Visually Impaired Para Dressage
Para Equestrian Athletes and L & L Equestrian ‘Spring Fling Schooling Dressage Show’
Visually impaired equestrians compete in the same dressage arena as the sighted Paras. Some techniques utilized to assist them in navigating the arena are “living letters” and “counting of strides”. With living letters, trained volunteers will call out “A,” “B,” or their assigned letter enabling the riders to visualize where they are in the arena through echo location. When utilizing stride counting, the partnership between horse and rider is paramount, as any deviation of rhythm and tempo can effect the striding and therefore the counting. The rider in this case would count and memorize the numerical stride amounts from one letter to another according to the pattern being ridden. A combination of both techniques is optimal for the success of accuracy.
Strategies for the Visually Impaired and Blind Rider Symposium, Carlisle Academy Maine
Michelle LaBarre
Visually Impaired
Para Athlete Grade V
Lilly Russo
Visually Impaired
Para Athlete Grade V
Jennifer Wu
Visually Impaired
Para Athlete
Marcia Springston’Dillon
Visually Impaired
Para Athlete Grade IV
Dr. Suzanne Ament
Visually Impaired
Para Athlete Grade IV
Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center’s Spring Fling Dressage Schooling Show May 22nd, 2021
I was honored to be a part of Suzanne Ament’s team! With only 2 practice rides on Dante’s Perfect Storm, a horse she had never ridden, she rode her FEI Intro Test A Grade II. The first test proved its challenges with 2 disqualifications but Suzanne regrouped, together we strategized and with Dante’s efforts she managed to position herself out of 54 other competitive scores with tough competition and early on in the show’s day as the LEAD SCORE of 77.50, to earn the Show’s High Score and overall Champion!
I had met Suzanne years prior and we had worked together at various USEF Para Dressage Coach Symposiums. Together we would always say, ‘we WILL spread awareness that riding is for all disabled individuals including the blind and visually impaired’ and then this happened! With a casual phone conversation that entailed a mention of me organizing a schooling dressage show, Suzanne got an idea!
She saw an opportunity to spread awareness that riding, whether competitive or recreational, is for everyone including those with vision impairments. With her intention to attend our ‘Spring Fling’ Schooling Dressage Show, Suzanne rallied with her Virginia Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club where she was given a monetary grant for her travel and an additional one for the support of the show.
She wanted to share her vision and became her own marketing agent by creating her GoFundMe Page.
GoFundMe link
View Spring Fling Show and Dr. Suzanne Ament VI
Para Class Video
Dr. Suzanne Ament at Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center at Caumsett State Park on the eve of her ride at the Center’s Spring Fling Schooling Dressage Show. She stands next to a banner for Dante’s Perfect Storm, a Gypsy Vanner who expertly carried Dr. Ament to capture the shows High Score Award. Dante is loved by the Panagi family.
Photo credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr.
