Whenever there is a major event like the Olympic Games, I read time and time again about how outraged horse fans are that there is not more TV coverage of our sports. Naturally, I too would love to see more horses on TV,
so much so that I produced my own show, The Search For America’s Next Equestrian Star - Dressage. It not only was very difficult to stage and produce, it was amazingly difficult to finally get picked up by a network.

I thought for sure that Animal Planet would jump at the chance to air this very well produced series. But they had previously aired a horse-related show for which the numbers did not come back very high. Therefore, they passed as did most of the networks we hoped for. Finally, we got Fox Reality to air the show and received quite good numbers and were happy. The whole thing almost killed me but my determination to see horses on TV and bring our sports into people’s living rooms was worth it. For us to create a wider acceptance from the world for horse sports we must get them on TV every chance we get.

So, the Jumping and Dressage World Cup Finals is coming in April again to Las Vegas. It is a fabulous event and for the first time has the chance to be televised all over America LIVE as well as to be viewed again and again as repeats on an NBC affiliate. The sad reality is that this may never happen because nobody so far will step forward to sponsor it. Can you believe it? Not one horse related company or major breeding farm that sells to the U.S. market thinks that there is value for them to sponsor this amazing event! And the thing is that for what they would get, the amount for the sponsorship is extremely inexpensive. For less than $100,000.00 the sponsors can receive a package that would make them the official sponsors of the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup Finals. They may receive valuable live and taped commercial time throughout the week’s competitions as well as banners, ads in programs, announcements, and premier suites and tickets for the show.

So with all this, I just can’t believe there is not anyone out there who will step up to the plate to ensure our horse sports get on TV. Please, if you or anyone you know is interested in becoming the World Cup sponsor, get in touch with me immediately and I will connect you with the folks at Las Vegas Events. I, Along with so many horse enthusiasts will be so sad if we miss yet another chance to watch are wonderful sport on TV!

There are so many fundraisers every winter in Wellington, but among my favorites is the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Benefit which is taking place this coming Friday evening at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. The fun begins at 6:30 pm and includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and dinner entertainment. But most importantly, seeing the kids’ smiles light up the evening as they talk about what riding and horses have meant to their lives. Below is a letter from one of the Vinceremos Benefit organizers, Tuny Page as well as the link to their website. Please support this wonderful organization!

This is such a great event on a variety of levels. First of all it includes EVERY part of our industry: The donors are vendors of virtually all horse related products and professionals who provide services to the horse industry. These individuals have continued their support of Vinceremos despite a difficult economic climate and are ever enthusiastic about our program.

Our sponsors and guests use this great avenue to support Vinceremos by buying a table at the event, purchasing items or adopting a Vinceremos horse for a year. Many times new relationships are created when a supporter tries a product or service that is new or different to them. It is absolutely a win, win situation.

Another important point is that this is the epidemey of a local charity. All the money raised at this event is used to fuel the day to day operations of Vinceremos hence those funds are re-circulated to the local suppliers of feed, hay, tack, etc., and the funds help to pay the local veterinarians, farriers and riding instructors. Again, it is truly a win, win!

Naturally the true winners are the kids and adults whose lives are transformed by these incredible horses. We know the magic that can happen when a horse teaches you something and Vinceremos is making this a possibility for people that need it the most and may not otherwise have the chance.

For the past five years there has been such generosity demonstrated by our community that the Vinceremos Center is sitting on the funds neccessary to complete the building of their own covered arena and FINALLY the newly incorporated Village of Loxahatchee is going to release our permits to go forward with this building project. This expansion should be complete within a year. What an honor it has been for me to be part of this time of growth at the center.

Thank you Robert for being willing to share this information on doversworld.com,

Tuny

You can reach their website at http://www.vinceremos.com/

I don’t know anyone who is doing more to stop the cruel and inhumane slaughtering of horses then my friend, Victoria McCullough and the wonderful organization she works with in South Florida called Pure Thoughts. This is not just some group of do-gooders rescuing the occasional abused animal. I’m talking about an operation that is saving hundreds upon hundreds of horses every year from being transported in the most horrific conditions from auction houses around the country to Canada or Mexico where their treatment is no less then a torture any animal lover could never bare to watch. And these are not just “old skinny nags on their last breath”, but rather mostly extremely healthy, vital young horses and foals. You see, they want them fat and healthy for their meat.

So what does Victoria and her friends do? They take their horse vans and head directly to the auctions wherever they are and they do whatever is necessary to outbid the killers, afterwhich they load up every last horse and bring them all back to West Palm Beach. Imagine a caravan of trucks arriving into our community bringing 200 or more horses, some with babies, and ponies all of which are getting a second chance to live the life we owe these beautiful animals!

The Pure Thoughts folks make sure that all veterinary needs of the horses are administered immediately when they arrive and the next step is finding them adoptive homes begins. But it doesn’t stop there, Victoria makes trips to Washington and around the world to lobby politicians to stop the cruel slaughter of our noble friends and has been successful in much of what she has attempted to do.

So I want to applaud Pure Thoughts and Victoria for all they have done and continue to do on behalf of our beloved horses!

Click on the link http://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com/ to find out more including how you can help.

Cheers!

RD

I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful Valentines to share my life with. First and foremost is my partner of 21 years, Robert Ross, who has brought me more love and joy then I ever could have dreamed of. Not to mention that without him I’d still be wondering around on some God-forsaken backroad trying to find the gym in Wiesbaden.

My Mom and Dad are my as well as eachother’s Valentines and their unconditional love for their children and their friends has been a great source of inspiration to all who share their lives. Mom’s best friend, Mercedes, is also a special Valentine for Robert and myself. She has endured a great deal in the last year but still is like a graceful thoroughbred with unlimited energy.

My brother, Al, and his lovely wife of many years, Lynn, have a beautiful place in Nevada City, CA. On their farm they not only have horses, but other family members like Lynn’s amazing folks who live in homes on the property, making it even more fun. Lynn’s parents told me great stories of their time as Freedom Riders during the 60’s. Wow! Al is a retired superior Court Judge and he and Lynn not only have a great life both on the farm and traveling abroad, but have raised Lynn’s son, Shane, together. Shane is one of the most fascinating, intelligent, and fun people I have ever met.

My sister, Dale, is a para-legal in Austin, Texas. She is one of the strongest willed people I have ever known, posessing a heart of true gold at the same time. Not only is she rebuilding her own home herself, something I could never imagine myself able to do, she also takes in every rescue dog and cat that comes within a ten mile radius.

My other sister, Margo, has always been the life of any party, a trait which, along with her high degree of intelligence and business savvy, has elevated her to being the CEO of an Austin company. Her amazing husband, Dr. Bob Meyerson, is a medical doctor with 3 kids from a previous marriage and a huge heart, finding time from his busy schedule each year to travel abroad to third world countries ( a la Doctors Without Boarders) to help those in need. Their family is rounded out by my two beautiful nieces, Morgan, an actress in NYC, and Stacey, who is in college and engaged to a great guy.

Robert’s lovely Mom, Julie, and his fantastic brother, David, live out in L.A. and are two of my favorite people in the world. Their spirits are always an inspiration to me.

And then there’s our other family; our friends like Ron, Josh and David, Scot, Ken and Scot, Janise and Angelo, Katherine and Carl, Jacquie , Guenter and Shawn, and others too numerous to mention. What I can say is that I love them all.

My animals ; horses and dog, Simon, light up my life every day! I don’t know what life would be like without the love and joy they bring.

These are my Valentines who make every day of my life the wonderful adventure that it is. Like I said, there are many more that I didn’t mention who throughout the years have brought joy, inspiration, wisdom, and love to my life. I wish I could mention them all but YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

AND I LOVE YOU ALL!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

RD

I would wager that if you’re reading my site you love all animals as much as I do. And I’m sure you have lots af fantastic photos of your pet. So here’s the thing - I want to see them!

If you have a great pic of your “best friend”, send it to Dover’s World and every month we’ll all vote on our favourite pet of the month. The winning pet will get its own “This Is Your Life” spot on DoversWorld and a prize for its owner. So get those fabulous pet pics streaming in. I can’t wait to see them!

A few recent pics…

Since Phelisha Chandler won The Search For America’s Next Equestrian Star -Dressage two years ago, she worked for me for an entire year as my assistant. Last October, after aa full year apprenticing, Phelisha took a job as assistant to Tuny Page where she is doing as great a job as she did for me.

But Phelisha can be even more than an assistant. She has the talent, drive, and character to be a top international competitor and has been training her lovely horse to Grand Prix extremely well. What Phelisha really needs is a sponsor! She needs to have more and better horses, the ability to train and compete here and abroad, and the security necessary to relieve the stress she feels from knowing that money she is spending on her horse could be being utilized to pay bills and help out her family.

So with this letter I am asking anyone interested in helping this fantastic young lady to achieve her dreams to step up to the plate and contact her. Not just because she is talented, not just because as an African American in Dressage sport she is a great ambassador , not just because she shows great drive and determination; but truly because of all those things and many more do I ask you to please help Phelisha to realize her dreams.

Philesha Chandler was born in Tampa, Florida, and raised by her paternal grandmother, Anna Chandler for most of her life. Most of you know Philesha, as the girl from Kansas who won Robert Dover’s reality TV show, “The Search for the Next Equestrian Star: Dressage”. Before taking on the year of apprenticeship with Robert, Philesha had earned USDF Bronze and Silver Medals, and had won numerous Championships and High Point awards. Under Robert’s watchful eye this past year, Philesha learned the “ropes” of the dressage world, and achieved her dream of riding Grand Prix.

“I learned so much in my year with Robert! Not only about riding, but also about barn management, client services, vet care. The list goes on and on. I came into the situation reserved. I learned how to be more assertive, and how to manage a great training facility. The tools I learned for my riding in this past year will stay with me a lifetime!

Since finishing up her year with Robert this past October, Philesha has taken on the role as assistant to another top U.S. rider, Arlene “Tuny” Page. Once again as an assistant she not only rides, but deals with all aspects of helping run a successful world class facility. On top these tasks, she has a wonderful 11 year old Dutch gelding, whom she plans to show Prix St. Georges and Intermediare 1 this season in Wellington. So far Ricardo and Philesha are having success in getting their feet wet at Prix St. Georges. At their 1st recognized show this season the pair scored a 65% at Prix St. Georges. Philesha hopes to keep improving their scores and move Ricardo along to Grand Prix within the next year.

Philesha is currently looking for sponsors to help her continue her journey to becoming one of the top riders in the U.S.

Phelisha can be emailed at pac90_1981@yahoo.com or contacted by phone at 316-207-4439.

Dear Rhonda,

My husband told me that I have to sell my horse because the economy was bad and that we couldn’t afford to keep her anymore. I love my husband dearly, but owning and riding Starlight has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I can’t imagine giving her up. How should I handle this situation?

Sincerely,

Hopelessly Torn

Dear Hopelessly Torn,

The only thing hopeless about this situation is that you are even torn about what to do. Most things in life are very simple to resolve, but most people make them way too complicated. Let’s look at this situation mathematically. I don’t have exact statistics, but in my experience a true horse lover remains a horse lover their entire life. Are you with me so far? If so, let’s continue. Statistic #2: The divorce rate in the country is at least 50%. Do you see where I am heading?

I don’t mean to be a downer, but you are statistically more likely to grow old and menopausal with Starlight (and a cat) then you are with your Mr. Torn. My advice would be to tell your husband that if he truly loves you then he will love Starlight as he would his own child and do everything in his power to keep you together. And tell him, if Starlight has to go then you have to go! I guarantee that you and Starlight will be secure (but just in case, I would sell Starlight to one of your friends for $1. This way he can’t get 50% of her in a divorce settlement).

Best of luck and let me know how it all works out.

Rhonda

My very good friend, Guenter Seidel, called today with very sad news. Brentina had to have colic surgery last night and while she survived the operation, she will be in critical condition for the next 24 hours. It is always sad to hear about a horse going through this, but Brentina holds a very special place in my heart as in the hearts of most all dressage enthusiasts. It’s not just because Brentina has had an amazing carreer, bringing our country medals in Olympics, World Championships, World Cups and Pan American Games, something I believe no other American horse has ever done. It is more because — unlike 99.9% of horses — Brentina truly loves to be in the arena with her beloved partner, Debbie, and proved this again and again through her fantastic willingness to fight for her rider for every last point. All one ever had to do was look deep into her eyes to set Brentina apart from the rest. Her look of confidence sprang from the most sound training of the basics and the true harmony which was supremely evident in most every test I ever saw them do.

In the end the story of Debbie and Brentina is a love story of the highest kind. It is the reason why horses who loved their masters have always done such amazing feats for them and this speaks to what also makes Debbie so special. You see it is not only Brentina who has an amazing heart. Debbie is the mother who imprinted that characteristic on her baby, even though she may have always called he MaMa. Debbie truly has almost the same qualities which I just mentioned that make Brentina so extraordinary. She may not be huge in body but she is as smart as a whip and has a heart as big as the universe. And if you are not sure who I meant when I said that, Debbie or Brentina, it doesn’t really matter because the statement applies perfectly to both! My thoughts and prayers are with Brentina, Debbie and her family and the Thomas Family.
RD

An Update for Everyone from Deb

Hi Everyone,

I had to give you all an update again, Mama is doing fantastic! Ruben and I took her out for a walk today she was so excited to have us there. We had rain all day and when we went to take her out there was bright sunshine for about 15 min. She mostly wanted to groom us which made me so happy because that meant she was feeling more like herself. Button was my photographer today and caught a few pictures of us together. I wanted to share them with all of you since everyone has been so concerned. Again, I can’t thank everyone enough for all your prayers, I really believe that they have been heard and hopefully answered. I also wanted to Thank my friend and teammate Robert Dover for writing such an emotional letter on his website. I have never had such wonderful things written about us. I will keep you all posted.

Thank You Again!!!!
Love Debbie

I heard you got your start in showbiz at the Cartwheel in New Hope. Can you please elaborate?
Signed: Harey Bare

Dear Harey,

I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty of calling you by your first name. I am not much for formality (truth be told, I didn’t know if I should call you Mr. or Ms.). Regardless of your ambiguous name, thanks for such and inspired and perfect introductory question for my new column.

Truth is, while Madonna reigned the airwaves with Vogue and Express Yourself, Rhonda Weiss (before my two divorces, my annulment and one “death by natural causes”) was peddling my falsies on the Monday night stage at New Hope’s historic (and currently burned down) Cartwheel. There was no better place to learn life’s lessons and hone my skills as a future advice columnist (and not to mention the $50 bucks and five free Sea Breezes). I knew even then that someday the lessons I learned on that stage (love, loss, more love, more loss, and weight gain) would make their way to the people and that the wisdom I achieved could be shared for generations to follow.

It is with this same humility that I offer myself up to Dover’s World readers and hope that in my small way I can make a difference. Thank you for your question and I look forward to hearing from more of you.

Warm wishes,

Rhonda

Rhonda Weiss-Weiner-Baucher-Mahaney-Stendahl

Today’s blog is really directed toward the kids riding today although anyone can relate to this advice. Probably the single most important thing I wish someone would have told me growing up may sound silly, but it’s, “Robert, make sure you touch your toes every day when you wake up and before you go to bed.” Now you may be wondering what a little stretching could possibly do for you, and I’m going to tell you that it will change your life just as surely as not doing it changed mine!

I actually began seriously working out in 1988 at the Seoule Olympic Games. My swim partner there was none other than one of my true heroes, General Jack Burton, our team’s Chef D’Equipe. We went daily to the gym in the Olympic village and I began, besides swimming, to use the machines and lift weights. In the month that we stayed in Korea I became so much more fit and even addicted to the gym.

When I returned to Florida amd N.J., my two homes, I looked for and found a personal trainer at each location and began learning the basics of working out. Yes, just like the craft of riding, working out in the gym has its own set of basic principles. And one of the most important, regardless of whether you are a body builder, a weight lifter, or a cross trainer, is STRETCHING!

Now I had spent most of my 32 years on horses, thinking that was more than enough exercize, but all that time my hamstrings had been getting shorter from spending so many hours in a sitting position with my legs bent. Guess what? Short hamstrings are the perfect recipe for creating buldging and herniated disks, especially in the lower back.

By my 5th Olympics, my lack of elasticity coupled with my intense riding and teaching schedule had me sidelined often and without epidural injections into my L5-S1 a multitude of times, along with heavy pain medications I could not have made it through the Sidney games. The truth is that I was given such a high dose of completely legal though narcotic pain relievers before my Grand Prix Special (Thank God we had already won our team bronze the day before) that I went off course at the walk and looked like a drunken sailor as I left the arena with a big smile on my face. My fabulous and patient owner, Jane Clark, was certainly not smiling though. She, like everyone else, was trying to figure out why I went for a long stroll in the middle of my ride.
Fast forward to fall of ‘08 and I knew that I couldn’t go on trying to merely patch my ailment with injections any longer so I decided to look into surgery. I made an appointment to see Dr. Allan Levy at Jackson Memorial, one of the top spinal groups in the world. In the meantime I had retired from work and was taking it easy and, along with Robert, took a little trip up to New York to see friends and take in some shows. Staying in a friend’s 6 floor walk-up ended up being a huge mistake as on our second day there I woke up and literally could not get out of bed due to the pain. Now I had had back pain for over a decade, sometimes so bad I knew that I couldn’t go on without an injection, but this wasn’t like that. This was the kind of pain that tells you on no uncertain terms that you need to get to a hospital-FAST! I don’t know how I got myself down those stairs other than desperation, and then Robert got me in a cab to the E.R.

A word to the wise, a New York City hospital E.R. is not the best place to have a back problem, no matter how much agony you’re in or how much writhing and screaming you do. There are 100 people with far worse injuries or illnesses who are way ahead of you in the pecking order of being seen by a “real doctor”. The most you can count on is some heavy drugs which they mostly give you to keep you quiet and out of their hair for the 7 hours it will take until someone can see you.

Well , after 2 days of this I finally got an appointment with a surgeon who would have performed a very extensive surgery on me which required 4 days of hospitalization followed by 4 months of recovery and up to a year or more before I could consider riding a horse. But God intervened and I caught a cold the night before my surgery was scheduled, so I decided to fly home to West Palm and go back to Dr. Levy, who I had never actually met.

The good news was that he told me he would do a much simpler surgery and I would be in and out of the hospital the same day. He also said my recovery would be only weeks instead of months. This was, in the end, half true.

I was in and out the same day, but after a couple of days I lost most of the feeling in my right leg and now, almost 4 months later, I still have very little feeling in my right foot. And now I’m told it might take up to a year to regain my feeling, if it comes back at all. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in any pain other than some electrical shocks I get when laying down, but I sincerely wish I had known through my youth what I know now.
Stay fit, especially in your core, but even more importantly, stay supple and elastic! Do Yoga, Pilates, stretch classes, or just touch your toes a few times a day. When you reach my age I promise you will look back and be very glad you did!