Jonathan Wentz: Olympic Para-Olympian Passes away

Jonathan Wentz had recently competed at the 2012 Para-Olympics and placed fourth in the individual competition in dressage and was the highest placing rider from the United States in both the Para-Olympic games and the Olympic games.

Jonathan at the 2012 Olympics, his dream come true.

Jonathan was born with Cerebral Palsy and started riding as therapy at age five. After he got better at riding, he started to focus on Dressage and wanted to become competitive. His goal was always to ride at the 2012 Para-Olympic games. He had a very successful career, qualifying for USDF Region 9 Championships his first year, and the next year won a top placing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian games. In 2012 he placed second at the Para Olympic selection trials which earned him his spot to achieve his dream and compete in the Olympics in London, saying it was "a dream come true".

As well as going to the Olympics Wentz was also a strong advocate for Para Olympic dressage and hippo-therapy and was always involved wherever he could be. Members of USEF say they miss Jonathan's "big smile and great personality". Jonathan passed away at the young age of 21 after returning from the Para Olympics.