WELLS — Resident equestrian Mary Jordan and her horse Rubicon 75 were recently named to the Federation Equestre International Long List of nominated athletes and horses for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. While a USA team was named, long-listed athletes are eligible to compete as alternates if the need arises. Jordan also won the U.S. National Para Dressage Grade 4 Championship title for the fourth time at the U.S. Selection Trial and National Championship in Grass Lake, Michigan, in June competing on Rubicon 75.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will open on Sept. 7, highlighting the high-performance sport for athletes with physical disabilities. Para-Equestrian Dressage is set to celebrate 20 years in the paralympic Movement and Jordan has competed in the sport since 2009. A total of 78 para-equestrian dressage athletes will compete for 11 sets of medals across four days of competition. The para-dressage competition will take place Sept. 12-16 at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center in Brazil.

Jordan, a national multiple sclerosis advocate, is the third person in her family with MS. She lives, works, trains full-time and raises a family in southern Maine. As an international equestrian, she represented Team USA at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky on a horse born in her lap in Sanford; was Team USA alternate for both the 2012 London Paralympic Games and the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France; and recently was named on the Long List for Rio aboard her horse Rubicon 75, known as “Ruby,” a 2005 chestnut Oldenburg gelding. She has competed for the USA in Australia, Belgium, and Norway and across the United States. In 2015, she was named to the Kirkland Sports Hall of Fame.

To be eligible to compete in this year’s selection trial, Jordan drove Ruby extensively to qualifying competitions and training sessions solo in Houston, Florida, Ohio and Michigan. She currently trains with George and Noel Williams of Williams Dressage.

“I wish my teammates the very best in Rio and to have safe and successful experiences.” Jordan said. “It has been a honor and a joy to be among the Top 10 in our wonderful country riding Ruby. We tried very hard and I am grateful to my family, friends, co-workers and supporters who helped make this happen and feel very blessed we came so far,”

Jordan, who raises awareness about MS and para athletics, was recently featured on ESPN-W sharing her experience and journey with her sport and MS. She is looking forward to the future and will continue to train and compete with eyes on the World Equestrian Games in Bromont, Canada in 2017.

“I ride for a reason, to be a living example of what a person with MS can achieve in this day and age. I wish to instill hope in others and to let people know that they are not defined by their disease, nor disabilities.” Jordan said. “It is so important to do what you love and love what you do and celebrate what you can achieve every day.”

For More information, visit www.maryfrommaine.com, or on Facebook Mary From Maine International Equestrian.