U.S. Para Dressage Team Finishes Second at Covalliero Dressage Days CPEDI3*

©Dirk Ruechel

The U.S. Para Dressage Team started their European competition season with a podium finish at The Covalliero Dressage Days CPEDI3* hosted in Hagen, Germany, from June 5-8, 2025. The team consisted of Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes, Cynthia Screnci and For Memory 4, and Kate Shoemaker aboard Vianne, and was led by Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline.

“Both Fiona and Kate have maintained their top form, proving they can sustain high percentages in the Grand Prix A and B, in the very competitive environment of Hagen,” said U.S. Para Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline. “Cynthia delivered remarkably well in her first European international with the relatively young horse For Memory 4. The icing on the cake was when Kate scored a personal best score of above 81% in the freestyle with Vianne. Needless to say, they all went home feeling good about the week.”

Deadline to Apply for 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions Approaching

©SusanJStickle

The 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions will be held at HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. from August 18-24, 2025. The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions showcases the top athletes and horses in 17 divisions which includes the USEF Para Dressage National Championships. The deadline to apply is fast approaching. Applications will be accepted through 11:59pm, ET on June 17, 2025. Applications will NOT be accepted after June 17, 2025. 

Para Dressage Rider Symposium with Shayna Simon

Carlisle Academy in Lyman, Maine

July 19-20, 2025

Applications close July 1, 2025

Para Dressage Rider Symposium with Michel Assouline

USET Headquarters in Gladstone, N.J.

August 16, 2025

Applications close August 1, 2025

Para Dressage Rider Symposium with Lisa Hellmer

Maryland Therapeutic Riding Center in Crownsville, Md.

September 3-4, 2025

Applications close August 20, 2025

How to Apply as an Athlete:

Apply online via your USEF Athlete Dashboard at athletes.usef.org under Athlete Apps > Para Equestrian 2025 > Symposium Application.

2025 Para Dressage Competitions

Festival of Champions / Para Dressage National Championships

HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center, Wayne, Ill.

August 18-24

Tryon Fall Dressage CPEDI

Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, N.C.

October 23-26

Desert Dressage

Desert International Horse Park, Thermal, Calif.

November 13-16

Keep up with USA Para Dressage on Facebook and US Equestrian on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

The USEF International High Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.