So here we go with me putting myself on the line with 20 predictions for 2010. Some are “horsey” and other general and I will start with the latter.

1)  America will finally have health-care for every citizen, thanks mostly to President Obama.

2)  People in the United States who were so sure it would be the downfall of our nation will find out that this just isn’t so and life will go on just fine, even better than fine for those  in need.

3)  The situation in Iran will continue to escalate to the point of revolution as more people find the courage to stand up for true democracy and the right to live free lives, even if they are perhaps gay, though that can’t be possible there, right?

4)  There will be a new rise in HIV numbers in young people in the United States and elsewhere due to a lack of a strong message that AIDS is not just some manageable minor chronic illness.

5)  On the brighter side, the economy and markets will continue to come back.

6)  Joe Zada will get his “just deserves”.  (In the meantime, I heard you can see more of him by typing in his name on Youtube. Enjoy!)

7)  The World Equestrian Games in Kentucky will be the best games ever, breaking all sort of records.

8)  Canada will implement new extremely strong programs for Juniors through Elite International combinations which will produce very successful results in the future at all levels.

9)  Canada will also show more depth of  world-class Grand Prix combinations than it has had for decades.

10)  And, by the way, Canada will defnitely be in the hunt for a team medal in Kentucky.

11) That being said, Holland will win the gold in the Nations Cup at the WEG’s and will also have at least 2 of the top 3 spots in both the Special and the Freestyle.

12)  Germany will work very ahrd to regain their former prowess as the strongest nation in the world in Dressage, but it will take longer than they have to do this by October’s Games.  Any medal will be lucky for their team.

13)  England will be a strong contender for a team medal, even silver again after the European Championships.

14) Did I mention that I will be working harder than ever to ensure Canada’s success in 2010, despite the fact that I was supposed to be retired and this is only a “part-time job”? ( And I would be retired if it were not for Joe Zada. But I have let all that go….. can you tell?)

15) Steffen Peters will be the biggest U.S. hope for a medal, and if he can beat a few of the top guns out there now, either in Florida at the Masters, or in Europe in the summer, he will have a strong shot at an individual medal.

16)  Robert Ross will continue to be the most amazing partner anyone could ever hope to have in their life and be ever more successful in both real-estate and all his other endeavors.

17)  Simon will continue to completely rule our lives with his total adorableness.

18)  Jessica Ransehousen will finally be rewarded for her lifetime of hard work, dedication and honesty. I love it!

19)  I will join with a legend from another discipline to conduct a very special symposium, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

20)  And last but most definitely not least, my Mom will live to see her 82nd birthday on New Years Eve and ring in the new year along with my 86 year old Dad and our dear friend,Mercedes, who is like a 2nd mother to me and is 85. What could be better than that!

I wish all of you and your loved ones a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

Cheers!

RD