Mill Spring, N.C. — The U.S. Para Dressage Team wrapped up a productive weekend at the Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI3*, with personal bests and consistent performances across the board as the program builds momentum ahead of the FEI Para Dressage World Championships. The team finished the weekend with a final total score of 442.099.
"This weekend was a really encouraging sign for the program," said Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor, Michel Assouline. "Marie [Vonderheyden] showed great results this week; Kate [Shoemaker] was very consistent across all three days, and we were all proud of Sienna [Busking] to already be hovering around the 70 percent mark at just her second CPEDI3*. It's definitely an upward trend for all of them, and we are very, very optimistic."
Competition opened Friday with the FEI Para Grand Prix A Test, where Vonderheyden (Wellington, Fla.) and Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fürstanball OLD x Weltmeyer) owned by Karin Flint, set the tone with a personal best score of 77.847%, a result underscoring the pair's growing partnership and momentum. Shoemaker (Wellington, Fla.) and her own 2011 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Ghandi (Bojengel x Beaudea), added a 73.611%, while Busking (Owasso, Okla.) and Damons Davian, her own 2011 Westphalian gelding (Damon Hill x Nobile), posted a personal best of 71.666% in just their second appearance at the CPEDI3* level. Roxanne Trunnell (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Furstenson MR, a 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Fürstanball OLD x La Cara), owned by Carol Day, rounded out the team score with a 66.875%.
The team returned Saturday for the FEI Para Grand Prix B Test, where the strong results continued. Shoemaker turned in another polished test, earning a 73.919% that reflected the pair's evolving throughness and self-carriage. Busking and Damons Davian continued to impress at the three-star level, posting a personal best of 70.889% and further establishing themselves as a combination to watch. Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H added a 74.167%, while Trunnell and Furstenson MR posted a 67.153%.
The weekend closed Sunday with the FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle, where Shoemaker and Ghandi concluded their weekend on a high note, topping the podium with a commanding 78.092%, a performance which showcased the pair's potential. Busking and Damons Davian capped an impressive personal best weekend with a 74.078%, Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H scored 69.311%, and Trunnell and Furstenson MR closed out the weekend with a 66.634%.
The U.S. Para Dressage Team will next head to the Covalliero Dressage Days Hagen CPEDI3* from July 1-5, 2026, in Hagen, Germany, the second observation event for the FEI Para Dressage World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
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