Wellington, Fla. – The U.S. Para Dressage Team delivered an impressive weekend at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival CPEDI3*, highlighted by record-breaking performances, a personal best score, and multiple podium finishes from U.S. combinations.
“Three world records from Fiona Howard and a personal best from Marie Vonderheyden in one show is a dream for any sport team,” said Michel Assouline, Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor of the U.S. Para Dressage Team, “It was also an excellent result for the team overall, with an impressive average score of 74.370%, especially considering that not all of our athletes were able to compete at this CPEDI in Wellington. We are still two years out from the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, so this gives us valuable time to test new partnerships and continue strengthening the future of the program.”
The successful weekend in Wellington demonstrated the strength and depth of the U.S. Para Dressage program as the team continues preparations for the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships later this year.
Leading the charge was 2024 Paris Paralympic Grade II individual and team medalist Fiona Howard (Wellington, Fla.), who made a debut with Vianne, a 2016 Hanoverian mare (Vitalis x Ramiro’s Bube) owned by U.S. Para Dressage teammate, Kate Shoemaker. Competing together for the first time, Howard and Vianne delivered a historic performance, breaking Howard’s own FEI Grade II world record three times over the course of the weekend.
The pair capped off their dominant showing with a winning FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle Grade II performance that earned an 84.934%, setting a new world record score and showcasing the exciting potential.
In the Grade I division, Marie Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fürstenball x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint, also produced a standout weekend. The pair achieved what was a new personal best score of 74.931% earlier in the competition in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test B Grade I and went on to beat their own score to secure the FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle Grade I victory with a new personal best of 78.489%, marking a significant milestone for the partnership.
Two-time Paralympian Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) delivered consistent performances with Rumour Has It, a 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Romancero H x Inkka) owned by Simone van der Schalk. The pair finished third in the Grade I Freestyle with a 70.845% and earned other podium finishes earlier in the competition in FEI Para Grand Prix Tests A and B.
Kate Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.), competing as both athlete and owner, also piloted Supreme, her own 2016 Westphalian gelding (Sezuan x Deja Vu), to victory in the Grade IV Freestyle with a score of 71.475%, continuing to build momentum for the partnership on the international stage.
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The USEF International High-Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.