The Paralympic Journey Begins for Robin Brueckmann
A First Person Report of CAN 7 Qualifier
edited for Dressage un Ltd by Heather Burke

Meet Robin Brueckmann

The Second Paralympic [Equestrian] Games, for adults with physical disabilities, are in Sydney, Australia, October, 2000. The games are governed by the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC), a division of the International Olympic Committee. IPEC has its own dressage tests, six for each of four levels of disability. Grade I athletes are the most severely disabled and Grade IV are the least. Medical personnel trained in IPEC guidelines grade participants; once graded, riding skills determine the results of the tests. Another major difference from USDF/AHSA competitions is that the riders must compete on borrowed horses. The riders have only a week to work with their new partners before the competition begins.

Robin Brueckmann was an experienced judge, trainer, and Grand Prix rider known for her bridleless dressage demos with Bordeaux a.k.a. David (When Two Are One), before becoming disabled. Robin and her friend, Kebbie Cannon, both Grade IV riders, traveled from their North Carolina homes to St. Louis, Missouri for the first USCPAA sanctioned qualifier. Robin was paired up with Harpoon, a 23 year old T-bred and retired event horse. Harpoon just returned from field rest for an injured knee – shaggy and shedding, with a ragged tail and overgrown mane! A big challenge right from the start. First time up, Robin found him stiff and expressing his opinion by flipping his head and grabbing the reins. Throughout the week Robin developed a relationship with Harpoon, and although he was inconsistent in staying in front of her leg and had a sketchy medium trot, she felt they could get through the tests in good enough form.

Kebbie was assigned Accolade, the horse that Robin rode last year. Schoena Townsend, the third Grade IV rider, was assigned Primo, a confident and willing gray gelding. Tests for the Grade IV riders are similar to the USDF/AHSA Second and Third Level tests, with half passes, shoulder-in, and simple changes. One test even includes a flying change!

Lynn Seideman and Fiona Larson are classified as Grade I riders and are required to perform walk-trot [or walk only] tests, including medium trot. Fiona is a walk only rider and chooses that option on the Grade I tests. There were three Grade II riders - Vickie Garner-Sweigart from Pennsylvania, a paraplegic who earned 2 Gold Medals in the 1996 Paralympics held in Atlanta; Sally King from Georgia, also a paraplegic; and Deb Lewin from Texas. Mary Green, from Michigan, was the only Grade III rider, paired with a lovely Connemara cross.

Throughout the days of preparation, the weather was uncooperative – bone chilling and wind driven rain did not make the work easier for these brave and dedicated riders. On Saturday, the first show day, the weather continued with penetrating cold drizzle and intermittent harder showers. Management moved the mounting ramp from the barn to the arena areas, too far to wheel or walk comfortably. Spectating was almost impossible for many competitors. There were three shows taking place simultaneously: a two-day schooling show, mostly Intro through Second Level, occuping two rings: a Therapeutic Horsemanship show with 75 participants of all levels of skills and disabilities, with some riders requiring a leader and two sidewalkers; others able to ride independently in equitation, trail and games classes; and last but not least were the nine riders competing for selection in the Paralympic Games in Sydney. The atmosphere was chaotic, with two small dressage arenas, an equitation ring, a trail ring and warm-up space. There were the usual Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Arabs and Quarter horses intermingled with Saddlebreds, Belgians, ponies and one lone dun mule.

Robin’s first ride was the last of the day, and by then the sun was showing it’s watery face. The only ride for Robin so far during this whole episode when it wasn’t raining! The nine competitors for the Paralympics endured the same gamut of experiences that all dressage riders do: not enough warm-up time, horse with a hollow and stiff back, another unwilling to move in front of the rider’s leg and of course, rain slick tack. The results for the day were impressive! Robin managed a first place in Grade IV with a 59.43%, and Mary, classed as a Grade II but choosing to ride a Grade III test, managed a 62.86%! Vickie, riding a Grade II test achieved the highest score for the day, a 67.50%. What fantastic spirit these competitors have! The Show Secretary pointed out that there were 30 scratches for the open dressage riders, only two for the more than 60 Therapeutic Horsemanship program riders, and none for the 9 IPEC competitors.

Perhaps to reward these riders, the weatherman brought sun and warmer temps for Sunday. However, for many, the penalties of the previous days’ exposure were evident – sore and aching muscles, stiff and unwilling to stretch and relax. Out with the ibuprofen! The rides on the second day of showing were better – the horses more forward and the warm sun improving the spirits of the riders. A mishap with the judging required the qualifying riders to repeat their Championship tests. Repeating the tests was tough on both horses and riders, tired and low on energy by the end of the second day of showing. In spite of this, the show ended with the freestyles, a treat for both riders and their mounts. A much greater challenge for these competitors – as their music and programs must be adapted over only a few days to a horse they’ve not ridden before. Robin achieved 63% and Kebbie 61% for their Kurs!

Kebbie returned home knowing that she’d had a valuable experience, as evident with her horse staying softer and rounder. She knows she has acquired new skills!

Robin also had a worthwhile experience, and after returning home to her own horses and bed, is looking forward to the next qualifying show and a chance to improve her scores – just like the rest of us competitors!