U.S. Para Dressage Athletes Participate in Retreat

Elite / Pre-Elite Para Dressage athletes, Beatrice deLavalette, Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard, Kate Shoemaker, Roxanne Trunnell, Cynthia Screnci and Marie Vonderheyden participated in a USEF funded Retreat which took place over two days in the newly built Overmountain Lodge & Conference Center at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. The initial two days were in one of the Lodge’s conference rooms, followed by a couple of days of one-to-one meetings - on site and remotely.

“We had a few incredible days in Tryon for the Elite Para Dressage Team retreat," said Vonderheyden. "It was two and a half intense days filled with inspiring conversations, self-discovery, and genuine team connection. We worked on high performance, but also on something deeper; learning how to move from me to we, to understand our strengths and how they complement one another. Through personality tests and practical tools, each of us learned more about ourselves and how to build a stronger, united team. This experience will stay with us for months and years to come; because even in an individual sport, you never truly succeed alone.

Thank you to the whole team for these amazing moments together “

The Retreat was run by David Faulkner and Dr. Erica Force (see bios below). It included a series of presentations and inter-active workshops. All of its core was characterized by the DISC model (the original DISC model, is based on the work of William Moulton Marston) as well as an exploration of Behavioural and Emotional Intelligence, with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue), an assessment that measures how individuals perceive their own emotional intelligence (Self-Awareness/ People Acuity/ Agility/ Self-Management).

David Faulkner

David was an Olympic Gold medalist with Team GB Field Hockey at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His career in leadership was elevated to impressive heights by taking on the challenge of Performance Director of Team GB’s Field Hockey teams, culminating in a coveted Bronze.

Dr. Erica Force

Dr. Erica Force is the lead Psychological Services provider at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. She is a licensed psychologist and certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC). 

USEF Para Dressage Coach Certificate Program

The USEF Para-Dressage Coach Certificate Program covers the principles of Para-Dressage coaching including guided improvement processes, personal conduct, and technical skill acquisition towards an effective development of coaching activities. It develops the coach’s ability to prepare athletes from grassroots education to international competitions, along a continuum of progressive certificate levels. With the goal of coach development, the program uses lecture time as well as simulated lessons, where coaches are given information and feedback on their teaching, knowledge, and overall performance. Candidates need to employ advanced communication skills, including feedback and evaluation, and learn to adjust to athletes’ and coaches’ varied abilities and personality traits.

USEF Congratulates the following for completing the USEF Para Dressage Coach Certificate Program at Wheatland Farm, Leesburg, VA, a USEF Para Dressage Center of Excellence, April 25-27,  2025.

2025 Para Dressage Symposium

USEF would like to thank the following USEF Para Dressage Centers of Excellence for hosting a Para Dressage symposium in 2025.

Effective December 1, 2025, the USEF will prohibit saddle attachments with a rigid, upward-pointing projection, which includes "peacock" style stirrups, due to safety concerns about them catching a rider's clothing or person while dismounting. The new rule aims to prevent injuries that can result from this type of equipment, and stirrups must now have either closed branches or a gaped branch that sits inside the plane of the stirrup. (There is an exception for athletes who have this stirrup listed on their USEF Classification / Dispensation Certificate).

More information can be found here.

Updated 2026 Para Dressage Calendar can be found here.

2026 Para Dressage World Championships

Selection criteria for the 2026 Para Dressage World Championships can be found here.

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.