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Who is the
USCPAA?
USCPAA, which stands for the United States
Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association, represents the interests of a total of twelve sports
for athletes with disabilities. For each of these sports, USCPAA is the National Governing
Body (NGB) for individuals who have cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries or have had a
stroke. For equestrian, we are the NGB for persons of all physical disabilities. As the
NGB, we are responsible for the conduct and administration of these sports in the United
States; we disseminate safety and sports medicine information, select athletes to
represent the U.S. in international competition and
are responsible for communication with the international governing bodies in sports for
the disabled. USCPAA also conducts the national championships for all our sports with the
exception of equestrian (which currently doesn't hold one, but is looking to develop one
in the near future).
USCPAA is also recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as one of seven
DSOs, Disabled Sports Organizers. This means the we are responsible to the USOC for all
international communications, selection criteria development and implementation for our
international teams, and we receive financial support from them for administration of our
sports programs.
In addition to its relationship with the USOC, USCPAA equestrian also has working
relationships with ACORD and CAN, who are also devoted to equestrian sports for athletes
with disabilities. Many of the equestrian committee members of USCPAA are also actively
involved with these two organizations and many past and future events are coordinated in
conjunction with one or both of them.
However the responsibilities and missions of each of our organizations are different.
Whereas ACORD and CAN's missions are primarily providing competition of all types for
athletes of all levels and disabilities and education, USCPAA's main role is to develop
selection criteria of international teams, regulate sanctioned events and manage the
selection process of elite athletes for international competition. We also play a large
part in grass roots development of athletes and others interested in competition on an
elite level by funding and helping manage training clinics for not only athletes but other
professionals interested in the sport as well, such as judges, classifiers, technical
delegates, coaches and organizers. This was done in 1998, by our funding of (along with
the USOC) and assisted management of the Athlete Development Clinics and
Judge/Classification Forums that were held as part of three of our sanctioned shows.
USCPAA doesn't host or manage shows per se, but sanctions certain classes at shows that
are required in order to meet selection criteria for athletes trying out for international
teams. Sanctioning means that USCPAA sets forth the criteria an event must follow for its
dressage classes in order for riders to use the scores for qualifying. This criteria
includes providing for borrowed horses, what dressage tests are to be offered, judges and
officials to be used, and what specific rules must be followed by riders and organizers.
USCPAA sanctioning refers only to the qualifying dressage tests at each event, not any of
the other classes. Those classes, such as equitation, obstacle or futures, follow the
rules set forth by the individual event's management and organizers and are not required
to follow USCPAA sanctioning requirements, although many do.
The interests of equestrian are managed for USCPAA by its Sports Technical Officers, Lisa
Gatti and newly appointed Denise Avolio, and overseen by the USCPAA Program Director Kim
Kelly, who also liasons with USCPAA's Executive Director Jerry McCole and its board, as
well as the USOC. An equestrian advisory committee, made up of organizers, athletes and
others from our riding community, provide input in the creation and revision of selection
criteria, sanctioning requirements and other USCPAA equestrian policies and activities.
In other important news, the team to represent us at the World Dressage Championships in
Denmark this upcoming July has been selected. Our nominated riders are Lynn Seidemann from
Texas, Hope Hand of Pennsylvania, Judy Nichols from California and Robin Brueckmann of
North Carolina. Alternates are Marcia Springston from West Virginia, Kathy Whelan of New
Jersey and Alie Mann from Pennsylvania. There were many excellent riders who applied for a
place on the team and we are honored to have this group to represent our country in
Denmark. Congratulations to all that not only made the team but all of those who worked so
hard to meet the selection requirements. You are all to be commended on your dedication
and skills.
For questions or more information on USCPAA you may contact any of the following:
Lisa Gatti - Sports Technical Officer
2246 Willoughby Avenue
Seaford, NY
(516) 427-6105
Denise Avolio - Sports Technical Officer
115 Franklin Avenue
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914) 949-8166
e-mail: avolio@cyburban.com
Kim Kelly - USCPAA Program Director
USCPAA
25 West Independence Way
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-7465
e-mail: uscpaa@mail.bbsnet.com
Contact us: Email: Kyrabeth@dressageunltd.com
Fax: 918-234-1047
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Box DUL, 1000 N. Lynn Lane Road
Catoosa, OK 74015-2611
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