American Roxanne Trunnell broke the 9-year-old Grade I Paralympic Freestyle record today in Tokyo in a stunning Freestyle medal competition, which also saw Great Britain’s Sir Lee Pearson take his third gold of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

The Highest-Scoring Podium

Grade I was the only Grade to have three athletes with a score of over 80% on the podium. Trunnell scored 86.927% on Dolton to break the previous record of 84.750% set by Sophie Christiansen (GBR) in London 2012.

“I just wanted a nice test. It felt good with the music the whole time,” Trunnell said. “It’s been really nice. Everyone is so happy and friendly, it makes everyone in the barn happy. It’s just fun. Everyone will be excited when we get home.”

The ever-brilliant Rihards Snikus (LAT) took his second silver in Tokyo on King of the Dance with 82.087%, doubtless prompting more demands for his DJing skills when he gets back home. For Snikus, these two medals more than make up for his disappointment at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. And third place went to Sara Morganti (ITA) on Royal Delight with 81.100%.

Sir Pearson Makes It a Golden 14

Pearson became the most successful athlete in the entire competition by taking his third gold medal of Tokyo 2020, the 14th of his Paralympic career, in the Grade II Freestyle.

His relatively inexperienced and home-bred partner, Breezer, took him to a massive 82.447% to take the title ahead of Pepo Puch (AUT), who rode Sailor’s Blue to a score of 81.007%. Meanwhile Pearson’s young teammate, Georgia Wilson (GBR), added another brilliant bronze to her collection on Sakura with 76.754%, which is not a bad result for the reserve rider who was called to Tokyo as a last-minute replacement for Sophie Christiansen.

“Number 14, not that we’re counting,” laughed Pearson. “I’m twice over the moon. I actually didn’t care if I medalled. That horse gave me his heart in there. He was so much braver than the team and individual test a few days ago. He was still nervous, and we had a tiny little spook when we entered, but I said, ‘Come on, we can do this.’”

Pearson came to Tokyo with Breezer having had to retire from their selection event. “I’ve not managed to ride this Freestyle in a competition, so I’ve been nervous for days. He’s brilliant. I’m taking the best horse home. I didn’t think I could love him any more than I did before, but he’s beautiful, amazing.”

Voets’ Haevnly Gold

Sanne Voets (NED) stormed to victory in the Grade IV Freestyle with a massive personal best score of 82.085% to win her class. Riding Demantur N.O.P. to the stirring music of Dutch artists HAEVN, she finished comfortably ahead of silver medalist Louise Etzner Jakobbson (SWE) who scored 75.935% on Goldstrike B.J. Manon Claeys (BEL) took bronze on San Dior 2 with 75.680%.

Jakobbson’s silver was even more remarkable given that she broke her leg falling off her bike just a couple of months ago, and only got back on a horse to ride two weeks ago during the horses’ quarantine in Aachen, Germany.

“I’m not sure I can find the right words,” said Voets after her ride. “I was really focused, and normally when I first enter a test, I try to make eye contact with the judge. I never did that here. It was just me and my horse and the music. It was a bit like hypnosis. It felt powerful and soft and relaxed and confident. Sometimes when you ride a test, you’re thinking, ‘What do I do now?’ But it was like it just happened to me. It felt like we found that true harmony, and it was the two of us and no one else.”

George’s Golden Double

Michele George (BEL) was dominant again in the Grade V Freestyle, defending her 2012 London and 2016 Rio titles with aplomb. She scored 80.590% on Best of 8 to pip Frank Hosmar (NED) to the title by just 0.350 of a point. Hosmar, riding Alphaville N.O.P. scored 80.240 to take the silver, while Regine Mispelkamp (GER) took bronze with 76.820 on Highlander Delight’s.

“I’m really blown away,” said George. “The mare is just fantastic. What can I say, I’m a bit speechless because coming over here with a young horse and showing the world what she’s capable of is just genius. I knew she could, but I thought maybe it was a bit early to show everyone, because at home she can work like a queen, but at home is at home.”

George went into the arena just after Hosmar had posted his great score. “Once you’re riding into the arena you don’t look at that,” she said. “I know he had a high score, but I thought the mare feels good, so I came into the arena and tried to make something even better. That’s the spirit.”

Jorgensen’s Double Delight

In the second highest-winning score of the night in the fight for freestyle medals, Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) rode Jolene Hill to his second gold of the Tokyo Paralympics in the Grade III Freestyle. Together they scored a massive 84.347% to take the title ahead of Natasha Baker (GBR), who scored 77.614% on Keystone Dawn Chorus. Anne Katrin Lubbe (NOR) took the bronze on La Costa Majlund with 76.477%.

“I feel great,” said Jorgensen, clearly delighted afer his ride. “I left my head out here this time, because I wanted to show I can do this. I just rode to the edge of being too much, and I was probably closer to some mistakes today than I was yesterday, but I took the chance. I always had the dream of double gold, but I knew it would be hard. I would be happy if it was a silver or bronze, just to get two medals at my first Paralympics, but two golds is amazing.”

At the end of five days of stunning para dressage competition, the horses and athletes of Tokyo 2020 will now start their journeys home. They will remember a record-breaking week of drama ending with Roxanne Trunnell’s freestyle medal record and fierce competition that saw new champions crowned and titles re-won or defended at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Great Britain topped the para dressage table, with three golds, three silvers and two bronzes, ahead of The Netherlands’ two golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Belgium take the third spot with two golds and two bronzes, followed by the USA in fourth position with two golds and a bronze.

The world’s best para dressage athletes will gather again in August 2022 at the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN). Until then, the memories of this competition in Tokyo will be slow to fade. It’s been a dazzling, brilliant Paralympic Games.

Results here.

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The United States Para Dressage Team finished with the bronze medal at the conclusion of team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 were the final combination to record a score for the team, earning a 71.825 percent from the ground jury in the FEI Grade IV Team Test to Music to help the team finish on a final total of 224.352. This is the best team finish for the U.S. Para Dressage Team at a Paralympic Games in the history of the program.

Three U.S. combinations have qualified for the FEI Individual Freestyle to Music tomorrow, which will conclude equestrian competition at Equestrian Park for these Paralympic Games.

Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Deena, Craig, and Kate Shoemaker, anchored the team as the only ride on the second day of competition to round out team scoring with a 71.825 precent in their Grade IV Team Test to Music. Shoemaker’s test with Solitaer 40 was improved from their individual test in Grade IV, and Shoemaker commented on the change in warm-up preparation heading into the test.

“I think that was one of the best tests we’ve done, so I’m really happy,” she said. “There were a few bobbles here and there, but the overall way of going I was incredibly happy with, and I’m super pleased,” said Shoemaker. “It was a night-and-day difference from the first night. We tried for an elastic, forward moving way, and it wasn’t well-received by the judges, so we went for collection, balance, and correctness today, and we showed the potential we have.”

Following Shoemaker’s ride, the team waited for the final rides of the remaining countries to see how the scoreboard would shake out. With tight competition from Denmark and Belgium, it was a nerve-wracking finish, with the United States ultimately contributing high-enough scores from each of the three combinations to earn the team bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. Rebecca Hart, of Wellington, Fla., in her fourth Paralympic Games appearance, this time aboard El Corona Texel, a 12-year-old KWPN owned by Rowan O’Riley, reflected on the work and progress the team has made over the past sixteen years, as she beamed at her first-ever Paralympic medal.

“This was such an amazing competition. It was so close, and it was a nail-biter until the absolute end. I’m so incredibly blessed and proud to be standing here with these two incredible riders. This was a complete and total team effort. For all the people and our support, our grooms, and everyone behind the scenes that make all of this happen, to be able to finally, after all these years, get to stand on that podium representing our country is so fulfilling. It’s a lifelong dream that has just come true.”

Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Flintewood Farms, LLC, and Karin Flint, led the team’s efforts, breaking the 80 percent mark for the second time this week in her Grade I Team Test to Music yesterday evening. Trunnell noted that you have to accept and move on from the pressure of waiting, because once you deliver for your team, what happens will happen.

“For me, there wasn’t pressure because what happens, happens you know,” said Trunnell. Hart laughed and chimed in that Trunnell is the rock of the team because the rest of the team was on the edge of their seats throughout the evening’s competition.

Michel Assouline, who is managing his first championship as chef d’equipe for the U.S. Para Dressage Team was thrilled with the outcome and the performances of his three team combinations. With the team securing their first Paralympic team medal, Assouline is ready to build on this momentum looking ahead to the short quadrennial ahead of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

“I came with a mission to lead these wonderful athletes to the Paralympic podium,” said Assouline. “I just didn’t know it would happen in a relatively short spell, but with such amazing overall support and talent, the dream became true. We will continue to deliver our best tomorrow on the final day of competition here and will immediately start looking ahead to the World Championships next year and Paris 2024, so we can continue to deliver success for this program and team.”

Beatrice de Lavalette, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla., and Clarc, Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, and Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton will all return tomorrow to contest the FEI Individual Freestyle to Music on the final day of equestrian Paralympic competition. The Second Horse Inspection will take place at 9:00 a.m. JST/8:00 p.m. EST, with Grade IV Freestyle competition leading off the evening at 4:00 p.m. JST/3:00 a.m. EST. Grade II competition will begin at 7:45 p.m. JST/6:45 a.m. EST, while Grade I competition will conclude the night, starting at 9:00 p.m. JST/8:00 a.m. EST.

All results here and here.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Stay up to date with the U.S. Para Dressage Team by following USA Para Dressage on Facebook and USA Dressage on Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAParaDressage.

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With day one of the para dressage team competition complete, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics team medal winners remain impossible to call.

On current standings, any combination of The Netherlands, Great Britain, USA, Belgium and Denmark could take a place on the podium, and in any order.

All team riders from Canada and Singapore have now competed, leaving Canada at the top of the leaderboard with a combined score of 211.699, ahead of Singapore with 200.792.

How It Works

There are three athletes per team. Each grade competes separately in its own team test, with each horse-and-athlete combination performing a series of pre-determined movements, which differ by grade. Today, it was the turn for the athletes in Grades I, II and III to execute the team test, and tomorrow Grades IV and V will be in the arena to seal the deal. The combined results of each of the teams’ three athletes will determine the overall score, and the team with the most points wins gold.

Great Britain’s Best Start

The day started well for Sir Lee Pearson (GBR) who won the Grade II Team Test on Breezer with 77.636%.

“I am over the moon with that lovely score,” she said. “Breezer doesn’t like the Olympic arena, and he was quite frightened in there. He’s a sensitive soul, but I’m so proud of him because I held his hand, and he trusted me, and I could be sitting here with a different story. He’s sensitive, but that sensitivity when it’s on side, makes him fabulous.”

Pepo Puch (AUT) came second in the test on Sailor’s Blue with 74.909%, while Katrine Kristensen (DEN) earned her team a valuable 72.515% on Welldone Dallas.

Trunnell Throws Down an 80-Plus Challenge

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) lay down the day’s only 80-plus score in the Grade I Team Test riding Dolton to 80.321%. The noise of fire engines attending a nearby incident added pressure during her test, but the pair rose above it to perform calmly and brilliantly.

Second place went to Sara Morganti (ITA) with an impressive 79.286% on Royal Delight, ahead of Michael Murphy (IRL) on Cleverboy, with 75.179%. That last result was especially pleasing for the young Irish rider the day after he suffered an equipment failure in the Grade I Individual Test, which left him in last place.

“He felt brilliant again,” Trunnell said after her test. “He was a little tense but we worked through it.”

She referenced the disturbance outside the venue. “That’s what made him tense up a little,” she explained. “I don’t think you can prepare. It just happens and you go with it. It means a lot to ride for the USA after such a weird year. Everyone is going to remember this Paralympics.”

Baker Builds as Thorning Jorgensen Leads

Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) gave his country a real shot at a medal with a stunning 79.559% in the Grade III Team Test on Jolene Hill.

But also building her team’s score was Natasha Baker (GBR) who posted 76.618% on Keystone Dawn Chorus, just ahead of Rixt van der Horst (NED) on Findsley N.O.P. with 76.235%.

“It was intense today,” said Jorgensen. “I’ve done something today, so I have a little bit of pain, so that was just Jolene carrying me around. I’m very grateful to her. She went even better than yesterday. This is a great start, and I hope we can be a medal contender or at least be there so if anyone makes a mistake, we can take it. I just love the team competition, because we go down here as a family and be there for each other.”

How Things Stand and What’s Next

Based on the scores at this halfway point in the competition, the gold medal is still up for grabs between the USA, Great Britain, and The Netherlands. However, strong performances from the two Danish riders today, and with Belgium’s two remaining riders still to go, mean those two countries could still snatch a medal.

It all comes down to tomorrow’s Grade IV and V Tests. As the Grade V athletes go first, all eyes will be on Kate Shoemaker (USA) who will determine her team’s final score as well as on Frank Hosmar (NED), who will want to build on his teammate Van Der Horst’s performance today.

Individual Grade IV bronze medallist Manon Claeys (BEL) and Grade V Individual Test gold medallist Michele George (BEL) will complete Belgium’s competition, while Grade V Individual Test silver medallist Sophie Wells (GBR) could produce her country’s winning score.

But in a dramatic finish, Grade IV Individual Test gold medallist Sanne Voets (NED) could find herself riding to seal victory for her country. As the last of the likely winners to ride, she will have a good idea of the score needed to get the gold. Adding to the pressure, is her chance of becoming only the third para dressage athlete to secure the triple, triple of consecutive European, World and Paralympic gold medals.

Sanne insists that she doesn’t play the numbers game, but her fans and followers of para dressage will know that this will be one of the highest stakes ride she will ever perform.

Results here.

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The second day of para dressage competition in Tokyo saw the remaining two Grades, I and III, battle for the individual test titles and the important qualification slots for the upcoming Freestyle To Music test, and it saw Roxanne Trunnell capturing a gold for the United States at the Tokyo Paralympics.

A twist of fate would have it that both victors were new to the top spot of the Paralympic podium, a feat which is easier said than done, given the longevity of some para equestrian careers and the experienced athletes they faced in the impressive Baji Koen arena today.

Roxanne Trunnell Rocks in Tokyo Paralympics

An imperious performance from American Roxanne Trunnell secured her first ever para dressage global title at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Currently World No. 1 across all five grades, Trunnell won the Grade I individual test with a massive score of 81.464% with her mount, Dolton.

The silver medal went to Rihards Snikus (LAT), a keen DJ known as DJ Richy Rich to his friends, who was first into the arena and laid down a challenging score of 80.179% on King of the Dance. Reigning FEI World Equestrian Games champion Sara Morganti (ITA), took bronze on Royal Delight with 76.964%. It is a medal that is especially sweet for her, as her horse failed the vet inspection at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“Dolton felt like he was really with me and was really a good boy,” said Trunnell after her test and medal ceremony. “He surprised me with how calm he has been. It’s been wonderful at the Games. Everyone is so nice and helpful.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg for Dolton,” she continued. “He’s so young, and he’ll be able to do so much more. It means a lot to me as well. It was very nice up there. We had our own little group of people that looked happy.”

As the World No. 1, Roxanne Trunnell holds two world records, although not at the Tokyo Paralympics, for the highest scores in a freestyle test (89.522%) and in a Grade I team test (84.702%). She came to these Games with huge expectations placed on her shoulders. She remained, however, unfazed. “I don’t think about pressure—that’s all just noise to me,” she added. “It’s just me and Dolton doing our own thing. He is loving all the attention, it’s fun. He’s a goofy young horse, he’s temperamental but also easy to get along with.”

Tobias Has Golden Debut

As debut Games go, it’s fair to say that Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) is having a good one. In his first ever ride in a Paralympic Games arena, he won the Grade III individual test with a score of 78.971%, on Jolene Hill.

In doing so, he dethroned two-time Grade III Paralympic Champion, Natasha Baker (GBR), who came second on Keystone Dawn Chorus, with 76.265%. Bronze went to current World Champion Rixt van der Horst (NED) on Findsley N.O.P. with 75.765%.

“It was amazing, it really was,” Jorgensen said, as he beamed after his test. “I was so focused all the ride, but on the last turn, I just had this feeling it was great. I was so happy I just smiled. I knew that Rixt and Natasha would be my biggest opponents and are always coming to take the medals, but I also knew that, if I find my best, I could take the medal. I knew I had to do that.

“Jolene is a mare,” he continued. “In my warm-up, I ask her ‘Is this OK?’ and then in the arena she is there for me. If I ask her correctly, she will go through fire for me.”

Dream Teams and Teams of Dreams Up Next

Tomorrow sees the start of the team competition—run over two days—and is likely to be one of the closest in the history of para dressage at the Paralympic Games. As first in the world, the United States will want the gold to seal their meteoric rise, while Great Britain and The Netherlands will be working hard to deny them that.

Following the second day of competition and the completion of the individual test, Great Britain still tops the leaderboard, adding a silver to their tally today with one gold, two silver, and a bronze, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Denmark, who have picked up a gold medal over the past two days.

All results here and here.

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About the International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI)

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of jumping, dressage and eventing, as well as driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when para dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for para dressage and para driving. For more information, please visit www.fei.org.

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The post Two New Paralympic Equestrian Champions Crowned in Para Dressage in Tokyo in Grades I and III appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The U.S. Para Dressage Team saw its first two combinations head down the center line at Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan, opening the first day of equestrian competition at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc were the first combination to contest the Grade II Individual Test in the main stadium, earning a 70.265 percent, while Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 closed out the evening of competition with a 70.854 percent as the last combination in the Grade IV Individual Test. Both combinations qualified for their Grade’s FEI Individual Freestyle to Music on Monday, August 31.

De Lavalette and Clarc, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Elizabeth and Nicholas de Lavalette, made their first Paralympic debut, completed a solid test to open Grade II competition. The pair earned a 70.265 percent from the ground jury to put them into fifth place in Grade II competition. They are also the first U.S. combination to break the 70 percent mark in a Paralympic Games, setting an early tone for the team rides ahead.

“It was a very enjoyable ride,” said de Lavalette of her ride with Clarc. “I went through my test about a thousand times. I wasn’t really nervous, but just excited. The excitement took over, and I knew my test, I knew my horse was right, and we were together and in sync, so I couldn’t be happier with the ride.”

De Lavalette, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla., has said that competing at the Paralympic Games and representing her country is one of the main motivating factors in her incredible recovery and return to sport following the 2016 Brussels Airport bombings. Riding her recently acquired mount, Clarc, de Lavalette commented on the meaningfulness of the Paralympic journey and what it felt like to make her international championship debut.

“It is such a great honor to be here representing the U.S. at this competition and being able to have fun with my horse out there after five years of fighting for my life,” she said. “It was really very emotional for me at the end. Setting the goal of being here five years ago when I was in the ICU was a dream, and being here today is a dream realized, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very proud of myself and my team, because without them I wouldn’t be here.”

Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Deena, Craig, and Kate Shoemaker are also making their Paralympic debut after contesting their first major international championship with the U.S. Para Dressage Team at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. The pair earned a 70.854 percent from the judging panel in an extremely competitive first day of Grade IV competition, placing them seventh out of 15 competitors.

“I’m really pleased with my horse, though a little bit disappointed with the score of course, since we had hoped to be in the medals, and I felt our ride today was quite good, but all I can do is be happy with my performance in the ring, and I absolutely love my horse to pieces,” said Shoemaker after her test. “The energy in there was phenomenal. It just gives you a sense of power and the horses can feel it, and it’s just so much fun.”

Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40 have been partnered together for the entirety of both of their international careers and achieving this selection to the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the Tokyo Paralympic Games is the highlight for Shoemaker and her team. Working through the 2020 and 2021 seasons to continually improve their marks in both the individual and team tests, the pair have become a consistent combination for the team.

“We’ve been showing together for a while now, and this is the end of our seventh year together,” said Shoemaker. “It’s a partnership that’s been a long time coming. He loves championships, and when you add that little bit of energy, he really turns into something special, and it’s a feeling like none other.”

Competition will continue tomorrow at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in para dressage with FEI Individual Tests for Grade I and Grade III. Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton will be the first combination to lead off the Grade I Individual Test at 4:24 p.m. JST/3:24 a.m. EST, while Paralympic veteran Rebecca Hart, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and her mount, El Corona Texel, will compete in the Individual Test for Grade III competition at 9:26 p.m. JST/8:26 a.m. EST.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Schedule
Results

Stay up to date with the U.S. Para Dressage Team by following USA Para Dressage on Facebook and USA Dressage on Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAParaDressage.

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The post Beatrice de Lavalette and Kate Shoemaker Have Good Showing for U.S. Para Dressage Team at 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The U.S. Para Dressage Team presented their horses for the First Horse Inspection of the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 before the Ground Jury of Anne Praine (FRA), Sarah Leitch (GBR), Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Sue Cunningham (AUS), Kjell Myhre (NOR), Jeannette Wolfs (NED), Marc Urban (BEL), and President Marco Orsini (GER) at Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan. All four horses passed the Tokyo Paralympics first inspection as the team looks ahead to their first day of competition tomorrow, Thursday, August 26, which will feature the Grade II, IV, and V Individual Tests.

The team is comprised of:

◆ Rebecca Hart, of Wellington, Fla., and El Corona Texel, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Rowan O’Riley
◆ Beatrice de Lavalette, of Lake Worth, Fla., and Clarc, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Elizabeth and Nicholas de Lavalette
◆ Kate Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Kate, Craig, & Deena Shoemaker
◆ Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Flintewoode Farms LLC and Karin Flint

The team is led by Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson.

Now that the first inspection at the Tokyo Paralympics, competition for Grade II will begin at 4:00 p.m. JST/3:00 a.m. EST, followed by Grade IV competition at 5:50 p.m. JST/4:50 a.m. EST, and Grade V at 8:30 p.m. JST/7:30 a.m. EST.

Schedule
Results

Stay up to date with the U.S. Para Dressage Team by following USA Para Dressage on Facebook and USA Dressage on Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAParaDressage.

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U.S. Equestrian has announced the four athlete-and-horse combinations that have been selected to the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 alongside one direct reserve and two team alternates. Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson will lead the team in Tokyo. Paralympic equestrian competition is set to begin on August 28 and continue through August 30, 2021, at the Equestrian Park venue in Tokyo, Japan.

“Selectors had a difficult task to choose four athletes to represent the U.S. at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, as we had a lot of talented athletes all gathering score averages over 70% for the past six months,” said Assouline. “I really believe they have chosen a good squad, and I very much look forward to the journey to Tokyo. We will be facing fierce competition as several top European teams have done extremely well recently at international competitions, but we have done, too. We have a strong, competitive group, and I look forward to our tactical preparations leading up to Tokyo.”

The following athletes and horses have been selected to the 2020 U.S. Para Dressage Paralympic Team and are listed in alphabetical order:

◆ Beatrice de Lavalette, of Loxahatchee, Fla., and Clarc, a 2007 KWPN gelding owned by Elizabeth and Nicolas de Lavalette
◆ Rebecca Hart, of Loxahatchee, Fla., and El Corona Texel, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Rowan O’Riley
Direct Reserve: Fortune 500, a 2010 Oldenburg gelding owned by Rowan O’Riley
◆ Kate Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion owned by Kate, Craig, and Deena Shoemaker
◆ Roxanne Trunnell, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and Dolton, a 2012 Hanoverian gelding owned by Flintwoode Farms, LLC and Karin Flint

The following combinations have been named as team alternates and are listed in selected order:

◆ Sydney Collier, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and All In One, a 2009 Hanoverian gelding owned by Georgina Bloomberg
◆ Charlotte Merle-Smith, of Ocala, Fla., and Guata, her own 2011 Dutch Warmblood mare

The three combinations who will represent the U.S. in team competition will be determined after the completion of the Individual Tests on Friday, August 27. All nominations to the U.S. Paralympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

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