Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2007
I would like to thank all my, friends, supporters and sponsors who have helped me in any way during 2006. This has been a great year for me, and the move to join Para Equestrian Ireland has been a very positive one.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all, and best wishes for a successful year in 2007 - World Championship year!
Para Equestrian Calendar of Events 2007
The FEI Provisional Para Equestrian Calendar 2007 has been updated on the FEI website. It lists international events planned for the 2007 season.
There are currently 5 events which I believe count as Paralympic qualifiers (CPEDI4*) and these are:
May 13.05.2007 - 17.05.2007 Leesburg USA
May 31.05.2007 - 03.06.2007 Kreuttal AUT
June 15.06.2007 - 17.06.2007 Kristiansand NOR
July 16.07.2007 - 22.07.2007 Hartpury GBR
October 08.10.2007 - 13.10.2007 Werribee/Victoria AUS
I have already achieved my Paralympic qualification certificate at Moorsele, but I hope to attend the World Championshps in Hartpury, and at least one other Qualifier event during 2007 to improve on my score. In order to be eligible for selection for the 2008 Paralympics, riders must achieve over 60% at a Paralympic qualifying competition.
BEF announces Para Dressage Start & Potential Squads for 2007-2009
The British Equestrian Federation has announced the names of riders selected for the 2007-2009 Para Dressage World Class Start and Potential programme, following the selection trials that took place in November.
The funding structure for the selected riders is a tiered system incorporating Gold, Silver and Bronze levels within the Start and the Potential programmes. Some pony riders have been selected onto a 'Pre-Start' programme, although they do not receive any funding, they will be invited to attend a couple of squad sessions.
The British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Start & Potential programme is for riders between the ages of 14 and 30 (or older for Para Dressage) who are expected to progress to World Class performance level to ride and win at Paralympic level in future.
The World Class Start and Potential programmes are Lottery funded through UK Sport.
Para Dressage Squads 2007-2009
Start Squad
W C Silver Level
Alex McNamara (Lincs)
Erin Orford (Bucks) - New squad member
Natalie Povey (Wrexham) - New squad member
W C Bronze Level
Daniel Manning (Oxon)
Potential Squad
W C Gold Level
Denise Shawns (West Lothian) - New squad member
WC Silver Level
Emma Sheardown (Lincs)
Sophie Wells (Nottinghamshire)
Emma Kent (Kent)
Natasha Baker (Middlesex)
David Herron (Northumberland) - New squad member
WC Bronze Level
Felicity Coulthard (Lancashire)
Pre- Start
Anna Gill
Stephen Wagland
The Chief Selectors were Stefan Keisewetter and Alison Mastin.
It is good to see a few new additions to the squads. Rory Williams and Toby Pawson are no longer squad members, and Liz Stone retired from international competition in the summer.