WindReach founder Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell is putting the final touches to his preparations for FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games-Para Dressage in Kentucky where he will compete against some of the best riders in the world.

The Para Dressage discipline will provide riders with physical disabilities the opportunity to compete alongside able-bodied riders at the top level.

It will be the first time in the history of equestrian sport that Para Dressage will be included at the Games.

Mitchell, 66, is no stranger to competing on the international stage. He is a veteran of the 2000, 2004, 2008 Paralympics and several world competitions.

A solid performance at the Games, held from September 25 until October 10, could also qualify him for the 2012 London games. Supporting Mitchell in Kentucky will be teenage rider Ashlee Brady-Kelly, who competed in the WindReach International Para Dressage in Ashburn, Ontario, Canada last weekend.

The event was an official qualifier for the 2010 World Equestrian Games and drew top Para Dressage competitors from around the world.

Riders from Australia, Bermuda, Ireland, Japan, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Mexico and the United States competed, and were joined by a team of elite Para-equestrian athletes from across Canada.

During the competition Ashlee rode a total of three dressage tests including one freestyle to music.

Although Ashlee did not make the qualifying scores for the Games, she gained valuable experience against some of top riders.

Also competing at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky will be Bermuda show jumper Patrick Nisbett.

He recently announced that he would take his horse Cantaro to the States rather than the more experienced Antille 8 which has suffered a slight injury.

Nisbett is getting a huge helping hand from highly respected coach and world renowned course designer Olaf Petersen as he prepares for the World Equestrian Games.

Throughout this month Petersen has organised a training camp in Mitwitz in Bavaria, building the same kind of course that the rider will face at the Worlds Equestrian Games.

Although Nisbett is the first Bermudian show jumper to take part in the Games, several other Bermudians have ridden at the same prestigious event, including Peter Gray, Mary Jane Tumbridge, Tim Collins, Gary Roque and Suzy Dunkley.