Rebecca Hart receiving 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship Award from Ann Romney. Photograph (c)Sue Stickle Photography at SusanJStickle.com
New York, NY – October 8, 2012 – On Wednesday October 10th, U.S. Paralympian Rebecca Hart of Unionville, Penn. will be showcased on ABC’s Good Morning America. Hart will accompany Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney in New York’s Times Square. Mrs. Romney and Rebecca Hart will be speaking about how horses have provided a unique form of therapy for them. Both equestrians will also touch on the 2012 London Paralympics and the equestrian sport. Mrs. Romney will be co-hosting the 8 a.m. (Eastern Time) news hour with George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday where she is filling in for Robin Roberts, who is on extended medical leave.
Rebecca Hart (USA) and Lord Ludger, owned by Jessica Ransehousen, photo (c)Lindsay McCall
Both Rebecca Hart and James Dwyer were recent competitors at the 2012 London Paralympics in Para-Dressage. Rebecca Hart earned a 4th in the team competition, 5th place in the freestyle, and 11th place in the individual test competition. Rebecca Hart was part of the seventh-place U.S. Paralympic Team featuring the late Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale, Donna Ponessa aboard Wes Dunham’s Western Rose, and Dale Dedrick on Bonifatius.
James Dwyer (IRL) and Orlando Photo (c)Lindsay McCall
James Dwyer was one of the four athletes representing the Bronze Medal Ireland team. Alongside James Dwyer and horse Orlando were Eilish Byrne aboard Youri, Geraldine Savage on Blues Tip Top Too, and Helen Kearney on Mister Cool.
As an elite equestrian and co-owner of 2012 U.S. Olympic Dressage horse Rafalca ridden by Jan Ebeling, Ann Romney can relate to Hart’s and Dwyer’s recent accomplishments and therapeutic use of riding. Ann Romney, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, is an advocate for Multiple Sclerosis. Mrs. Romney began riding as a form of therapy and found it to benefit her life in many ways. Hart and Mrs. Romney met in June 2012 where Hart was presented with the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship. “This whole year has been a whirlwind,” noted Hart. I met Mrs. Romney in June, rode down the Prime Meridian at the London Paralympics for my team in August, met the President of the United States in September, and now will be riding in Times Square. You don’t often get asked to ride in Times Square and I am very excited for this opportunity.”
The program is scheduled on ABC’s Good Morning America Wednesday October 10th at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time). Please check your local listings for your local ABC channel.
View the June 2012 press release about Ann Romney presenting Rebecca Hart her award by clicking this link.
For press related inquiries, comments or questions please e-mail Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org
