Lexington, Ky. - The US Equestrian Federation (USEF), in conjunction with United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA), is pleased to announce that Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Loxahatchee, Fla., has been named to the growing list of USEF/USPEA National Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence (COE). The USEF Selection Committee upheld the highest standards upon recommending facilities as COEs and carefully reviewed their application. “Vinceremos is honored to...

Photo courtesy of DeeAnna Wright, Healing Strides of VA Lexington, Ky. - The US Equestrian Federation (USEF), in conjunction with United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA), are excited to announce that Healing Strides of VA in Boones Mill, Va. and Wheatland Farm Equestrian Center in Purcellville, Va., have been named USEF/USPEA National Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence (COE). The USEF Selection Committee carefully scrutinized each application and upheld the highest...

Lexington, Ky . – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce its partnership with the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) to establish International Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence (COE). COEs will serve as the foundation to attract new athletes to para-equestrian dressage and develop athletes and coaches for competition at the international level, including the Paralympic Games. There are many excellent centers around the U.S. that...

Derrick Perkins Wins the 2014 AQHA World Championship Show Para-Reining Demonstration. (Larri Jo Starkey) Oklahoma City, Okla. - Para-reining returned November 15 to the 2014 AQHA World Championship Show as a demonstration sport. Six high-level para-dressage riders changed saddles and took a spin on American Quarter Horses in the Jim Norick Coliseum at Oklahoma State Fair Park. Along with a standing ovation from the crowd of reining enthusiasts in Oklahoma City, U.S. Air Force veteran Derrick...

Sandringham, England - The U.S. Para-Driving Team prepares for the 2014 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships beginning June 27. The three team members including Diane Kastama, Virginia Fitch, and Vietnam Veteran Bob Giles are currently in training for the week at at the de Ronde's establishment in the Netherlands. The team members, alternates, and individual competitor Mary Gray have been on the grounds during the week prepping and supporting the team before competition. The 2014...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Federation (USEF) has named Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. The Search Committee, chaired by Eric Straus, USEF Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee, and USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Kai Handt (USEF Archive) Committee recommended Handt for this position. Handt (Wylie, Texas) has a great depth of experience in the equestrian world as a competitor, trainer, and coach. Since August of 1985, Handt...

U.S. Air Force veteran Derrick Perkins and Gallo del Poco Tivio, owned by Luke and Caleb Kelley competing in the Para-Reining competition at the 2013 AQHA World Championship Show (Lindsay Y. McCall) Oklahoma City, Okla. - November 17, 2013- The 2013 American Quarter Horse (AQHA) World Championship Show featured 3,401 entries, a total purse more than $2.4 million, riders from 49 states and 7 countries, and the best Reiners in the business. From November 8-23, equestrians competed in halter,...

Oklahoma City, Okla. – A new discipline will be on display at the 2013 AQHA World Championship Show: para-reining. USA Reining and the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) announced last month that along with the help of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), reining would be introduced as a discipline for para-equestrian athletes. With the aim of making para-reining a fully recognized sport in 2014, a clinic and...

Para-equestrian drivers and their supporters enjoyed some time off and toured the Hague on Monday. They got an up-close look at Queen Beatrix's Golden Coach Breda, The Netherlands - International para-equestrian drivers are in Breda, The Netherlands right now ready to compete at the 2012 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles. The first vet check took place Wednesday and the three horses that will be driven by Americans passed with ease. Athletes schooled in dressage today...

As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30-September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands. The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of...