Para Clinic with Debbie McDonald

[Ellie&Werther]

I mentioned this on the para trainer thread, but I thought I would give this its own topic because we are close to fixing a date. My Mom and I won the PVDA Ride for Life auction of a clinic with Debbie McDonald. Because I have Cerebral Palsy and have been classified as Grade III, it is important to us to support the para community, so with the exception of one spot for my trainer we want the clinic to be comprised of para riders. You don't have to be para FEI level yet, just have completed the classification process and be currently competing. The date we have narrowed it down to is two day on a weekend at the end of may beginning of June. The clinic will be at our farm in Minnesota and free to riders, auditor fees will be donated to the United States Para Dressage Team. If you are a classified para rider, would you be interested in coming to Minnesota with your horse?

[kdow]

Do you mind saying which part of MN? (PM me if you prefer.) I have relatives in the twin cities and I think I may need to arrange a visit... (I'd just want to watch/audit, though, as I don't have my own horse and am not properly classified para. It just seems like an excellent chance to get some ideas to use as my arthritis progresses and I do start having more problems.)

ETA: If I can arrange to be there, I'd also be happy to volunteer if that was necessary. I haven't volunteered with any equestrian events specifically, but I have volunteered with triathlons and marathons and so on so I have some experience with volunteering at events with lots of folks involved. :)

[Ellie&Werther]

Do you mind saying which part of MN? (PM me if you prefer.) I have relatives in the twin cities and I think I may need to arrange a visit... (I'd just want to watch/audit, though, as I don't have my own horse and am not properly classified para. It just seems like an excellent chance to get some ideas to use as my arthritis progresses and I do start having more problems.)

ETA: If I can arrange to be there, I'd also be happy to volunteer if that was necessary. I haven't volunteered with any equestrian events specifically, but I have volunteered with triathlons and marathons and so on so I have some experience with volunteering at events with lots of folks involved. :)

PM sent.

[planetlisa]

Here's my situation. Have my own horse and am close so I could attend. :) Currently competing? Just schooling shows right now. I would need to classify within 6 months of the clinic - I have MS and Para Equestrian needs MS people to reclassify every 6 months.

Is there a possibility of meeting up with the classification person at your clinic and getting it then? I don't know if classification involves a ridden evaluation.

[whicker]

Hi Ellie,

Please tell me about the auditors part. I am no longer classified, but I still want to learn since I'm not able bodied, either. I will need a dispensation to compete with the able bodied world.