>

USA’s Fiona Howard & Diamond Dunes Gold Again in Para Dressage Grade II Freestyle

The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes, going next to last, in the Grade II Freestyle order this afternoon laid down another dominate gold-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. They glided around the arena to the soundtrack from Avatar to wow the judges and the audience. Their score, 81.994%, was another personal-best performance for Howard.

Read more >>

USA’s Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H Fifth in Para Dressage Grade I Freestyle

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) and Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H competed today in the Grade I Freestyle Para Dressage at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, finishing fifth on 77.307%. They performed to the music of The Lion King. Fan Tastico H is a 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Fuersentaball OLD x Weltmeyer). He is cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo.

Taking the gold medal in Grade I Freestyle was Latvia’s Rihards Snikus riding the amazingly consistent and kind horse, King of the Dance. They scored a decisive 82.487%, riding to upbeat Latin music. This was Snikus’s second gold medal of the week since he also captured the Grade I Individual on September 3.

Read more >>

Michèle George (BEL) Wins Seventh Paralympic Title

Michèle George and Best of 8 grabbed another individual gold medal today in the para dressage Grade V Freestyle class here that the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They also won individual gold for their performance on September 4. Their freestyle score today was 81.470%. Best of 8 is a 14-year-old Hanoverian mare by Bonifatius. She is owned by Camille Vangheluwe and Wendy Laeremans and groomed by Vangheluwe.

This is George’s seventh Paralympic gold medal, and eighth Paralympic medal in total.

Read more >>

USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne Bronze in Grade IV Individual Freestyle Para Dressage

The USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Norcordia USA’s Vianne, an 8-year-old Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube), garnered para dressage individual freestyle bronze today in Grade IV at the 2024 Paralympic Games equestrian venue at the Château de Versailles. They scored 80.170% in a gorgeous performance to the music of Forrest Gump. Vianne’s groom is Katherine Barrett.

Grade IV gold went Demi Haerkens and Daula from the Netherlands (83.390%). Silver to Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6 from Germany (80.900%).

Read more >>

U.S. Para Dressage Captures Team Gold

Today was the Paris 2024 Paralympics para dressage team competition at Château de Versailles with 16 nations putting forward teams of three riders each in search of team medals. As the current world number-one ranked team, the pressure was really on the USA.

There was a lot on the line to prove their right to be top-tier. The three U.S. riders, surrounded by a super supportive entourage, simply brought it on―mic drop, the end, gold please!

Read more >>

US Equestrian Announces Combinations to Contest Team Competition

US Equestrian has announced the horse and rider combinations selected to represent the U.S. in tomorrow’s para dressage team competition. They are as follows: Rebecca Hart and Floratina; Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes; and Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H. Team competition for medals begins tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 6. at 9:30 a.m. GMT (3:30 a.m. U.S. ET) with Grade IV competition.

Read more >>

Para Dressage Grade V Individual Test Results Summary

After the last Grade V horse and rider pair finished their final pass down centerline, the medals were awarded. Gold went to Belgium’s Michele George and Best of 8 (76.692%), silver to Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s (73.231%), and bronze to Great Britain’s Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (72.257%).

Read more >>

USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne 5th in Para Dressage Grade IV

Representing the United States, Kate Shoemaker and Vianne finished fifth in today’s Individual Grade IV Para Dressage, qualifying for Saturday’s Individual Freestyle Test. Tomorrow is a rest day for para equestrians, followed by Friday’s team competition.

Read more >>

Heavy Medal Haul for USA on Para Dressage Day 1

The Paris 2024 Paralympics equestrian competition kicked off today at the beautiful and historic equestrian venue here at Château de Versailles in France. All three U.S. riders secured a medal, and also scored high enough to move on to Saturday’s (September 7) freestyle class.

Rebecca Hart and Floratina (Grade III) and Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes (Grade II) took gold. Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H (Grade I) took silver.

Read more >>

U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team Sets Competitive Tone on First Day of Individual Competition

The U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team completed a tremendous first day of competition to begin their campaign at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Three combinations took to the main stadium to compete in their first tests of the competition, capturing three individual medals in their respective grades. Rebecca Hart aboard Floratina, and Fiona Howard with Diamond Dunes, both earned individual gold, while Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H finished with individual silver.

Read more >>

Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H Capture Individual Silver in Grade I FEI Grand Prix Test A

Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H (Grade I) secured individual silver in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Trunnell and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fuerstenball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint, earned yet another personal best score for the United States, securing a 78.000% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Trunnell’s third Paralympic Games representing the United States and was a double individual gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. More news to follow.

Read more >>

Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes Earn Individual Gold Medal in Grade II Grand Prix Test A

Fiona Howard (Boston, Mass.) and Diamond Dunes (Grade II) secured individual gold in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Howard and Diamond Dunes, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (De L’or x Wibella) owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselman, earned a personal best score of 76.931% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Howard’s first Paralympic Games representing the United States.

Read more >>

Rebecca Hart Secures Individual Gold in Grade III Grand Prix Test A

Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Floratina (Grade III) secured individual gold in their first test of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Hart and Floratina, a 2008 Hanoverian mare (Fidertanz x Rubina) owned by Rowan O’Riley, earned a personal best score of 77.900% in FEI Grand Prix Test A for their first individual podium finish together as a combination. Paris 2024 is Hart’s fifth Paralympic Games representing the United States and today’s gold medal marks the first individual Paralympic medal of her career.

Read more >>

Paralympic equestrian stars all set to dance on Versailles stage

Established stars will seek to hold off the challenge of emerging athletes as Para Dressage makes its entrance to Paris 2024 at the spectacular Château de Versailles.

A total of 76 athletes from 30 nations will assemble for four days of competition spread across five days from Tuesday, 3 September to Saturday, 7 September.

The first two days will be Individual Medal Events in all five Grades.

All horses that were presented on Monday’s First Horse Inspection passed.

Read more >>

Para Dressage Preview

Twenty-eight days after the close of the Olympic jumping, the Paris 2024 Paralympics equestrian competition begins at the Château de Versailles in France on September 2. Para dressage will take place in the same stadium as the three Olympic equestrian sports with a gorgeous view of the iconic Grand Canal and Palace in the background.

It will be exciting to witness performances from all of the athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic equestrian venue, but especially those of the strong contingent from the USA. The U.S. team won bronze in the Tokyo 2020/21 Paralympics, with U.S. Grade I rider Roxanne Trunnell, who is also on the team for Paris 2024, taking two gold medals (one each in the individual and freestyle competitions).

Read more >>

US Equestrian Announces U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent the United States as part of Team USA at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Para-equestrian competition will begin on Tuesday, September 3, and continue through Saturday, September 7, hosted at the equestrian grounds of Versailles.

The team members are Rebecca Hart and Floratina, Fiona and Diamond Dunes, Kate Shoemaker and Vianne, Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H.

Read more >>

US Equestrian Announces U.S. Olympic Dressage Team for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

US Equestrian is pleased to announce the 12 athlete-and-horse combinations selected to the U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team Short List ahead of the 2024 Paris Paralympics to be held in Versailles, France, from September 2-7, 2024. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson. The final team selection will be announced by the definite entry deadline of August 5, 2024.

Read more >>

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post 2024 Paris Paralympics: Latest News appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.