Ready for Rancho Murieta..

A month ago I was contacted by Hope Hand, the President of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association (http://uspea.org/). She asked about my interest in pursuing Para-Dressage at the national and international level. I was so grateful that she contacted me as she really opened up a number of opportunities that I didn't know were out there. Next week I will be driving up to Rancho Murieta to attend an international show that Hope told me about. There I will be meeting with a Classifier from Canada from the USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation https://www.usef.org/). She will determine my profile, grade, and equipment that can be used when I ride in officially recognized horse shows. I will also watch the show that my fellow para-dressage riders will be in and get to meet some of the people I have been speaking with. After the show, there is the USEF High Performance West Coast Para Equestrian Dressage Symposium. This 2.5 day Symposium will allow me to benefit from lectures and ride feedback by 5* FEI Para Equestrian Dressage Judge Carlos Lopes, supported by USEF Para Equestrian Dressage Chef d'Equipe Kai Handt. Topics include Para-Dressage theory, scales of training, quality of horse, freestyles, and preparation for international competition. Demonstrations on para-dressage test riding and freestyles will give attendees a deeper understanding of requirements and challenges that occur in international competitions such as the Paralympics and World Equestrian Games. I can't wait to see what I learn and meet all the other athletes!