PrintThe Horse Radio Network and the United States Para Equestrian Association are hosting the first ever Para-Webathon tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT). The purpose is to raise money and awareness for the U.S. Para-Equestrian athletes aiming to compete in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
This is the first WEG offering Para-Equestrian competition. Unfortunately, the Para teams do not have the resources or sponsors that the other disciplines enjoy. Most of the competitors will have to raise their own funds to attend the WEG this year. This can amount to up to $20,000 per competitor for U.S. riders. All donations raised during the Para-Webathon will be used to offset the costs of the 10 U.S. Para-Athletes and their horses.
Check back on www.chronofhorse.com at 7 p.m. for this live video event.
In this monthly series leading up to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in September and October, we watch a different competitor each month prepare for competition.
Rebecca Hart knows exactly where she wants to be at the conclusion of the para-equestrian competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games—on a podium.
“My goal is to go in there and get a medal. I’m completely looking forward to the WEG. I want to go out there and show them what we’ve got,” Hart said.
Hart was so close to a medal she could taste it at the 2008 Para-Olympic Games in Hong Kong, finishing fourth in the individual freestyle. So, this fall she wants to seal the deal. The U.S. riders will face a competitive British team, which earned team gold in 2008.
“They’re top dog right now, so we’re going to have to work hard to catch them. But I love a challenge like that,” Hart said. “I’ve got two horses, and I think they both have the necessary skills to get there and the talent to do that. My goal is definitely to represent our country well and bring home a medal.”
The 2010 WEG was always a goal for Hart, who has three National Para-Dressage Championships titles and two Para-Equestrian World Championship appearances in her résumé.
“While we were preparing for the ’08 Games, we had the WEG also in our sights,” she said. “I wanted to do both of them. My horse is getting older, and I thought it would be a really good opportunity to represent our country at the World Games in our own country.”
Hart, 25, is in the perfect place to devote herself to the quest. She graduated from Penn State University in May and has postponed her full-time job search until after the WEG so she can concentrate on preparations.
“I did a business degree specialized in international business and forensic accounting. Right now, I’m leaning toward a government position, possibly in the IRS as a revenue officer. But I didn’t want the stress of starting a new job while I was trying to get to the WEG,” she said.
“Now that school is done, I can focus on the horses. I also work at a Starbucks in Kennett Square, Pa., and that works perfectly because I can fill my addiction to my chai tea lattes, and I also get the early morning shift, so I can be done by 10 and come out to the farm after work and ride,” Hart said.
She’s ideally positioned, as well, since she lives on USEF para-equestrian coach Missy Ransehousen’s Blue Hill Farm in Unionville, Pa., and is a working student there. She’s ridden with Ransehousen for seven years.
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