Participants will train with the Dutch FEI competitor, trainer, judge and musical freestyle specialist and will also be treated to lectures on musical freestyles, as well as Para-Equestrian sport from Hope Hand of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association  Clinic is open to horses and riders of all disciplines and ability levels in Lyman, Maine. 

LYMAN, Maine, September 28, 2009 - Paulien Alberts, a Dutch FEI competitor, trainer, judge and musical freestyle specialist, will be the featured clinician at a dressage, Para-Equestrian and musical freestyle clinic at Spring Creek Farm, 73 Drown Lane, October 23 to October 25, 2009. 

Organizers of the clinic are creating this opportunity to make the clinic accessible to all riders and horses from a variety of disciplines and ability levels: dressage riders; Para-Equestrians; people struggling to develop a good musical freestyle; event riders and jumpers looking to improve their dressage training; new riders; or those with green/young horses looking for a solid start with good information. Therapy horses, as well as scholarship assistance, are available to those in need. 

"This is a fantastic opportunity for both U.S. dressage and Para-Equestrian riders and competitors to get access to top world-class level instruction from a respected professional, as well as receive in-depth information about our growing sport and the wonderful opportunities that exist for riders with disabilities," Executive Director of the U.S. Para Equestrian Association Hope Hand said. "There literally is ‘something for everyone' at this clinic, which will make it a really fun clinic to watch." 

Alberts, a native of Emmen, Holland, is an active FEI trainer, competitor and judge in Holland and Germany, where she competes on horses she has trained herself up to the Grand Prix level. Over the years she has won numerous awards, including top placings at the Dutch National Championships. She currently competes on her horse "Lord Potter" at Prix St. Georges level and operates her training farm "Oude Meerdijk" in Emmen. Alberts has successfully crafted the musical freestyles of many European and American competitors in a variety of European championships including the recent FEI Para Equestrian 4**** Championship in Norway.   

Riding sessions will be complemented by evening lectures. On Friday night, Oct. 23, there will be a wine and cheese reception with a lecture from Hand on Para-Equestrian sport, including topics such as: what is Para-Equestrian sport; how to get started in this discipline; obtaining dispensation certificates; and an overview on adaptive equipment. On Saturday Alberts will lecture on developing musical freestyles. A Pennfield Equine Feed Technologies representative will also make a visit over the weekend to answer questions on equine nutrition, offering help on formulating a feed program for those that are interested. Pennfield has been the official horse feed of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) since 2008. In addition, Pamela Blades Eckelbarger of Hoof Pix Sport Horse Photography will be in attendance. 

"Clinics such as these are at the heart of our vision for an integrated equine experience, serving able-bodied and special needs riders alike on our farm," Sarah Armentrout, owner of Spring Creek Farm and Co-Founder and Executive Director of Equest Therapeutic Riding Center, said. "We are delighted to host this clinic and appreciate the quality education that Paulien Alberts will bring to New England."  

For more information on the Paulien Alberts Clinic please visit  www.springcreekmaine.com to download a flyer and application, or contact Mary Jordan, or by phone at 207-985-3999.                     

About Para-Equestrian Dressage:  Dressage competitions for riders with disabilities started in Scandinavia and in Great Britain in the 1970s. In 1987 the first dressage World Championship was held in Sweden, and became part in the Paralympic Games in 1996. In 1991, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) appointed IPEC (the International Paralympic Equestrian Committee) to run competitions and develop equestrian sport all over the world. This has been done very successfully, and by 2005 38 nations from five continents are competing and the number is growing. IPEC has now joined the FEI (Federation Equestrian International) as Para Equestrian, their 8th discipline, moving governance from a general sports organization (IPC) to one specializing in equestrian sport (FEI).  For more information please visit:  http://www.para-equestrian.info/, or  http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allpara.aspx.
For more information on the United States Para Equestrian Association (USPEA) please contact Hope Hand at:  (610) 368-1416 or at  [email protected].

About Spring Creek Farm: Spring Creek Farm, LLC is a horse and organic hay farm located in Lyman, Maine and is owned and operated by Sarah and Nick Armentrout. The farm offers horse boarding and riding instruction with a focus on dressage and eventing. Spring Creek Farm is also the home base for The Equest Therapeutic Riding Center, a 501(c) (3), which the Armentrouts founded in 1998. After a decade of growth and quality programs, Equest has emerged as a national leader in adaptive riding and driving services for children and adults with disabilities. For more information please visit www.springcreekmaine.com, or  www.equestmaine.org/.        

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.