British Para Show Jumping Association a newly formed organization for Physically Disabled riders and Visually Impaired Riders

The show was preceded by our last general meeting of the year, here all of the current committee members resigned and new members were voted in or re elected. No nominations were received by post and all nominations were taken from the floor that night.

A good meeting pursued and we were able to make some clearer decisions about the future of the BPSJA and what directions riders want it to go. A full report will be available in the first quarterly magazine of 2009.

The meeting concluded with a Christmas Meal and celebration, the meal was excellent considering we held it up for over an hour to finish our General meeting.

BPSJA Members  Sky Dive

When talking to people about Para Show Jumping, we always get someone say 'you parachute in the arena!' Well this gave m the idea of doing a parachute jump to raise funds, and raise awareness of the BPSJA. The riders are Alison Betteley, Rachel Maddocks, Emily Lawes and Chairman of BPSJA Andy Lawes. Due to low cloud all day the jump was  postponed.

Click Here or the Photo to see our video

Should you wish to sponsor BPSJA please send donations to Andy at the address on the contacts page.

Click here for Information

Anne McGuire MP, Minister for Disabled People (Department of Work and Pensions), has been invited while Judy Woolfenden MBE will be in attendance...............

Jayant Mistry, one of Britain’s best Paralympic tennis players and ambassador for the 2012 London Olympic Games, will present the What Sport Did For Me seminar. Following Team GB’s historic performance at the Beijing Paralympic Games, the show is working with the British Paralympic Association to provide enABLE 08 visitors with information on how to get involved in sport.

As will The British Para Show Jumping Association, showing how British Para Equestrian Riders dominate the sport abroad when funding allows riders to participate at the moment.

For the latest show news, full round up of what is happening at enABLE 08 and all the latest information about visiting the show click here to view all the up to date news. www.enableshow.co.uk

This turned out to be a worth while exercise for interest created, possible new members and companies interested in sponsoring us.

BPSJA Promotional Video

FEI Para Equestrian

JUMPING FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES.

The Para Equestrian Committee of the FEI are working to introduce PE Jumping and a meeting has been held recently to discuss the rules, classification and other issues. The classification system is now being drawn up, and we have the support of the BSJA who are working on the Rules. It is hoped that initially in the UK Para Equestrian riders will be able to compete in BSJA classes as well as their own.

Before riders can compete they have to be classified. This is a functional classification carried out by PE accredited classifiers. Having been classified, the riders are given a functional profile number and a Grade. Skill is not part of the classification system; it is calculated solely on functional ability/disability.

Looking at other countries we found that this sport is practiced in several nations led by France, who hold regular competitions with up to 20 riders taking part. Their International Championship for riders with disabilities is held during the FEI World Cup Series in Bordeaux. In 2005 it was won by a British Rider, Yvonne Holloway. Three British Riders will be going to the Competition in Bordeaux this year.

The aim of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee is that sometime in the future Para Equestrian Jumping will become a Paralympic Sport. For this to be considered by the International Paralympic Committee, at least 24 nations from 3 continents have to ‘widely practice’ the sport.

The BPSJA is organising Shows and actively looking for Centres to hold competitions for these riders.

The BPSJA would like to hear from  British riders who want to be considered for this sport, and from people who could offer  help or expertise in helping this organisation flourish. Please contact Andy Lawes chairman@bpsja.co.uk

Tony Bott is the FEI Para Equestrian Committee's  Liaison Officer, and is responsible for liaising with Organisers of Overseas International Competitions with regards to dates and rules. He will welcome hearing from organisers, and his Email is tonybott42 @ hotmail.com.

Results

All five riders are placed on one of the days at Chevillon. Jose Letartre Handisport rider for France comes equal first in the Puissance @ 1.75M.

Results Here

Results

A fantastic Show with four nations taking part, great sportsmanship was shown by the riders of all classes, classification of our riders gives us our first two SJ Grade I riders.

Results here

Chevillon 2008

Five riders have been chosen to go to Chevillon France this year, heading the team this year as Team Captain is Emily Lawes, who won her class here last year.

Also competing  are Karen Bostock who was placed third last year at Chevillon, Alison Betteley who came fifth in Bordeaux this year, Ben Carr (part of our Junior team) who won both his classes at Chateau Bleu Paris, and finally Rachel Maddox, who is making her debut appearance. This year Andy is Team Manager. 

Click here for results and pictures.

What is Classification? parashowjumping

Classification provides a structure for Para Equestrian competition be it jumping, dressage or driving  and a framework for fair competition. It is an integral aspect of sport in the Paralympic Movement. The Classification system for Para Equestrian forms part of the sport rules.

Pictures from the show

UK Friendly International to be held on 15th, 16th & 17th August (New shedule)

The UK's only International for invited physically disabled and Visually Impaired  people to be held at Woodredon Equestrian Centre a riding centre just off J26 of M25 in the middle of Epping Forrest. (Click here for all the latest Information and entry form)

Our venue has had to be changed, It is sad that we will not be Jumping at David Broomes Ground but in other ways it will be better for most riders. We will now be jumping on a all weather surface, if it rains we have an indoor arena, those hiring horses  will have a large variety of horses to choose from and will be assessed by the yard manager to fit horse to rider.

A Large number of entries are Entries are already in for what is going to be a great Para Show jumping Event of 2008. Held over three days 15th -17th August. It promises to be the most exciting Para show on the UK calendar. Already with four nations booked! Riders from France, Canada, Ireland and the UK. Click the link above for more details and schedule. Check out the riders attending

Woodredon EC Invites BPSJA to perform demonstration at National Riding Festival

The Petplan Equine National Riding Festival 2008 plans to encourage more people horse riding; whether they are new to the sport or simply have not ridden for a while. Members of BPSJA have been Invited to perform a Jumping Demonstration at Woodredon EC on 20th July and are looking for a maximum of six riders to take part. Contact andy@bpsja.co.uk

Woodredon EC is located just off J26 of the M25 and has been chosen as a training camp for 2012 London Olympics Tel: Paula 019927143112

BSJA - Area 42 Incorporates Para Show Jumping Classes

Saturday June 28th, BSJA Area 42 Show is incorporating Para Show Jumping for the first time, the show will be held at Wiltshire College - Lackham, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire. Link to website http://www.bsja-area42.co.uk .

There will be Para sections in classes 1, 2 and 5. Rosettes sponsored by Annie Bevins Vet and prizes in kind sponsored by White Hall Garden Centre, Henry Cole Ltd Feed Merchants and Pointings Saddlery.

parashowjumping

British Para Show Jumpers Excel at Chateau Bleu May 2008

2 British Para Show Jumpers, Ben Carr and Justine Bowers have the ride of there lives at Chateau Bleu, France (click to see riders)

Ben and Justine Ride high at Chateau Bleu, Ben came first and Justine third on both days, Excellent results for Brits; at the end of the two day competition both riders had excellent placings, Benn Car riding a French hired horse Goldo came first, and Justine on Hyper came 3rd, Andy Lawes (team Manager) said  "what makes these results even more remarkable is Ben and Justine are both on there debut outing riding as Individuals for GBR."

British Para Show Jumpers ride at Bordeaux 2008

4 British Para Show Jumpers, Louise Hacker, Emily Lawes, Toby Bevins and Alison Betteley ride in Bordeaux France on 1^st & 2^nd February 2008 (click to see riders)

Excellent results for Brits; at the end of the two day competition three of our four riders had excellent placings, Emily Lawes riding a French hired horse Hyper came second, Louise on her own horse Enricho III came 3rd, and Alison on her debut appearance came 5th. Unfortunately Toby was poorly.

BPSJA Promotional Video

FEI Para Equestrian

JUMPING FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES.

The Para Equestrian Committee of the FEI are working to introduce PE Jumping and a meeting has been held recently to discuss the rules, classification and other issues. The classification system is now being drawn up, and we have the support of the BSJA who are working on the Rules. It is hoped that initially in the UK Para Equestrian riders will be able to compete in BSJA classes as well as their own.

Before riders can compete they have to be classified. This is a functional classification carried out by PE accredited classifiers. Having been classified, the riders are given a functional profile number and a Grade. Skill is not part of the classification system; it is calculated solely on functional ability/disability.

Looking at other countries we found that this sport is practiced in several nations led by France, who hold regular competitions with up to 20 riders taking part. Their International Championship for riders with disabilities is held during the FEI World Cup Series in Bordeaux. In 2005 it was won by a British Rider, Yvonne Holloway. Three British Riders will be going to the Competition in Bordeaux this year.

The aim of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee is that sometime in the future Para Equestrian Jumping will become a Paralympic Sport. For this to be considered by the International Paralympic Committee, at least 24 nations from 3 continents have to ‘widely practice’ the sport.

We are now looking for Shows and Centres to hold competitions for these riders, and we are working with the BSJA to arrange that Para Equestrian riders can compete in BSJA classes.

The BPSJA would like to hear from  British riders who want to be considered for this sport, and from people who could offer  help or expertise in helping this organisation flourish. Please contact Andy Lawes chairman@bpsja.co.uk

Tony Bott is the FEI Para Equestrian Committee's Para Equestrian Jumping Liaison Officer, and is responsible for liaising with Organisers of Overseas International Competitions with regards to dates and rules. He will welcome hearing from organisers, and his Email is tonybott42 @ hotmail.com.