(Paralympic Riders, Top left: Brita, on Carousel, Denmark; Top right: Doris Campo-Bitzer with Cory, Germany; Middle: Gerald Hoff on Scruples Pistol Pete, USA; Bottom right: Stefan Kleekamm on Cory, Germany; Bottom Left: Doris Campo-Bitzer on Cory, Germany.)
 
 
 
 

COMPETITION FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES

Therapeutic equestrian programs have proven to be very effective in rehabilitating all types of disabilities, from repairing neurological damage to building confidence and self-esteem.
 

Equestrian competition gives disabled individuals positive, attainable goals ... while allowing them to serve as role models to those struggling through therapy at home.
 

Riders need a competitive atmosphere where they are judged on their ability, not their disability. Important goals are conceived and met by training for a competition. The entire experience of training for, travelling to, and competing in a horse show is a learning experience and generally a very satisfying one.
 

Organizing a safe, quality horse show for riders with disabilities is a complex task. ACORD shows strive to emulate the able-bodied world, while making safety a first priority. ACORD is considered the umbrella organization for competition for riders with any disability in the United States. ACORD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Current Updates: Click here for up-to-the-minute news about ACORD

Click here for links to related organizations

Press Release:

"VARIETY SALUTE" Benefit & Dressage Clinic for Riders with Disabilities

DRESSAGE CLINIC AIDS PARALYMPIC HOPEFULS,  CHICAGO TRIBUNE Monday, May 1, 2000  

Event Announcements

2001 Fourth Annual Southeastern Nationals and Georgia Regional Show

2001 North American Young Riders Champioships

2001 NAYRC Selection process.

2001 2nd Annual ACORD Developing Riders Competition Camp

2001 Variety Salute Benefit & Clinic for Riders with Disabilities

Reports from Past events:

1995 Competition Training Camp for Elite Disabled Riders

1996 ACORD Long Island Invitational Dressage Clinic and Horse Show

1996 California State Championships and ACORD/USCPAA West Coast National Horse Show

1996 TEAM USA Training Clinic

1996 Paralympic Equestrian Games, Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA,

1997 ACORD Eastern National Horse Show in Georgia over Labor Day Weekend

1997 ACORD Regional Horse Show and PEL-State Games - Baton Rouge, LA

1998, at Gladstone, June 20: Riders with Disabilities at the USET "Challenge of Champions"

1998 Second Annual Southeastern Nationals and Georgia Regional Show

1999 Acord Gulf Coast Show a Pleasure

1999 ACORD Northern California Show a success in spite of the weather.

1999 Georgia National Horse Show a Real Winner

1999 Third Annual Southeastern Nationals and Georgia Regional Show

1999 Riders With Disabilities Shine at Bayer/USET Festival of Champions

2000 Team Challenge at the North American Young Riders' Championships

2000 ACORD Georgia Horse Show and developing Rider Competition Camp for Riders with Disabilities

2000 Riders with disabilities Special Guests at USDF Convention

For more information on competition for riders with disabilities, click below:

2001 Schedule of Competition Opportunities for People with Disabilities

SPUR Magazine article on Judy Serie Nagy and Karen Lang

Guidelines for Organizers of Horse Shows for Riders with Disabilities

Equestrian Update, ACORD Newsletter

Winter '99 Issue of Equestrian Update, ACORD newsletter

Spring '99 Issue of Equestrian Update, ACORD newsletter

Winter '99Issue of Equestrian Update, ACORD newsletter (Text only)

Feb 2000 Issue of Equestrian Update (Text only)

June 2000 Issue of Equestrian Update (Text Only)

Sept 2000 Issue of Equestrian Update (Text Only)

Jan 2001 Issue of Equestrian Update (Text Only)

Special Announcements

Press Release: Midlands Carousel, 2 Gold/1Silver medal Paralympic horse retires.

Carousel's Story

Paralympic Horse, Cory, on cover of Freedom Rider, Catalog for riders with disabilities.

Riders with disabilities featured in National Geographic Television Special

Event Volunteer Information

Job Descriptions for Volunteers and Key Event Staff

Guidelines for Volunteers

If you want to compete:

Horse Show Guidelines

Class List

Rider Etiquette

Rider Profile Form

Horse Profile Form

ACORD website is produced and maintained by Tim Shurtleff, who was a volunteer at the 1996 Paralympic Equestrian Games in Atlanta, GA as a groom for his mare, Cory (the chestnut mare in the pictures above). Tim is a CHA certified instructor and a NARHA registered instructor for people with disabilities. He also volunteers and develops adaptive tack and equipment for Therapeutic Horsemanship, in St Louis, MO. Having seen the many positive effects of riding for people with disabilities, he volunteers to produce this website in order to encourage more people to get involved. Click here to see Tim's Paralympic Equestian Games pictures and memories I

In his consulting practice, Tim works with organizations to help them to understand their marketplace issues and dilemmas, understand their real customers, develop clear focused business strategies with boundaries (know when to say no) and to help them to involve their people to redesign their organizations, develop teamwork and leadership to enact a new and better future for themselves. We especially work to help organizations to move beyond "Customer Driven Mediocrity". Click here to learn how to improve your Organization's Strategic Focus and Effectiveness