Robert Dover wants to help me with a fundraiser for the non-profit I lead in Austin TX, Skillpoint Alliance for which I couldn’t be more grateful or more excited. We would share the proceeds from the event with the Equestrian Aid Foundation.So, I’m basically asking you to be my focus group and let me know what you think of my idea so far, okay? Remember I’m not a good writer so if I confuse you just ask me all the questions you want.

Please start out by taking a moment to check outwww.skillpointalliance.org it’s an easy way to see the amazing work my team does in Austin without me writing a 5 page Mom’s Corner. What I love most about Skillpoint is that for 19 years we’ve never waivered in our commitment to serve those most in need, Title 1 schools which house our a- risk and low income kids, and adults who are often referred to as “hard to employ” code for on assistance, transitioning veterans, former offenders, homeless, unemployed and underemployed those among us often forgotten or passed over. I say in front of anyone, anywhere, anytime that Skillpoint’s program’s fromYouth STEM initiatives to Adult Workforce training are unparalleled in our city, region and state. (after you’ve checked out our site if you think that your city, country, state could use similar programs feel free to contact me about that as well, we are ready to scale our programs wherever the need exists).

As for the EAF part of this event; for many years I harbored the idea that we could actually launch the Ride for Hope (RFH). I pictured a website with an avatar of a horse and rider that moved along a route across America driven by donations to EAF. Each donation moves the horse and rider, give more go farther. During the one year long RFH, RD and lots of other equestrians from all disciplines could do live events in cities on the virtual route. Austin will be a pilot to test the entire format whichwould be the same in each city, a ride that includes topequestrians, rescue horses, special needs riders, Pony Clubbers, and any and all other local stars from the worlds of politics, education, the arts, industry and willing to saddle up for a couple of hours and take a short local Ride for Hope. We’d like to see each location finish off with a big party celebrating this amazing effort and using all the regular fundraising tactics we’re all well aware of to make an event worthwhile.

In Austin, unless you all just hate the whole idea, I’m planning to do a weekend Robert Dover Clinic as part of the fundraising. If you’re reading this and you live near Austin would you load up your horse and come to do a clinic with RD? Would you come just to audit? Would you come just to party? Would you saddle up to participate in the RFH alongside RD or another equestrian favorite in your neck of the woods? Would you be interested in organizing the RFH in your town?

I sure ask a lot of questions, but it’s the only way to learn. I hope this piece finds you well, I know you all share my sadness at the recent events in Boston and West and are praying for the continued recovery of all of those hurt and affected by either of those terrible events. Until next time, please take good care of yourselves and each other.

Mom’s kid, Margo

Judge Approves the Global Dressage Complex Permit

Wellington, FL - April 28, 2013 - On April 26, 2013, Administrative Law Judge Gary Early issued an Order finding, among other things, that the Global Dressage Complex (”GDC”) has met, and in some cases, exceeded applicable South Florida Water Management District (”SFWMD”) permitting regulations.

Judge Early found that the evidence presented at Trial demonstrated that the GDC project proposal provided reasonable assurances that all applicable SFWMD stormwater management, water quality, and Best Management Practices (”BMP”) standards were met.

Charles and Kimberly Jacobs (the “Jacobs”) filed a legal challenge to the issuance of the GDC Permit. The Jacobs claimed that the GDC facilities were inadequate to accommodate the number of horses expected to use the facilities. Judge Early ruled that the Jacobs “…provided no basis for the supposition other than speculation.” The Judge found that the GDC’s horse-washing facilities were more than adequate. Moreover, the Judge concluded that the GDC’s BMP Plan was “…more advanced than the minimum requirements of the Village of Wellington, and more stringent than BMPs approved for other equestrian facilities in Wellington.”

“This ruling is a huge step forward in ensuring that the Global Dressage Complex is a worldwide, premier equestrian event venue,” stated Mark Bellissimo. “The Global Dressage Complex events bring thousands of visitors and event participants to the Village of Wellington each year and create significant benefits for the Village and the Palm Beach County economy.”

CONTACT:
John Fumero, Esquire: 561-315-4595

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Equestrian Sport Productions
info@equestriansport.com
561.793.5867
561.753.0394
www.equestriansport.com

My great friend, Ron Davis, has just come off the Palm Beach Film Festival showing of his HBO Documentary, “Miss You Can Do It” with race reviews and is working hard on his next project about the great horse, Snowman. Naturally, he has to travel a lot and as anyone knows about me, I have “bad flying Karma”! Well, Ron seems to be following in my footsteps as the last big trip with his dogs entailed a huge fight with a woman who wanted him and his dogs removed from the plane and included some very bad name calling, mostly by the lady.
So here’s the thing. It happened again today. Not the dog thing but… well, let me let Ron tell the story himself, as it’s much funnier in his words!

Cheers!

RD

I had another altercation on a plane today and it didn’t end with the words “fudge-packer” being spewed at me like the last time. That must mean my communication skills are improving! So this is what happened…

All was normal as we boarded an end-of-season flight from West Palm Beach to New York City. Dozens of “grey-hairs” were storming the gate with their walkers and canes in much the same manner that Middle America storms Wallmart for their midnight sales on Thanksgiving. I’ve grown accustomed to the West Palm flyers, so I scurried to my exit row window seat and plopped my headphones on quickly so that I could tune it all out. Some time later and quite routinely, the flight attendant announced that the door had closed and that all electronic devices needed to be shut down. As always, I powered down all of my devices and sat with a big smile on my face and in my heart patiently awaiting our departure.

As we were receiving our “exit row passenger instructions” from the flight attendant, I noticed that there was a disheveled looking woman in her mid-sixties sitting next to me. She was obsessively playing solitaire on her iPad and ignoring the instructions to shut down (probably and indication of her solitary existence—sorry that was bitchy of me). So, being the kind Samaritan that I am, I gently excused myself and interrupted her game. With a warm smile and sparkly blue eyes, I reminded her that the door was closed, the plane was moving and that she needed to power down her electronic device. I delivered the information as warmly as a summer sermon. Did she thank me? No, not with words per se, but I felt the love (most people have trouble expressing gratitude and I am acutely sensitive to that). She closed the cover on her iPad (which revealed a sticker that said, “It is my God-given right to bear arms”) and then she looked straight ahead in silence. Once again, I gently excused myself and reminded her “the device must be powered down completely for take-off”.

I know what you are thinking. I was too. She was probably so grateful that I had shared my insider airliner safety knowledge that we would be fast friends. I fantasized that we would be playing doubles Solitaire right after we reached 10,000 feet and electronic devices were permitted. As I prepared for her most gracious thank you and probably ten minutes of small talk about where we both lived, our favorite restaurants, etc., she cocked her head down towards me just enough to look up over the top of her CVS reading glasses (which she chewed on the ends), but not enough that the fried blonde 1980’s inspired bangs blocked her field of site. Her tiny chapped lips (with a questionable cold-sore) pursed up as if she was about to spit nails and she said to me, “it ain’t never going to happen!”

It was in that moment that I though to myself, “oh dear…you’ve been down this road before on an airplace” . Once again I was confronted by a crazy retched woman in a sweat-pants suite sitting in the seat next to me (why are retched people always wearing sweat suites?) She had the mouth of drunken trucker and no ascertainable level of class or decorum. My experience told me that this was a situation that needed back-up, so I pushed the overhead call button!

When the flight attendant arrived, I apprised them of the airline security breach. They instructed the woman to power down her device and the shrew pretended to do so. She may have fooled the flight attendants, but this was not my first day at the electronic device rodeo. I can spot an airline infraction ten rows out. So once again, I called in for back-up. I informed the flight attendants that the woman was lying and that her device was still in the “on” position and may in fact kill us all during takeoff. The woman finally obliged the flight attendants requests and powered down her device.

As I thought, the flight attendants were very grateful that I had saved the flight from sure doom. Although they didn’t show it outwardly, I could feel the love and appreciation. I thought they might thank me on the intercom or offer me a free sandwich box, but they did not. They probably didn’t want to make the other passenger feel bad about themselves for not confronting danger the way that I did.

I think we can both agree that the skies are safer with a passenger like me flying them…

Ron

More great news from U.S. riders again today as Steffen Peters placed 2nd once again in Hagen riding his Legolas 92 in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Their whopping score of 79.45 will most certainly go even higher as this pair get more experience together!

Also exciting news is the purchase of the super-star German horse, Rassolini, for Olympian, Jan Ebeling! Congratulations to Jan, Amy, Beth and Ann. I can’t wait to see this combination show along with all our other great American combinations heading to Europe to compete this summer and fall in preparation for Normandy!

Go Team USA!

RD

Our star rider, Steffen Peters, and his up-and-coming horse, Legolas 92, did it again with a whopping 74.5% and second place at the Hagen CDI 3* today. We should all be very excited and proud as this begins our American push towards the medal podium in Normandy next year. Congratulations to Steffen, Akiko and Team Peters on a great class and all the best of luck tomorrow again! We’ll be looking for another great finish!

Go Team USA!!!

Cheers!

RD

I am honored to have been selected for the job of Technical Advisor/ Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Dressage Team! Earlier this evening, my friend, Michelle, who has worked at Gladstone for many years, told me that Fiona Baan, past Director of Dressage and one of the most influential people in America for our sport and me, personally, “would be very proud”. I fully intend to do my very best to live up to the expectations of Fiona, Col. Bengt Ljungquist, and so many others who helped me so much in my career and put their faith in me.

My desire is to work with the riders, their personal trainers, and our National Coaches, to create an incredibly strong pipeline - a true machine - from our juniors on ponies through our young riders and horses and developing combinations, up to our elite international athletes, so that Americans may stand atop the medal podiums around the world at all divisions. This goal will not only require great strategies, dedication, and hard work by all of us involved, but naturally, it is going to hinge greatly upon the funding necessary to train and field the finest teams of athletes, both 2 and 4-legged. Your donations to our USET Foundation are key in financing our High Performance athletes. World-class riders and horses training and competing at the very highest standards means world-class programs, starting with our kids. Our elite international riders know their jobs and while ensuring they have EVERYTHING they need to excel with confidence, I can tell you from having been on and coached great teams, that is still the easy part. The game changer will be making sure we have superbly trained and prepared riders and horses, constantly coming up through the pipeline in greater numbers every year. Only then will we see an “American Machine” which will outlast all of us individually and continue indefinitely into the future, the Solid Gold future we dream of!

Cheers!

RD

My Dad passed away this morning with my sisters at his bedside. He had been suffering with Altzheimer’s for over 12 years and somehow, with the passing of my Mom, the love of his life, last July, his internal knowledge began his further decline into himself. As he lost more and more of who he was, both physically and mentally, he finally would stare at the picture on the wall of my Mom, though he was basically non-communicative and no longer knew himself, us, or much of anything outwardly. The disease is so horrible that he was little more than a skeleton toward the end and I must say that, as sad as it is, it is also a blessing. Had he known how he was living this past year, he would have been downright pissed off at all of us! But, this is America, where we can do most anything to our animals but not put a human-being out of extreme misery.
Dad went to sleep yesterday morning and his breathing became slower and more shallow through the night until around 6:30am when my sister called to say he had passed.

So, to my Dad - one of my fondest memories which speaks volumes as to who he was as a person. When I was 15, my Dad was hauling me and my crazy Pony Club/ Event horse to a Horse Tials from South Florida to Tallahassee. Somewhere on the turnpike, the trailer had a flat tire and we had to pull into the middle grass island. Naturally, I had visions of my horse, Sonny, getting out of the trailer, pitching a fit, and running off into the traffic with me hanging on for dear life. My Dad, a nice Jewish man from Chicago, could surely change a car tire…. but jack up and change a trailer tire in over 100 degree heat?
So, while I was whining and yelling that he had to hurry, my Dad, for the love of me and my horse, did it all in record time and had us back on the road to our competition. He was absolutely my greatest fan and over the years his bedroom looked like a memorial to me, which I naturally complained about constantly. My Dad would give anyone the shirt off his back and I have already been missing him for the past year since he no longer knew me or our family, but I hope he is now with my Mom and if so, I’m pretty sure they’re bickering over something ridiculous!

I Love You Dad and Mom!

RD

Equestrian Sport Productions

Press Release

Incredible Auction Items Finalized for Friday’s “Solid Gold!”
USET Foundation Benefit at PBIEC

For Immediate Release

Wellington, FL - April 10, 2013 - Unbelievable items are up for grabs at the “Solid Gold!” USET Foundation benefit dinner and live auction, hosted in the Global Pavilion at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Friday, April 12, 2013, at 6:30 pm. The latest additions to the list include a trip for four to the luxurious Meadowood Resort in Napa Valley and a seven-course feast for eight at the home of Tim and Susan Dutta.

Bidders can also vie for the trip of a lifetime to the exclusive Monwana Resort in South Africa, the chance to win a “Day with a Team Rider” as well as a seat next to one of the judges at the following day’s competition. The benefit is held during the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO/CDI 3* presented by Stillpoint Farm at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.

The “Solid Gold!” benefit dinner and live auction will raise money toward funding the U.S. Dressage Team in their 2013 European tours. The tours allow the team to prepare for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.

The live auction action will be preceded by dinner and a performance unlike any other by Olympians Robert Dover and Tina Konyot. The pair will ride a Grand Prix Pas de Deux to music, which has never before been done, and it will be Dover’s first public ride since 2005.

Mr. and Mrs. Harlan, owners of the famous Harlan Wines, have donated a two-day and two-night stay for two couples at the beautiful Meadowood Resort in the heart of California wine country. The lucky couples will enjoy a complete tour of the winery and of course, wine tastings!

Tim and Susan Dutta have generously opened their doors to host the winning bidder and seven of their friends for an indulgent seven-course meal of savory Indian delicacies prepared by the host himself. Dinner guests can also satiate themselves with some of the finest wines and ports from around the world, compliments of Dave and Tuny Page. The Pages will also be attending this one-of-a-kind feast at the Dutta’s gorgeous Palm Beach Polo home. Bidding will start at $5,000 - some of the bottles of wine alone are worth that!

Thanks to the generosity of Monwana Resort owner Eliana Cordia, attendees of the benefit have the chance to win a trip for two to South Africa, which includes a three-day and three-night safari and stay at the luxurious resort.

International dressage riders and judges will also be part of the night’s entertainment. Each group will unveil a special on-stage performance while they are auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Winners will have the chance to spend an entire day with one of Team’s top riders, including Shelly Francis, Todd Flettrich, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Michael Barisone, Debbie McDonald, and Michelle Gibson. How the winner spends the day is entirely up to them. Take a clinic, go out to dinner, or go for a relaxing trail ride to pick the brain and enjoy the company of one of our nation’s best equestrians.

Five international judges will also be auctioned off. Bidders can battle for a seat next to one of the judges during Saturday night’s freestyle competition of the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO 3*/CDI 3* presented by Stillpoint Farm.

Bidders have the option of calling or text messaging their bids in advance or during the event to 561-758-6186.

The dress for the event is “casual to gilded” to fit with the gold theme. Tickets are available at $200 each or $1,600 for a table of eight. Sponsorship is also available at Silver ($2,500), Gold ($5,000), and Platinum ($10,000) levels.

For tickets, tables, and sponsorships, please contact:
Annie Cizadlo
218-349-3452
kodester1@yahoo.com

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please visit
www.uset.org.

For more information on the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Jennifer Wood
Media and Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
Equestrian Sport Productions
info@equestriansport.com
561.793.5867
561.753.0394
www.equestriansport.com

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I am very excited about the upcoming USET Benefit this Friday, April 12th, at the Global Pavilion during the CDIO Nations Cup! Tickets and tables are selling like hot cakes and we have a huge amount of fun in store for everyone at the “Solid Gold” themed event!

Mark Bellissimo is hosting a beautiful dinner with open bar and Dave Page will see to it that everyone enjoys their wine. Entertainment includes an Olympic Special Pas de Deux by Tina Konyot and me, riding in public for the first time since 2005! Hope I still remember how!

We will also see an international quadrille performed by our International Judges as well as fabulous singing performances by some of our top riders and dances by our judges.

And of that were not enough, we have some amazing live-auction items:

A trip for two to the gorgeous Monwana Resort in South Africa with a 4 day/ 4 night safari and suite overlooking the watering place for herds of wild animals! This is a trip of a lifetime, guaranteed!
Courtesy of Catherine Haddad-Staller and Eliana Cordia

Mr. and Mrs. Harlan, owners of the famous Harlan Wines, have donated a 2 day/ 2 night stay for 2 couples at the beautiful Meadowood Resort in the heart of California wine country. The lucky couples will enjoy a complete tour of the winery and of course, wine tastings!

Time and Suzie Dutta have generously opened their doors to host the winning bidder and 7 of their friends for an indulgent 7-course meal of savory I Dian delicacies prepared by the host, himself. Dinner guests can also satiate themselves with some of the finest wines and ports from around the world, compliments of Save and Tuny Page. The Pages will also be attending this one-of-a-kind feast at the Dutta’s gorgeous Palm Beach Polo home. Bidding will start at $5000 - some of the bottles of wine alone are worth that!

Dress code is “casual to gilded” and tickets and tables are still available by calling Annie Cizadlo at 218-349-3452
Kodester1@yahoo.com

For more information, please visit www.uset.org

Hope to see you all at the event!

Cheers!

RD

I want to thank the many people who have sent messages of support for my candidacy to become the Technical Advisor/ Chef d’Equipe for the USEF Dressage Team. I have been asked to comment but have really wanted to remain relaxed about the process and remain focused on my usual job of training and teaching as well as putting in our USET Fundraiser on April 12th. What I will simply say is that I love America; I love our riders; and I love winning medals for the USET! If it ends up that I get the job, I will do my very best to live up to those statements every day!

Cheers!

RD