I have come to the conclusion that the democrats have a secret weapon that nobody has recognized as being the single most effective aid in the fight against the far right.  Her name is SARAH PALIN!

Many years ago I was out in Los Angeles and I saw a fantastic, very large poster.  On it was a lady rider and her horse jumping an extremely high puissance fence and they were clearly not about to clear it.  One could tell that the woman was going to have a very dramatic fall from her horse which was hanging a front leg disastrously too low.  And in huge, bold letters was written, ” JOIN THE CALIFORNIA DRESSAGE SOCIETY!”

There you have it.  Every time Sarah Palin opens her mouth like she did again the other day saying Dr. Laura should not retire from the radio but rather “RELOAD”, it’s just like paying her to go out and recruit new democrats.  I mean… you just can’t buy that kind of promotional material these days.  It’s absolutely brilliant to have this caricature of a politician who says so many amazingly  idiotic things and helps to so beautifully and clearly define the differences between the philosophies of the 2 parties!  And I’m not 100% positive but I’m pretty sure they don’t even have to pay her residuals for replaying, ” I can see Russia from my kitchen”.  You have to love it, right?

Cheers!

RD

Cheers!

RD

So here’s the thing.  You know that I’m always trying to figure out ways to be creative and have fun at the same time, while remembering that, due to Joe Zada, what I thought were going to be my retirement years are now still having to be concerned with making a living.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not afraid of hard work or even taking risks, but I also want this next phase of my life to be not only about standing at the side of an arena ,but  creating new and exciting ventures for myself and Robert.

I know that I could be teaching and training every single day from morning to night and that is truly a blessing for which I am very grateful.  But I also am enjoying working on my website, which is increasing in its readership daily by leaps and bounds!  I never would have thought that so many people would enjoy connecting to me and others at Dover’s World over a vast number of issues. Of course, my Mom still is the most popular writer on my site, something she reminds me on a daily basis. :)  So, now I have this thought to bring Dover’s World to the airwaves and am in discussions with several top networks which are interested and know that I come with a built-in following.  I am hoping to start sometime in the fall and am putting mythoughts and plans out into the universe as a reaffirmation to myself.   Because,  when I commit to doing something……… well, you know the rest!

Cheers

RD

Right now, below my apartment in the bay, a baby 9 foot whale is NOT being rescued by more than 5 police and other boats which for over 3 hours now have done little else than just watch the injured animal and keep oncoming boats from hitting it.  It is so sad!  The news  helocopters hav been hovering over and many people have ben standing on the bridge of highway 395, watching the baby swim in circles.  I simply can’t understand why, what with Sea World so close by, they can’t figure out a way to sedate it and move it on one of the boats to a sfae place where they can treat the injuries and at least give it a chance to survive.  I thought this kind of thing happens often enough for someone somewhere to be ready and prepared for such an incident.

There are now 6 boats out there surrounding the whale and still no rescue in sight. I’m afraid they plan to just let it die and this makes me so sad.  It’s getting dark but I will post something again if a miracle happens and they save the baby whale.

:(

RD

Canadians are winning on both sides of the big pond more and more regularly, it seems. Just as Ashley Holzer was cleaning up in Saugerties, I learned today from Christilot Boylen that she was extremely successful with her new horse, Famous Boy, in the Hungarian Championships is Budapest. The pair won the Grand Prix with a very clean test and 68.39%, which is really terrific as they have only beed together for a few months! I was also very pleased to hear that Christie won the Intermediaire 1 on Jill Irving’s talented young horse, Degas, which she has had in training for quite some time. You don’t get a more experienced rider/trainer than Christilot and it is always a great thing when people like this add to the depth of a country’s international strength.

Congratulations to Christie, Udo, Robyn Eames, Cecily and Robert Bradshaw, Jill Irvingl, and the whole support team behind them!

Cheers!

RD

Every day I listen to the news telling me that President Obama is suffering the weakest poll ratings since he won the office. Mostly, this is a result of our still problematic housing and financial issues, both of which Obama inherited in a state only worse during the great depression in our American history.

I concede that people are still hurting across the United States and our hope for lessening unemployment has not still not been realised; however, I truly see remarkable progress in many of our most serious issues. And I just want to remind my readers of a few of these.

1). First and foremost, as an American who travels around the world for work, I know for a fact that until President Obama came into power, most of the 8 years before, the people of other countries had lost a huge amount of respect for our government. When the Twin Towers fell, the rest of the world embraced the U.S. like never before and were it not for George W. Bush’s next moves, we would likely not have lost their trust and friendship. But, because President Obama has proven his reliability and good-will once again around the world, I feel the renewed admiration toward our government and citizens as I travel.

2). The President was able to sign into effect the Heath Care Bill, ensuring that every American could have Health Insurance and this is an enormous sign of progress for the U.S. and something no President before was able to get done.

3) In these times where there is always the ongoing threat of terrorism, this president has kept America safe, just as his predecessor did after 9/11; another thing that I believe we sometimes take for granted. At the same time, he remains strong and determined when acting to bring peace to our entire world without ever making America out to be a bully, as was the case before.
4). Without a doubt, the success or lack thereof of a presidency is shaped as much by events as the person holding the office themselves. I truly feel that in every crisis which comes up, this President acts with honour, great intellect, and America’s best interest at heart, even when his decisions may not be politically expedient. That does not mean that I think he’s perfect and above politics, but he knows that getting things done requires that he remain in office long enough to do so and that is no easy feat, especially when despite everyone knowing some things are simply the right way to go, many republicans would rather prevent that from happening to make Obama fail, even if it’s at the cost of the American people. I am constantly shocked by issues which are “no-brainers” being held up by those who would oppose anything which would be a good outcome for this country and therefore its leadership.
5). In the end, President Obama has continued to restore HOPE to not only our country but all countries around the world. As he delivers on his promise to have our fighting military out of Iraq, to re-build our financial stability here at home and to not stand in the way of so many issues such as stem cell research and equality for all Americans, President Obama continues to define himself, in my opinion, as one of the smartest and most honourable leaders in American history. As I said, events shape a presidency so I may actually end up being proven wrong someday, but I would be willing to take a bet that 50 years from now, President Obama will be looked back on as one of the “great Presidents”.

Cheers!

RD

Ashley Holzer has once again proven why she is among the best riders and trainers of the world, taking both the Prix St. George and the Intermediaire 1 in the CDI Saugerties this weekend. She did so riding Jewel Court’s Sonnenstern, the wonderful bay, 8 year old gelding owned by the family, Cordia, who also own the farm which housed the Canadian squad this summer. Ashley piloted the lovely Sandro Hit son to a 68.5% in the PSG and a 70% in the Int. 1, showing that this pair which also competed successfully in Europe this summer, is of a superior class of horse.

Congratulations to Ashley, the Cordia family, and everyone from “Team Holzer”! And…..Go Canada!

Cheers!

RD

For the first time in history, one owner has had horses which have made all 3 teams in which they were competing for spots in a World Equestrian Games. Katherine Bateson Chandler will ride Jane’s gelding, Nartan, in Dressage while Jimmy Fairclough will be driving her 4-in-hand Team and Mario Deslauriers will ride Urico on the Jumping Team. This is a phenomenal achievement for everyone from “Team Clark” and I want to congratulate all of them and especially Jane. She is absolutely the best owner anyone could ever want or a country could ever have.

Cheers!

RD

It seems that ever since I took the Coach/Technical Advisor position for Canada last October, There has been a continuous theme coming back to me when I’ve sought financial support for the Team. Again and again I am told that Canadians just don’t feel the same as Americans about digging deep into their hearts and pockets when it comes to giving to our riders and their future programs. I must say that this is both hard to believe and very disappointing at the same time.

Now here’s the thing - I totally understand when Canadians say that their are neither the vast numbers in the overall population nor the numbers of very wealthy citizens who have a passion for the sport. However, I’m sorry but I’ve already met quite a few people who could single-handedly make a huge difference in the status-quo should they want to do so. And truly, thank God and them, some of them are!

But when I here from one of the WEG Team members that people who are her friends from her barn will not pay $150 dollars ( most of which is tax deductible) to come and honour her and the others at their “Send-Off To Kentucky” event, I can barely even believe it. I bet that most of these people pay more for a nice dinner out from time to time, or a good pair of shoes.

Let me tell you something which says it all about stuff like this. Germany has always been the model of how horse sport should be sponsored and thought of in the world. Countries like Holland and Great Britain watched very carefully and have created major funding resources to change dramatically the scope of their programs, thereby bringing themselves top world-class results. The United States also observed what was working and has done its best to create a successful model. They have the USEF, their federation which handles all equestrian sport and has its High Performance division. They also have the USDF which is their grass-roots organization and finally, the USET Foundation whose mission it is to raise funds for High Performance in all disciplines. While not everything has always run smoothly in any of these countries I have named, they have produced highly successful teams from Juniors through the International Elite divisions.

If Canada truly wants to become a major force in the equestrian world for the long term, first we have to change our mind-set and stop telling ourselves that “Canadians jusat don’t operate that way”. Otherwise, they will stay like France, which is also right next to Germany but somehow even after all these years has refused to see why the Germans and others have become so successful while their only claim to fame was Margit Otto Crepin, who by the way is German and lived in Germany. In other words, I really don’t want to hear why things can’t work in Canada and would like to hear that everyone is going to jump wholeheartedly on the band wagon of an enormously successful future for the sport in this fantastic country! And it can start the moment you buy your tickets to the “Send-Off To Kentucky” event on September 12th. Please click on the banner at the top of the page to get all the information and purchase your tickets today.

Cheers!

RD

My good friend and student, Christy, sent me this note yesterday and I loved it and decided to put it up for you all to read and know about.

Http://www.smilingdogfarms.org/Welcome.htmlI found a foster home in Richmond for the pit bull female that wandered onto our farm looking for a home. She’s in really bad shape, but Anne at the Pawza in Richmond wants to foster her. (yay!)  As most of you are aware, we have our hands full with the five current members of our “Place Looks Decent, Suits Me Fine Gang” and just can’t keep another one. In looking for a place for her, I was directed by Louie’s rescue organization to Smiling Dog Farms in Wharton, a sanctuary for dogs that no one else will take. Thankfully “Pittie Girl” and Louie have other options, but some dogs don’t. And Smiling Dog Farm looks like a great place for dogs with no where else to go. They work totally on donations though, and not surprisingly, are running short on funds right now. 
They can use any help that comes their way, either all at once or a monthly sponsor, as low as $10/month. 
Knowing
all of you are big animal lovers, I thought I should pass the info on and see if we can help them through this tough time. I think they have a bank note due at the end of August!
Thanks!
Christy
www.freestyle-farm.com
I’ll attach a few photos of “Pittie GIrl”…. she’s going this afternoon to the vet for shots, etc, and then on to her new digs at the Pawza! 
http://www.thepawza.com/dog_flash/index.htmlI’ll also attach a recent photo of our “gang”, even though all you can see of Kirby is her little Corgi rear end trying to escape the photo op

I know, I know - I’m wearing my Maple Leaf, but I have to take a little moment to show my pride for my Americans who just made the Team for the WEG today.  I am so excited for my “kids”, 3 of which are going to represent the U.S.A. for their very first time!  Think of this - I have known and watched Tina since she was 11 years old and I am positive her Dad, the great trainer, Alex Konyot, is looking down from heaven with a huge smile on his face!  Todd came to my barn for the first time when he was 13, along with his mentor, Jessica Ransehousen. Need I say more?  And then there is Katherine, truly like a daughter to me.  My two most proud days with her were having her wedding to Carl at our home in Wellington and now today!  Even Steffen and I go back to before he made his first team on Udon and I remember working with him in clinics and always knowing this was a fantastic talent just waiting to be on top of the world, which is exactly where he went on to be.

So, I again want to say how proud I am of them and wish them well in Kentucky, even though I am going to do everything I can to put my Canadian Team ahead of them in the Nation’s Cup as well as the individual championships.  Remember, that’s my job, eh?

Cheers!

RD