2024 Paris Paralympics: USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne 5th in Para Dressage Grade IV

Team USA Para Equestrians Finish Strong at World Championships

The 2024 Paris Paralympics are just around the corner, and the USA’s Para Equestrians are already making their mark. At the recent World Championships in Herning, Denmark, Kate Shoemaker and her horse Vianne finished 5th in Para Dressage Grade IV, a remarkable achievement for the pair.

Shoemaker, a 32-year-old from California, has been riding since she was a child. She began competing in Para Dressage in 2016, and has since risen to the top of the sport. Vianne, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, is Shoemaker’s partner in competition and training.

What is Para Dressage?

Para Dressage is a Paralympic equestrian sport that is open to riders with physical impairments. Riders compete in one of five grades, depending on the severity of their impairment. Grade IV is for riders with moderate impairments, such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida.

In Para Dressage, riders are judged on their ability to control their horse and perform a series of movements, including circles, serpentine patterns, and changes of direction. The goal is to demonstrate harmony and precision between the rider and horse.

Shoemaker and Vianne’s Performance at the World Championships

At the World Championships, Shoemaker and Vianne competed against a field of the world’s best Para Dressage riders. The pair finished 5th in the Grade IV individual competition, with a score of 72.643%. This was the highest finish for a USA rider in the Grade IV competition at the World Championships since 2014.

In addition to their 5th place finish in the individual competition, Shoemaker and Vianne also helped the USA team to a 6th place finish in the Grade IV team competition. This was the first time that the USA team had finished in the top 10 in the Grade IV team competition at the World Championships.

What’s Next for Shoemaker and Vianne?

Shoemaker and Vianne will now turn their attention to the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The pair will be among the favorites to medal in the Grade IV individual competition. They will also be part of the USA team that will compete in the Grade IV team competition.

The 2024 Paris Paralympics will be held from August 28th to September 8th. Shoemaker and Vianne will be competing on September 1st and 2nd. Their performances at the Paralympics will be a highlight of the Games and will inspire many other athletes with disabilities.