This morning on my way to the barn, I stopped as I always do at Starbucks for my usual breakfast of a Venti Skinny Iced (it’s summer here in Florida!) Vanilla Latte, a Perfect Oatmeal fully loaded (fruit, nuts, and a little brown sugar), and a reduced fat coffee cake (for later in the morning). I always go through the drive-thru but today something totally unexpected happened.
It’s not that there was no line. the normal 6 to 8 cars were in front of me as I pulled up. But when I ordered and then got up to the window to pay, the lady said that my breakfast had been paid for by the person in front of me. I thought I hadn’t heard her and asked her to repeat herself, and when I looked up to see who in fact this kind person might be, all I could make out was a black SUV already out near the main entrance heading to the light. I couldn’t tell if it was a guy or a lady, no less who it might actually be, and so I went through the day asking at the barn if this person or that had bought my meal for me so I could properly thank them.
Well, wouldn’t you know it - the first time I get a mysterious breakfast buyer and I can’t find them. So, I am hereby putting out an official APB for my SSP (Secret Starbucks Purchaser), for which I have a nice “thank you gift”. If you are or know who is the person who bought my breakfast, please come forward and MANY THANKS!

Cheers!

RD

Just back from Cincinnati the second of my monthly stops on my World Farewell Tour of Symposia and Clinics, and I can’t say enough about the entire event. Chris Federer put on a wonderful symposium and Gala Benefit to raise funds for the USEF High Performance Dressage Programs. My thanks go out to her, Becky and Kirk, and all the helpers and volunteers who made the weekend a huge success!
Approximately 120 auditors and 10 riders showed up and I couldn’t have been happier with their enthusiasm and sincere desire to learn and have fun. What made the weekend even more special for me was that I was so impressed by the quality overall of the riders and horses. Each and every combination, from Ken Borden’s absolutely fantastic 5 year old stallion, Rashka, to Chrissa Hoffman’s green Grand Prix horse,F. Ferrelli, thrilled me with their potential. Silke Rembacz flew out from New Jersey to ride Becky and Chris’s 6 year old stallion, San Francisco, and again I could not get over how fabulous this horse is!
I also got to see old friends like Kathy Priest and her wonderful mare, Wild Dancer, and Mary Haskins Gurganus riding the stallion, Richmond, both of which are combinations to watch carefully in the future. And then I made some new friends too like Jennifer Roth, who rode her own London Z as well as the Smith’s super Grand Prix mount, formerly ridden by George Williams, Marnix. Jenn is also one to watch for not too long from now.
Jackie Sharp, Sue Black and Lara Silver each rode lovely horses which I enjoyed very much helping them with. And last but most certainly not least was possibly the finest Andalusian I have ever seen or worked with, named Faraon and ridden by Francesca Nicoletti.

The great news is that I am positive we have the raw material all around this great country of our to produce top teams from in the future. The problem is that they are missing the key element to ensure their, and therefore our, success - programs. It is not that the competitions and appropriate tests are not in place from which to evaluate these riders and their mounts; it is that their daily lives do not adhere to high enough standards to assure their rise to excellence and fame. When I say some of these horses are GREAT, I am not kidding! But in many parts of Europe, for many reasons, they work in an environment which demands extremely high and well understood standards, including every single detail of their existence, both under tack and in the stable.

For America to take its place at the top of Dressage sport, we must provide incredibly strong and far reaching programs at every level for our riders and horses, from the youngest to the Grand Prix trained. We must find them, nurture them, and produce them like movie stars, with every detail and refinement thought of meticulously. Only then will we create the depth of knowledge and competitive excellence necessary to bring America consistently to the highest medal podium.

Watch for my next stops on my tour and come see me.

Cheers!

RD

Sometimes we are called to act quickly to do a good deed and this is definitely one of those times!
I am asking all of my many European readers to help me to make a miracle come true for a wonderful young hopeful Para-Olympian.
As you will read, she is in desperate need of a horse to be able to compete in August in Norway.
Guys, we only have today to find a suitable horse for her and have its entry form filled out so she my compete.
PLEASE find it in your hearts to help Erin make her dream come true!

Here is the letter from my good friend, Mary Phelps.
RD

I am working on posting an article on Erin. She finished in first place on the last day of the Para competition, and competed in HK. Our para riders get very little support, and for the first time in the history of the WEG, they will be competing in our country. The British team has the support of the Lottery and Paul McCartney, and their fellow British HP riders who have donated former Olympic horses. We are got to put out an APB for a borrowed horse but in a perfect world, she should have her own. I am getting a shipping quote tomorrow from flyhfr.com, our sponsor for our Aachen trip. Her deadline is Tuesday, but miracles can happen. Please read. I will be posting this article tomorrow on Dressagedaily.Hi Mary, My name is Erin Alberda, I am a US Para Equestrian, and student of Jenny Nell & Roxanne Christensen.  We met at Lamplight Farms, where I was competing at the CPEDI3* & National Championships on my Swedish gelding “Delectari” (Dylan). After our strong finish at Nationals, I have been encouraged by the US Coaches to pursue competing at the Open European Para Dressage Championships, which will take place in Norway in August.  Their hope is that I can get some greater international experience, as well as some more exposure or “face time” with the judges, which may improve my chances of being competitive at WEG. I do not have the funding to ship Dylan all the way from Seattle (USEF has limited funding for this show), so I have been working on locating a horse in Europe to borrow & bring into Norway to compete on.  It feels like I have a million calls & emails out, but nothing has “popped” yet. Last week I unfortunately found out that any potential horse needs to be turned in on entries this coming Tuesday - so needless to say, I am just about out of time, and just about out of hope. I was wondering if you had any ideas in terms of people I might be able to contact. I am a Grade 3 Para rider.  The tests I ride are not complicated, the movements are comparable to US 1st level, but done in more of a 3rd level/FEI frame.  Para riders are able to compete on ponies in international competition, so that is an option (I am not very big!).  The competition is a CPEDI4*, so horses/ponies would need passports & be subject to a jog.   I would be traveling with Jenny & Marci, who groomed for me in Chicago, and for the US Paralympic team in Hong Kong.  We would of course pay any and all expenses, and be amazingly and incredibly grateful to the owner who would let a virtual stranger from another country show their horse. And of course, thank you, for your time and consideration, and for any ideas you might have to help!  Please feel free to contact me - (206) 396-0510, or Jenny with any questions - programdirector@littlebit.org, (425) 268-9611 All my best wishes, Erin Alberda 

Dressage Task Force Summary The Dressage Task Force held a Conference Call on 24 June in order to formulate plans for the upcoming Trial event in Aachen on 7,8 and 9 September.  The aim of the Trial will be to review the principles and processes of judging dressage. A panel of judges has been created who will work with the Task Force during the Trial. Following the Trial the results will be discussed within the Task Force to enable to production of a paper for the Bureau meeting at the General Assembly.  Spectators will be very welcome to the Trail however it must be emphasized that there will be no results or conclusions published or discussed during the Trail.  A detailed programme will be published later. Dressage Task Forces welcomes spectators to Aachen Trial The DTF will be conducting a Trial of judging processes and principles at Aachen 7 – 9 September. Spectators are welcome however it must be emphasisied that there will be no results or conclusions published during the Trial. The analysis and recommendations from the Trial will take place once the Trial has finished.  A detailed programme will be published later. 

Yesterday, people were discussing Isabell’s positive doping test from her horse, Whisper, as a “disaster for our Dressage Sport”.
Somehow, today’s news of the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson brought back for me just how not so earth shattering the equestrian scandal is in the grand scheme of things.
I am positive that Isabell, great champion that she is, will do whatever is necessary to act appropriately going forward and be back in the international arena with her horses.
We, as people, should use today’s very sad news to put things in perspective and remember that one of our highest and noblest traits as human beings is forgiveness.

RD

Today’s news of Isabelle Werth being suspended for allegedly doping her Prix St. George horse, Whisper, is bringing our sport of Dressage even deeper in peril, after the huge German scandal which recently occurred. But let me go on record right now that I actually have great optimism for thge future of the sport. While this has brought home, as did the judging problems in Hong Kong, the huge challenges for Dressage, it is sometimes necessary to be brought to one’s knees in order to pick one’s self back up and start a new.

Let us not villify anyone before they have their day in court.
And even if found guilty, let’s take this situation to be looked at as an opportunity to try to make our sport better in every way.
I am very excited that our FEI Dressage Task Force is working to put on the first ever Judging Systems Trials to be held in Aachen, Germany on September 7-9.
This is a huge step and I can’t wait to be there to hopefully help usher in a new era in Dressage Sport.
It should also be a lot of fun!

Cheers!

RD

Several weeks ago, Robert and I were walking home in South Miami Beach from Lincoln Road, the hotspot for restaurants, shops, and clubs, when two young obviously Orthodox Jewish boys stopped us and asked if either of us were Jewish. Though I wasn’t sure if I should respond, since there are a lot of somewhat “iffy characters” who often ask for money along that route, but I replied that indeed I was, at which point they asked if I might perform a Mitzvah, or Good Deed,  with them. Still a little unsure, I decided to go along with it and found myself having one boy wrapping a black leather strap many times around my right arm, while the other attached the Tefilin ( a small leather box attached to a strap which contains scriptures written on vellum) with a strap to my head. They then handed my a prayer book and asked me if I remembered how to read Hebrew. Just as I was about to say “No”, they began to recite a prayer which I recognized as the words seemed to jump off the page to my lips. And when we finished, one boy asked if I knew the Shamah which, not only did I know, but I recite at least once a day every day along with a prayer of thanks for all the miracles in my life.
When we were through, the boys thanked me for allowing them to do a Mitzvah with me and I replied that it was truly my pleasure. 

Reading From The Prayer Book While Wearing The Tefilin

My Mitzvah With Yossi

And that it was, for they really did not know how much joy those few moments brought me as I thought of my youth and my own Bar Mitzvah.
So guys, THANK YOU VERY MUCH and SHALOM!

RD

I have had some great students over the years who have had great achievements including Olympic and World Championship medals, but when I think of those who have been the most successful, I must place my friend, Jane Savoie, near the top of the list.
Why, you might ask,  since Jane didn’t win any Olympic medals,  though she did represent America on Nations Cup Teams, do I hold hr in such high esteem?
Here’s the answer. Jane has achieved something far greater in her career - GRACE!
And In doing so, she has found incredible and wonderful ways of articulating and teaching others ways in which to produce “That Winning Feeling” in their lives, on and off horses.
So much of what Jane writes and speaks about is how I live my life and I am proud and honored to be able, from time to time, to bring you some of Jane’s wisdom for benefit on Dover’s World.

Enjoy and Cheers!

RD

3 TIPS TO HELP YOU FIGHT FEAR      I realize that a lot of you are going through some really tough times lately including economic uncertainty, job losses, and health issues. But it’s essential that you don’t get sucked into that downward spiral of fear.     So here are 3 quick tips to help you fight your fears.1.    USE THE LAW OF ATTRACTION.      The Law of Attraction is as universal as the law of gravity. Basically, the Law of Attraction states that we will attract into our experience that with which we are in vibrational resonance.     Some of you might feel that the Law of Attraction is a little too “woo-woo” for you. But there is real science behind this law. Specifically, I’m talking about quantum physics. Don’t panic because quantum physics sounds complicated. I’m simply talking about energy.     We’re all energy. You, your horse, your car, and even your thoughts and feelings (including those feelings of fear!) are all energy. That’s because everything is made up of molecules, which are made up of atoms, which are made up of subatomic particles, which are pure energy.     All energy vibrates at a certain frequency. When something vibrates at a certain frequency, it naturally resonates with and attracts back to it things with the same vibration–sort of like a magnet.     I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “like attracts like”.  When your thoughts and emotions are about fear, anxiety, overwhelm, or tension, you literally draw those things to you like a magnet.      So, if you’re afraid that you’ll lose your income, your life savings is dwindling, you might lose loved ones, or your health might fail, you literally attract those situations into your life.    You really do create your own reality. And it’s vital that you create it purposefully rather than creating it by default by living in “fear mode”.    I’m sure the first question you have, then, is “How do I change the frequency of my vibrations?” It’s actually quite simple. Use visualization to create a mental movie of what you want.     Visualize yourself healthy, happy, and prosperous. As you create your mental image, make sure to:     1. Add emotion. (This is the most important part!) Remember a time when you felt confident and on top of the world, and really get into experiencing that emotion during your mental movie.     2. Fill in details. Make your image very vivid by “seeing” what you’re wearing, where you are, and what kind of day it is.     3. Involve your senses. For example, “see” yourself fit and healthy as you go for a morning run along the beach. “Hear” your rhythmic footfalls. “Smell” the fresh ocean air. “Feel” the wet sand sinking under your sneakers. And “taste” the salt from your sweat.    2. CULTIVATE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE         To have a great day every day, be “great-ful”…I mean grateful. Not only will gratitude insure that every day is a great one, but also gratitude will actually attract more of the things you appreciate and value into your life.     You can destroy fear by adopting an attitude of gratitude. Rather than focusing on what you’re afraid of, focus on what you’re grateful for. Are you afraid to get on an airplane? Be grateful you have someplace to go. Are you afraid of getting bucked off your horse? Be gratefulthat you get to spend time outdoors with beautiful animals. Are you afraid of getting sick? Be grateful you’re not blind or crippled. Are you afraid of becoming blind or crippled? Be grateful that you have a sharp mind. Are you afraid you’re not smart enough? Be grateful you have a loving heart. Maybe you don’t like your job? Be grateful you have work so you can pay your bills (…and then go about finding your passion so you can do what you love and love what you do!).It’s impossible to feel fear at the same time that you’re being grateful.     As simply as I can put it, when you start to get discouraged or afraid, remember these two little words: “Thank you”.3. CHANGE YOUR EMOTIONS INSTANTLY BY ASKING HIGH QUALITY QUESTIONS      I learned from peak performance expert, Anthony Robbins, the importance of asking high-quality questions. When you ask low-quality questions, your brain searches for an answer and can only come up with low-quality answers. Here are some low-quality questions:  “Why is my life falling apart?” “How come this always happens to me?” “Why am I such a lousy rider?” “Why am I so broke?”     The only kinds of answers your brain can come up with to questions like that are: “Because you don’t deserve good things.” “Because you’re a loser.” “Because you’re a lousy uncoordinated piece of do-do-do.” “Because you’re an idiot, and no one appreciates you.”      Notice that low-quality questions often start with the words “Why?” or “How come?” As soon as you hear those words come out of your mouth, stop mid-sentence! Then, ask a better question.     Better questions are: “What do I need to change in order to create the life I want?” “What did I learn from this?” “How can I use this to my advantage?” “Who do I love?” “Who loves me?”…And, of course, “What am I grateful for?”

For more from Jane go to : www.janesavoie.com

Well, It was a wash-out again for the last day of the Festival of Champions and the U. S. National Championships.
Only the Young Riders class got to go and they had some fantastic rides which appeared not to be hindered in the least by the rain or the footing.
Amidst all the controversy over the going in the main arena, I just want to go on record that the Dick and Jane Brown Arena lived up to decades of its reputation for holding up and draining no matter how much water might be dumped on it from the heavens. I did not see one horse slip or hear of anyone saying their horse was hurt in even the slightest way from the footing.
Indeed, the only horses which were at all “iffy” during the competition, in my opinion, arrived on the grounds that way.
Might it be even made better with the “Aachen footing” and a top professional crowning it as well as a total refurbishing of the indoor from soup to nuts? Absolutely!
That being said, I have ridden in major European competitions where both the warm-ups and the main arenas were in far worse shape and, since winning prize money also determined whether I could eat that week, provided I was 100% convinced that my horses were in no real danger from doing so, I as well as all the other international dressage and jumping riders bucked up and rode.
And, just as was the case this weekend, sometimes I was surprised by just how well my horses moved and how concentrated they remained.
Still, I understand the conflict the judges felt in trying to come to the best decision for everyone and respect the fact that they were trying to put the horses’ welfare first as they always should.

And I want to congratulate once again all the riders, especially our new Champions and Vice-Champions at every level. The Juniors and Young Riders were awesome and show great potential to become, with hopefully new and stronger programs in place to nurture and support them, Olympic stars of the future. The same goes for the top Brentina Cup riders and Intermediare Champions.
I wish them as well as our Grand Prix riders all the best of luck and know, especially after speaking to just about every one of them this week, that I am 100% behind them and am always here for them if I can help in any way.

Cheers!

RD

There was much to be proud of in Gladstone today. I have to commend our juniors, young riders and Brentina Cup competitors first. Not only were they almost all better today than their previous rides; many of these kids had to go in torential storms that even the most seasoned performers were worried about surviving.
And not only did they survive, but many of the kids had personal bests and I for one was extremely proud of them and their horses.

Next, the Intermiediare proved again why Katherine Bateson Chandler and Jan Brons have been the ones to beat all season. They each rode like consumate professionals and topped the once again super class of riders and horses.

And then there was the freestyle. Adrienne Lyle rode a lovely test on Wizard and once again showed the sound basics that are a credit to both her and her trainer, the wonderful Debbie McDonald. With great music and few errors despite standing water everywhere which, especially to our west coast horses, was totally out of the ordianry, Adrienne showed great class and potential to become a flagship rider for the U.S. in the near future.
Leslie Morse, who had won so convincingly the day before in the Grand Prix, noted afterwards that her music choices had too many short and different pieces and took away from the flow of the ride which was already not helped by Tip Top not wanting to go through the puddles around the perimeter of the arena. She still ended in 2nd place and now the Grand Prix Special will decide our champion tomorrow. In general I think that both the music as well as the choreography for many of our riders can and must improve to achieve higher scores.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the final wrap up of the show and remember to get all the scores and other information from DressageDaily.com. I will also be blogging on my official USEF clinic here on Monday and Tuesday with our top riders.

Cheers!

RD