Though Canadian riders did not, as in the Grand Prix and the Freestyle, win the Special today, I have to tell you that I was just as proud of their rides. In a very good class, Jacquie Brooks, who has just started her Grand Gesto back in the ring in his 2nd show in a long time, proved she is truly on the comeback with well over 66%. And both Ute Busce and Gary Vander Ploeg were not far behind with 65.6 and 64.3 respectively. Both of these riders are just getting their feet wet with their lovely geldings at the International level and I know that all they need is constant training and routine to build up their scores to 70% each.
But I really have to take a moment to give my special award for the most positively changed combination for the Florida season. This prestigious, though monetarily useless award goes to none other than Diane Creech with The Lestherdale’s Devon L. Diane worked through her warm-up with a few problems which might have backed a less talented and feeling rider off, but this was not the case of Diane today. She and her trainer, Lars Pederson, who won the class with a very convincing ride on his Beemer, earning a score over 70%, kept encouraging Diane to push Devon absolutely through from behind and it worked. In the same arena where Devon had proven very naughty and unreliable, today I definitely saw the light at the end of the tunnel and that this bright chestnut gelding will now begin to work with confidence, proper submission, and the brilliance necessary for the biggest arenas. So this is why they receive the Most Improved Award and I wish them as well as all my new and old Canadian friends safe travels to their homes until we meet up again for the Kentucky test event in April. I am delighted that a few have decided to stay down with me in training until we leave for Lexington and then hopefully on to Europe for our 4 show competitive tour.

All the best to everyone!

Cheers!

RD

I can’t tell you how proud I’ve been all week for my Canadian riders! Once again, they proved their strength in the Freestyle tonight after having had 6 of the top 12 places in the Grand Prix yesterday, including the winner, Belinda Trussell riding Anton. And Belinda did it again this evening in her first time ever riding through the new choreography she produced a couple of weeks ago. I could hear the cheers for her and Anton from the warm-up where I stayed to watch all of our riders prepare for their tests.
Jacquie Brooks placed 3rd behind American, Todd Flettrich, with a lovely ride which I could see from the monitor and have always had fun watching. I was also gratified that each of the Canadian riders exited the main arena pleased with their progress and performances, even if some of them felt that they need a few more run-throughs to have their routines more reliable. After all, this was, for quite a few of them, only the first or second time performing their new freestyles and under the lights in the International Arena there is more than enough electricity and atmosphere to set off even the calmest horse! Still, our group maintained their composure and showed the great class I have come to expect from them, cheering on their fellow compatriots.
Tomorrow is the Grand Prix Special and I will report the results in the evening, but wish everyone the best of luck, especially the Canadians!

Cheers!

RD

I can’t tell you how overjoyed I was to hear from Lendon today that Courtney is definitely making observable progress. She is breathing completely on her own, following motion of pictures put in front of her with her eyes, and moving her hand in a purposeful way. Though she is not completely conscious, it is safe to say that she is much closer to waking up and I know in my heart that she is going to be fine one day. Yes, there will be a long recovery and I am the last one to say I’m patient, but just knowing that Courtney is making such progress gives me more hope than ever that we will all see her up in the saddle again in the future! I also loved the green rubber bracelet which Lendon gave me inscribed with “COME BACK COURT” on it. I never wear things on my fingers or wrist but, just like the helmet I now wear to ride, I will not take this band off until Courtney wakes up. That’s a promise!

Cheers!

RD

The stars are rising one at a time from Canada, which was evident already at the Palm Beach Derby 2 weeks ago, but was made even clearer today when Belinda Trussell led the field of 30 competitors to win the WEF CDI3* with 70.7%! Joining one of the finest combinations in the world in Ashley Holzer and Pop Art, Belinda rode a gorgeous test, showing fabulous piaffe, passage and pirouettes as well as exquisite transitions and expression. Here are the some of the placements and scores from the Grand Prix today.
1st) Anton 70.638
2nd) Todd Flettrich. 68.7
3rd) Lars with Beemer 68.3
4th) Granada with Oded. 67.6
5th) Proton 66.8
6th) Shannon with Ayscha. 66.34
7th) Gran Gesto w/Jacquie. 65.702
8th) Sue Jacoma w/ Waldamur. 65.4
9th) Jacquie w/Balmoral 65.362
13th) Chris Van Martels. 64.255
15th) Jaimey Irwin with Dover. 64.128
16th) Diane Creech w/Devon 63.957
17th) Bonny w/Pikardi 63.787
18th) Gary with Cezanne. 63.702
24th) Diane w/ Wiona 62.89
25th) Ute w/ Lindor’s Finest. 62.340

With 6 of our combinations placing in the top 12, I was very proud of all the Canadian riders who conducted themselves with a great deal of class and sportsmanship. Belinda’s score of over 70% for the 2nd show in a row defines her as another rising star for Canada following in the footsteps of Ashley. I also feel confident that everyone is getting a strong handle on how to best warm up and present their horses. I am already looking forward to the next CDI in Lexington as well as the European Tour. Our riders and horses are on the move up the ranks and I believe everyone is seeing their progress, especially the judges!
Our next CDI’s for our riders are in Burbank next weekend in Burbank, CA and then in Lexington, KY in April. We also have several riders in Europe and I am looking very forward to seeing their results as well. Canada is most definitely on the march toward the medal podium!

Cheers!

Robert

Life has been full of adversity for way too many of my friends lately, and I am still spending time every day praying for everyone as well as our four legged ones who are having health issues. With all that, I must say that it’s hard sometime to feel light-hearted about the stuff in our lives. So when Tuny came in and told me that her fabulous mare, Claire, had delivered her second baby, I just felt so happy that I thought I’d share some pic’s of the proud Mom and her kids. Claire had a colt a year ago which is growing up to be a beauty and just has a gorgeous filly a few days ago. Both Mommy and Grandma Tuny are soooo proud!

Cheers!

RD

Courtney remains in stable condition at the Hospital in North Palm Beach, Florida, though is still in a non-induced coma. The good news is that the doctors are taking her off the respirator for periods of time now and she is doing very well at breathing on her own. A tracheotomy had been performed which is normal in cases where one is not sure how long before the patient WILL wake up. I capitalized WILL, because I feel certain that all of our prayers are being heard and Courtney WILL WAKE UP!

KEEP SENDING IN YOUR PRAYERS, PLEASE! Thank You!

RD

Steffen Peters was in a class of his own at Show Park CDI today, receiving well over 77% in the Grand Prix. I was out with the Canadian riders in the wram-up but could already see that this combination was in their zone two days before. Steffen has continued to create a wonderful partnership with Ravel and this is lovely to see.
There were some very big discrepancies in the scores in a couple of the rides today, but not in Wendy Christoff’s, who with Pfalstaff, did an extremely pleasing ride to put Canada in the 5th position with 67.277%.
On the other hand, both Guenter Seidel and Canadian rider, Sharon Merkel-Beattie, received scores which included percentages ranging over 5% from the highest to the lowest judge. I would call this embarrassing, if you ask me, and the FEI is doing everything possible to prevent such a problem from affecting the outcome of classes in the major shows. Guenter had a 63.4 from one judge and a 71.7 from another, and Sharon had all scores above 64% and one 59.1 from the head of the Ground Jury. All I can say is “Hmmmm!”

I forgot to mention how nice this show is being put on over-all though. It has been safe, elegant, and a pleasure to participate at. The only thing which I would have changed today would have been to ask the gait kjeeper to not drape a grey blanket over her legs, as it was the cause of at least 3 horses stopping and/or shying down by A.

Tomorrow are both the Special and the Freestyle and Wendy, Sharon and Lorraine will all be contending in the Special for Canada. I will report back on their as well as everyone else’s results. I congratulate all the competitors and wish them all (but especially the Canadians) the best of luck tomorrow!

Cheers!

RD

OK friends, I know that I seem to keep asking you for help in one way or another, for this or that cause, but there are 3 young equestrians desperately in need of our help, so I’m asking again. These kids are Para Equestrians and each has recently lost their mounts just when the World Equestrian Games is right around the corner. Remember, this fall will not only be the WEG’s for the able bodied FEI sports, but also for the Para riders. Below are the bio’s for each of these wonderful young people along with a picture of each and the type of horse which each needs in order to keep their dream alive of representing America at the World Championships.
Please, find it in your hearts to help locate and secure appropriate mounts for these deserving kids. Thank you very much!

Rebbeca Hart

Rebecca Hart, 25, was born with a rare genetic disease called Familial Spastic Paraplegia (FSP). As an adult, it primarily affects her muscles and joints from the waist down. As a child, it also caused her to have difficulty gaining strength in her upper body for a few years and slowed all her motor development. Rebecca began riding at the age of ten.

Rebecca has been the National Paralympic Champion in 2006, 2008, and 2009. Though she did not compete in Athens in 2004, she was selected as first alternate for the team that year. It was in Belgium that year that she first had the opportunity to team up with her wonderful Hanoverian gelding, Norteassa. In 2008, she was a member of the United States Paralympic Equestrian team, competing in Hong Kong with her horse, Norteassa, and taking 4th place in the freestyle. She has also competed for the United States at the World Championships in England.

She has done many demonstrations promoting riding and dressage for the disabled, and has spoken recently at several fundraisers to promote therapeutic riding. She has served as a youth consultant for the United States Equestrian Federation. In addition to riding in events for para-equestrian riders, she has competed extensively in shows for the able bodied. She and Norteassa recently began showing the Prix St. George classes, and she has completed the elements for her bronze medal in dressage. In addition to her equestrian activities, Rebecca is a full time college student studying accounting and international finance, achieving honors at Pennsylvania State University. She has worked as an accountant, a barrista, a riding instructor, and as a farm hand to help support her riding. She and Norteassa are currently training at Blue Hill Farm in Pennsylvania, hoping to gain a place on the United States team for the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky in 2010.

-Holly Bergay

My name is Holly Bergay and I am a seventeen-year-old dressage rider. My dream is to compete in the 2010 World Equestrian Games as a para equestrian. Though I was born without my left hand, I have competed through Prix St. George and have competed in the North American Young Riders Championships. I have been fortunate to receive training from Debbie McDonald and Sarah dodge. To make it to the World Equestrian Games I need one thing; a horse. A horse showing at least Prix St. George that is relatively small would be great for the games. I need to compete in the selection trials in June on the horse that I would do the WEG with in order to make the team.
If you have a horse that is for sale and you want it to get great exposure, or if you have a horse that you are willing to let me ride in the World Equestrian Games, please let me know. I believe, if I have the opportunity to compete, I could represent the United States very well in these games.

The dressage community has done so much for me so far, and I appreciate all the wonderful people I have rooting for me!

Please spread the word and help me make this dream come true! Thank you!

To learn more about me: hollybergay.com

Contact:

marybergay@aol.com

Jonathan -

Heres  more of my story

Jonathan, a freshman at SMU, is studying history; economics & political science with plans to go to law school. His plans also include representing the USA in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, and the 2012 Paralympics in London!

Combining college and riding is a huge challenge, but Jonathan is used to challenges, he has been facing them all his life. Jonathan was born with cerebral palsy, which affects his strength, balance, coordination & flexibility. Jonathan was first put on a horse at age two as part of his physical therapy, at age five he continued his therapy, and began riding for fun including vaulting, jumping, quadrille and equitation. He also participated in many hippotherapy and therapeutic riding demonstrations and was the youngest member of a quadrille team that consisted of adult paralympians who were both teammates and mentors. At age twelve Jonathan was told he could no longer jump because his legs were too weak so at age thirteen he began training in dressage competing in his first recognized show at age fourteen with his sights on the Paralympics.

During the next several years Jonathan faced the ongoing challenge of finding a quality dressage horse with which he could consistently train and compete. He had to overcome the heartache of losing horses to a freak fatal injury, degenerative disease, and career ending injuries. He himself had to fight through extreme pain from a surgery, determined it would not end his riding career just as it was getting started.  Despite the challenges Jonathan has continued to work hard and has consistently made strides toward his goals. In May 2009 he competed in his first CPEDI3*, where he earned his certificate of capability for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He also competed in his first USEF PE Nationals where he placed 7th. He currently ranks #2 for Grade II, and #3 overall on the USEF Para Equestrian Ranking List.

Jonathan has always been an ambassador to the equestrian sport. Speaking and fundraising for local therapeutic riding centers, and riding in demonstrations to promote the Para-equestrian endeavor.

Recently he was named to USEF youth council to represent the Para-equestrian discipline.

Jonathan is in need of a horse that will be able to compete at an international level in order to represent the United States at the World Equestrian Games.

Please contact

info@uswarmblood.com or check

www.jonathanwenz.org

Close to 500 people from all around the world have sent in their prayers for a miracle for Courtney. This sounds like a lot until one thinks of the numbers of Dressage people and general horse enthusiasts world-wide. Literally hundreds of thousands of wonderful souls who may or may not know about Courtney’s fall and brain trauma.

So, my friends, I am asking you all to ratchette it up in the prayer department this week. Each time someone goes on Dovers World and write and says the words, “I believe in a miracle for Courtney” , we are combining our amazing powers with a common goal. Now, what we really need is for each and every one of us to ask 10 of our friends who have still not taken a moment to sign a prayer for Courtney today. If the 4 hundred who have already signed would make it their mission to find and get 10 more friends to do the same, we would have the power of over 4000 friends buy the end of the day combinig their power of prayer to ask God and the universe for a major miracle for our Courtney. Come on, Floks! Let’s DO IT!

Cheers!

RD