People ask me often, “What would you do if you were in charge of U.S. Dressage?” OK, I will tell you a few things I would do. I would re-structure and create programs from the Junior/Pony ranks, all the way to the International Grand Prix A Squads. I would appoint the very best coaches for Junior/Young Riders and oversee programs those coaches and I would create to ensure our best young talent has strong basics and a true understanding of horse mastership.

This means far more than just being a good rider who knows what to do in the arena. It means that they can fully take carte of and properly manage their horse’s health and total well-being. I would want to hold “Talent Searches”, similar to American Idol, to find young, raw talent all around our great country and give these kids the boost (and sometimes the kick in the pants) they need to get where they desire to go: future Olympics!

I would create a similar program for the young and developing horses who are working now without enough support and direction from our USET. Clinics around our country would begin immediately to once again search for and bring along new combinations so we have the depth coming up to the Grand Prix level which is so important for fielding future teams.

And I would create a training and competitive program for our International riders which would ensure they have enough experience and exposure at the right shows around the world to give them their shot at standing on the highest podium at the Olympics someday!

Those are just a few things I would do IF I were ever in the driver’s seat of U.S. Dressage.

Dear Readers,

I am so sorry that I’ve been remiss in talking with you daily. It’s not that I haven’t been thinking of you. Ask Jory, my partner in crime on this venture, and he’ll tell you that we have been working very hard behind the scenes to upgrade and fully produce Dover’s World so it does and has everything I said it would in my welcome. But, as usual, Rhonda Weis is right-Bitch.

I promise, from now on, to update daily and to get back to each and every comment or question left for me, though I must say that most of the traffic so far is going to who else, my mom! Mother is fielding questions from all over the world — deep ones about life, love and of course, me. And she is ALWAYS 100% truthful (as she sees it) so you can be sure of hearing what she honestly thinks on all topics.

But it has occured to me that my Mom is not always qualified to answer all kinds of questions. For instance, how to make a gull gown and hat completely out of bubble wrap, or what to do when one’s knees blow out from too much jumping off of tall speaker boxes after dancing all night out at the clubs.

Since I’m sure that with my readership these queries are bound to come up, I now am thrilled and proud to present my new section of Dover’s World aptly named, “Ask Rhonda”.

Now when I say you can ask Rhonda ANYTHING, I sooooo mean it! And you are also soooooo sure to get back an answer that will either have you laughing or immediately send you off for “real therapy.” So watch for the new “Ask Rhonda” blog coming tomorrow and please remember, she doesn’t have much of a life other than this, so give her lots to work with! I know I will.