19.05.12
Victoria, Australia - Multiple storm delays with tornado type winds, lightening, torrential rain and flooding at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, outside Melbourne did not deter Team USA from completing three out of four Individual Test rides with top results. “These Para riders are tough,” commented Hope Hand, President of the USPEA.org , who along with Chef Missy Ransenhousen and USEF Director Pam Lane helped coordinate this long distance success story for Team USA to clinch another gold medal catch-riding, this time against forty Para Dressage riders with Australia claiming silver, New Zealand bronze, and Japan placing fourth. Donna Ponessa, Grade Ia, swept her division all three days, as did Grade II rider Erin Alberda from Woodinville, WA, who scored a 71.5 on her freestyle. Becca Hart of Unionville, PA also topped both her Grade II classes.
Due to the extreme weather, Hart rode her Individual Test on the last day indoors in lieu of her freestyle. Mary Jordan of Wells, ME took second out of 14 entries in all three Grade IV tests, finishing just behind reigning Australian champion Hannah Dodd of New South Wales.
Source: DressageDaily