I arrived as a kid to Idlewild Farm, owned by the Zang family and home of the U.S. Dressage Team Coach, Colonel Bengt Ljungquist.  Linda reminded me of other young ladies in the Equestrian community - ambitious, hard-working and focused on her career while living under the same roof with her parents.  Linda went on to make a World Championship Team with her horse, Fellow Traveler, as well as become one of the most influential judges in the world.  But the truth is that Linda’s real happiness began when she met and fell in love with Jim Lewis.  Jim was always charming and interesting to talk to.  He had a love for horse racing but what I admired more was that he was constantly finding new ways to be creative, whether delving into politics or acting.  I could so relate to Jim’s desire to reinvent and find new and fun ways to express himself.  But equally important was that Jim was thrilled to accompany Linda around the world as her “First Man” while she officiated at the top international Dressage competitions and championships.  Best of all, it was obvious that Jim was Linda’s greatest fan and best friend.

When I heard the news, I called Linda immediately and she sent me a reply thanking me and saying, “It will be hard without my friend and love!”  My heart goes out to Linda and Jim’s family and I hope we all remind her how much we love her and that we truly are her “family of friends” and here for her, always!

RD

I’ll admit it - I get bored easily.  As much as I love horses and Dressage, it has been many years since I woke up and thought, “I can’t wait to get to the barn”.  Now, I greatly appreciate everything that the horse world has done for me and when I am teaching I click into the mode in which I can’t help but give 150% to the rider or horse I am working with.  But the feeling of being creative in new and different ways is extremely important for me and I find the minute I complete something, whether it is finishing a horse to Grand Prix, producing a reality show for TV, or doing a radio show, while fulfilling, still makes me yearn for something more.

This is why I love blogging here at Dover’s World and hope that you will keep communicating your thoughts and feelings with me just as I do to you about everything “horsey” and everything else!  I keep asking you to post here rather than on Facebook because it is easier to maintain a dialogue in one place rather than two. I hope that works for you as well.

Cheers!

RD

The last week has been amazing since President Obama came out in support for Gay Marriage.  The news headlines continue to talk about this issue over others, including the economy, and today the President will be attending a fundraiser hosted by Ricky Martin.  I wonder what he’ll talk about?  On the other hand, Mitt Romney addressed the graduating class of Jerry Falwell’s, “Liberty College”, in which he stated his opinion again that “marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman”.  He has said he would seek a federal amendment to enforce this opinion and also to disallow both gay marriage and domestic partnerships which will affect thousands of straight couples as well.

So here’s the thing.  If we look at this issue correctly, it is one of civil and equal rights, something guaranteed in our constitution for ALL Americans and fought for in the past successfully by women and blacks at an enormous expense!  Our nation was founded with the notion of separation of church and state as paramount and yet when asked why those who are against Gay Marriage feel this way, they overwhelmingly begin by saying, ” Because in the Bible ………”.  They never, when pressed, have a rational reason based on facts of any kind  that would support their decisions.  There is no doubt that Mitt Romney is echoing the opinion of his far right constituency in order to ensure the support from his base.  But he of all people know that allowing Gays to marry would not result in the immediate implosion of America anymore than it caused the demise of Massachusetts, at that time he was the Governor of this, one of the very few states with legalized Gay Marriage.  As a matter of fact, Mr. Romney once went so far as saying he would be stronger in advocating for Gay Rights than Senator Edward Kennedy.  In 1994, Romney declared himself a fiscal conservative but a social progressive.  He was trying to get elected in a liberal state back then and now is pandering to the right wing and the Tea Party members of the Republican Party. I was interviewed the other day by the New York Times and told the reporter that, having met and talked directly with Mitt and Ann Romney, I found both very nice and that it would be hard for me to believe that either would tell me directly they would wish to deny me the same rights they enjoy as American citizens.  Of course, we spoke mostly about horses but I assure you, if the moment ever presents itself again, I will most definitely ask him if he really does not believe I should be able to even enjoy domestic partnership with my life partner of 24 years, Robert Ross. I also know that the amazing Alfred Fiandaca, the famous openly gay designer who has made clothes for Ann Romney and has been a personal  friend for many years, gave me the impression that Ann is not in the least bit bigoted against gays.  I would tend to believe the same for Mr. Romney.

Funny that this once was THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY, lead by Abraham Lincoln, who stood up against slavery and the same southern states which now make up the largest swath of the so-called “conservative Christian right”. And what part of being a “good Christian” goes along with discriminating against Gays to the point of saying we are an abomination?  Of course, there are those who say they believe in the literal translation of the Bible.  But if this means EVERY SINGLE LINE of it, I would ask if they are still for “stoning women to death for adultery” as well as multitudes of other laws which, I’m sure, seemed practical at the time when the Bible was written.  No, Gay Marriage is an issue in which those against it have formed opinions based on the exact same kind of bigotry and hatred as we have thankfully evolved beyond as a nation in the case of other minorities.  If you are a straight person and I ask you directly, “What do you believe will be the impact on you and your family if Gays are allowed to marry?”, how will you answer?  Will denying people like me equal rights which you now enjoy make your life better?  Exactly what will you gain by keeping me a second class citizen?  Truly, these were the same questions asked by blacks only 50 years ago. To think it was against the law for a white person to marry a black person.  I am still ashamed when I read books like, “The Help” and was so proud when we elected our first African American President!

I want to praise again our President, Vice-President and many other leaders including Governor Purdue of North Carolina who spoke against the obvious backward thinking of her own citizens who voted to ban Gay Marriage.  She compared her state to Mississippi and received rebuke from Mississippi’s governor who claimed that the people of her state must “share the traditi0nal values” of his state.  I never knew that denying equal rights to all Americans was a “traditional value”!  We obviously need to create NEW AND BETTER TRADITIONS!

Cheers!

RD

I want to wish Moms everywhere a wonderful Mother’s Day full of joy, the gratefulness of their children, and LOVE!  My Mom was told she had three months to live ELEVEN years ago and I can tell you that I dearly appreciate every single day of every single year that we still have her in our lives.  And now she is living with my sister, Margo,  who, herself, is a great mother to her two grown and fantastic daughters. My brother’s wife, Lynn, is also a super Mom to her brilliant son, Shane. My mother-in-law, Julie, has become more dear to me with every one of the 24 years her son and I have been together.   Then their are my “second Moms”: Mercedes, Mary Ellen,  and A.R. and F.B. in heaven, and many more,  all of whom I send my loving thoughts today and every day.  All of these great ladies have shaped and enhanced my life through their loving example and I am so glad there is a special day every year when I am reminded of how much they all mean to me and to take the opportunity to tell them, once again, that I LOVE THEM ALL!

Cheers!

RD

Whether in the world of sports, specifically Dressage although certainly throughout all of them, or in the larger WORLD, there always seems to be great forces for positive evolution simultaneously moving us forward while the bureaucracies in place supposedly to govern them are either preventing that forward motion or even attempting to force us to take steps backward.  I am certain that we will see the very highest level of Dressage sport ever in this year’s Olympic Games, but I also am so dismayed by the totally ridiculous rules in place for the composition of the Teams, the ongoing problems with the veterinary inspections, and the varying standards applied by the FEI to the equestrian disciplines and their stakeholder clubs.  I feel certain  that more and stronger input from the stakeholders which in turn is respected and listened to by the FEI could create a far more harmonious result for everyone involved in the sport.  Of course, if the world were to ever act in such a way, we might even see the end of war, conflict, poverty, disease, climate change and a host of other problems we face.  Sadly, in both the Equestrian world and the “Real World”, it is the almighty $ that rules - sometimes with great wisdom and benevolence and sometimes with a desire for power and greed.  Sadly, such is life as we know it.  We can and must keep speaking up for change and hope that our voices are finally heard, loud and clear!

Cheers!

RD

I love sparring with the very intelligent Kim, one of my readers, when it comes to politics.  She is amazingly well-read, articulate and passionate even though I disagree with practically everything she says on the issues.  But this is why I still, after all the years of blogging on Dover’s World, I still get my creative juices flowing from writing on topics which interest me.  In one of my recent posts titled, “Thank You, President Obama!”, I have received many very positive responses both at my site and my facebook page, but Kim, as always, has made her comeback with her normal, incredulous fervor.  I suggest you read, enjoy, and comment on the issue as well if you would like, and I am placing my latest response to Kim below as I feel it is worthy of standing alone as a new post.

“Ah,then I take it, Kim, that you are for Gay Marriage, which leads me to my next question. Will you, therefore, vote for President Obama who seeks to promote its legalization or Romney who is committed to amend our constitution to create a Federal Ban on not only Gay Marriage but also Domestic Partnership? Whether you like him or not, it is clear that Obama is at least evolving in the direction of you, me, and most Americans, while Romney is not only devolving but actually revolving around in circles on so many issues it is quite impossible to be clear on who he is or exactly what the Truth is regarding his stances on a vast number of issues. And, Kim, this I say as someone who has met and spoken with Mr. Romney a number of times during my trips to California to train Jan Ebeling on his and his wife’s horses. He is a nice enough guy but I certainly cannot say he is genuine, considering all that niceness would not help me when he would attempt to discriminate against my lifestyle at his first opportunity to do so.

The President, whether you think it brave or not, is the FIRST ever to support Gay Marriage and full equality for ALL Americans. It is in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln who fought the injustice of black slavery, stating the words, “I hate it because it deprives us our republican (in a time when Republicans were the liberal and progressive party)example of its just influence in the world! Enables the enemies of free institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites!” Lincoln’s beautiful words are the perfect mantra in the fight for all civil and human rights here at home and around the world.”

Cheers!

RD

Courtney King-Dye is on her journey toward the Para-Olympics in London this summer!  What is even more fantastic is she is posting her journal for those of us interested in supporting her efforts and truly being a part of her dream along the way.  In case you haven’t already joined the group sponsoring Courtney’s “Road to the Games”, below is her message to me from the other day explaining how.

Cheers!

RD

“Anyone who donates to my para equestrian fund receives my journals. Just memo checks “Courtney’s para fund” and send to:
Law Office of Elizabeth Clarke
Equine Business Institute
P.O. Box 286
South Deerfield, MA 01373
with the email address!
Thanks for helping!!”

Courtney

“

Today has been monumental in the evolution of America with the statement by President Obama in which he now supports Gay Marriage.  I believe that he showed incredible bravery and honor in taking this stance which most definitely could have negative political implications.  It is also a testament to the fact that more Americans feel equal rights includes our right to love, regardless of our sexual orientation.  Amazing!  Considering at the very same time as our President is attempting to move our nation toward greater equality, states like North Carolina are voting to only allow marriage between a man and a woman, it is clear that the religious right will continue to do what they can to prevent Gays from enjoying the same rights as heterosexuals.  I  call Florida my home and am ashamed that it is one of those states absolutely against my right to marry Robert Ross, even after our 25 years of being together.  I wish the residents of states like Florida, North Carolina and Nevada would take a look at those states like Iowa, New York  and Massachusetts and recognize that legalizing Gay Marriage did not result in the immediate demise of those states.  On the contrary, they are thriving and not one person has lost anything by those like me being allowed to marry the person we love.  We have always been here: teachers, first responders, military men and women, and yes, Olympians, doing our part to be productive citizens of the greatest country in the world.  But equal rights means that all Americans must be treated equally under the law, so our choice is clear. we either evolve like our President has or devolve by electing Mitt Romney, who would not only seek to ban Gay Marriage but would disallow domestic partnership rights and even attempt to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.  I hope you will consider all this and remember the millions of people like me who are living in long-term, committed relationships, many of whom have children.  All we want is the right to live, love and enjoy the same rights as every American.  I hope you agree!

Cheers!

RD

I leave this afternoon for Toronto to conduct a clinic at the farm of David Marcus on Monday and Tuesday.  He and other riders are trying to earn spots on the Canadian Olympic Team and their next major competition is May 17-20 in Burlington, Ontario.  For information on clinics held at David’s stables, please contact him at 905-510-3034.   I’ll also be attending that show so if you are reading this, planning on competing there, and would like my help, please contact David or Megan Lane (705-888-7514) right away.

Cheers!

RD

Isn’t it funny how your perspective on things can change so drastically because of little inconveniences.  At the moment, due to the fire which burned most of the harbor bars, restaurants and shops in Fire Island Pines as well as it being so early in the season, I have learned that living out here can be quite challenging for the “cooking impaired” like myself.  OK, if I am absolutely forced to, I can throw something easy together - like cereal or a salad, but actually starting something from scratch and preparing a meal that wouldn’t kill me off is something else.  That’s why Robert and I surround ourselves with friends who can and really like to cook.  Of course, we would be their friend even if they couldn’t do miracles in the kitchen, but it’s like my mother always said, “It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one”.  Taking that, therefore, a step further, I would say that it is just as easy to have best friends who can cook up a storm as having ones which cut themselves slicing bread like me.  This evening, we’ll be taking the water taxi to the next town, Cherry Grove, for dinner as I’m pretty sure at least 2 restaurants are open there.  I’m also quite confident I’ll know the menus as well as the first names of the staff of all the establishments in the Grove by a week from now.  Go ahead and say it - I’m pathetic! LOL!

Cheers!

RD