Kingston, RI—April 26, 2004—The National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) has announced that the dressage selection procedures for this summer’s Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, are now available by visiting the NDSA Equestrian website at www.ndsaequestrian.org.

The selection trial will take place during Good Horseman’s Dressage in the Horse Park at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA, May 1-2, and will determine the Short List of riders for the Paralympic Games. The competition will also serve as the 2004 NDSA Championship.

Riders competing in the trial will participate in an Individual Championship, Musical Freestyle and Team Test. All classes will be conducted under International Paralympic Equestrian Committee rules in which riders are judged according to able-bodied rules, but allowances are made for compensating aids. For example, special reins that can be held in one hand would not be penalized.

Prior to May 23, riders named to the Short List must compete in one additional event which will serve as their final qualifier for the Paralympic Dressage Team. The Team will comprise a four-member team with two alternates and will be named based on a combination of performance scores and subjective nomination.

The International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC) is the international governing body for equestrian sports for riders with disabilities. It is responsible for international rules, sanctioning of international competitions, and for Paralympic Games and World Championships. For more information about the IPEC, please visit their website at www.ipec-athletes.de or contact IPEC Chairman Mrs. Jonquil Solt by email at jonquil@solt.demon.co.uk.

The National Disability Sports Alliance is the national governing body for equestrian sport for riders with disabilities. The non-profit organization is responsible for the development and selection of riders for national championships and international competitions, including World Championships and the Paralympic Games, and provides training, competition and advocacy for riders of all levels with physical disabilities.

For more information about the NDSA, including complete Paralympic Games selection procedures, please visit the NDSA website at www.ndsaequestrian.org or contact Denise Avolio at (914) 949-8166 or diavolio@ndsaonline.org.

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