56 SIDELINES JANUARY 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Jonathan Wentz Leaves Lasting
Impact on the Equestrian World
By Lindsay McCall
O
nly 15 days after the 2012 London Paralympics,
the passing of United States Para-Equestrian
Team member Jonathan Wentz of Richardson,
Texas was announced. The 21-year-old Southern
Methodist University student was named the top performing
United States Equestrian in 2012 among the Olympians
and Paralympians. He also completed his most successful
show season of his career.
Jonathan had his future in front of him, a brand new dressage
horse for the 2014 World Equestrian Games and he was preparing
for his fnal year as an undergraduate with desires to attend law
school. During his short life Jonathan aimed for the sky, set goals
and was more successful at his young age than equestrians twice
his age. Jonathan made not only an impact in life but his impact
on the para-dressage sport, young equestrians and the disabled
community will remain forever.
Jonathan’s love of horses was frst revealed at the age of two
when he began using horses as a form of physical therapy for
Cerebral Palsy. At age 12, his desire to excel in the equestrian
sport combined with a discovery of the Paralympics led him to
competitive dressage. Jonathan often noted he enjoyed the fact
of being just another equestrian when on a horse. “When I am
walking with my own feet people can tell I move differently; but
when I am on a horse I am just another rider.”
As a teenage equestrian Jonathan devoted his time to competing
in and promoting para-equestrian dressage. Although the sport
had been in the Paralympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games, it
e
Para-Equestrian Tribute
Continued on page 58
Jonathan Wentz
wins the 2011
Dressage Affaire
CPEDI3* in Del
Mar, California.
President of the
United States
Para-Equestrian
Association Hope
Hand (sitting),
sponsor and
trainer Kai Handt
(standing) were
also a part of the
medal ceremony.
Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale win the 2012 Para-
Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Gladstone,
New Jersey. Jonathan and NTEC Richter Scale were the
reigning champions in 2011.
All photos by Lindsay McCall