Here’s a link to a video that is sure to get you smiling.  My friend, Josh Judge, posted it and said the only way to get a bigger and longer lasting smile is to go rescue a dog at an animal shelter near you.  Great idea and great video, Josh!     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHlJODYBLKs

Luv ya!

RD

I’ve been having a lot of fun with the Canadian Team and their entire group, both with and without the horses.  And I’m looking forward to our very special Team Dinner on Friday evening which will also be a “Thank You” to our hosts, the Priest’s. 

But last night I had a casual diner with Ashley Holzer and invited my good friend, Carl Hester, along.  Carl had Ashley and I practically rolling on the floor laughing as only he can do.  Besides being extremely funny, Carl is a great horseman who not only has great talent on a horse and is an excellent teacher, he, like Ashley, myself, and pretty much anyone who has been around the block as many times as we have, exhibits the humility and sense of perspective one gains only by being both at the top as well as the bottom of the heap during their career.  Longevity in horse sports is by the very nature of what we do, easier than, say, track and field or Gymnastics; however, longevity producing top international results on multiple horses over a span of decades is something not so many riders achieve.  Those that do, know that we are only as good as the last horse we rode down that centre-line on and we have them as well as all the people who help and support us to thank for making our dreams come true.  We also get it that you had best have a very good sense of humour because though Dressage is a lovely art, it can be a very frustrating sport on many levels.  Therefore, you have to take the good with the bad, the fun with the hard times, the high scores with the low, and remember to keep everything in perspective.  We are not curing cancer, stopping world hunger, or even solving the un-employment crisis.  We are dressing up in top hats (or helmets) and tails and prancing around an arena, and we are very serious about trying to do it as perfectly as we possibly can.  To be sure, I LOVE DRESSAGE!  But as much as I love the art and the sport, what I love most are the amazing memories, stories and friendships with people and animals which I will carry with me in my heart throughout my life. 

Cheers!

RD

The Hague Netherlands

The 1994 World Equestrian Games

The Hague is located in the south of Holland. It has many beautiful buildings and among them are the administrative buildings, and the Royal Palace of Queen Beatrix and her family.

In late July Herb and I flew to Hague. Herb decided to rent a car as it was quite far from the motel to the show grounds. They brought around a lovely looking Renault and off we went. Whew, I said, it is hot here. Please turn on the air. Ok, Herb said, looking all over the dash board for the button. I guess there is no air!

The motel looked very nice. It was a one story affair with a small pond in front. Oh good, I said we have a nice view. Once again after we were is our room I called the desk to ask them to please turn on the air. Sorry madam, we don’t have air, said the desk clerk. Would you please send someone up to turn off the clock next to the bed I asked. It’s ticking will keep me up! Sorry she said, it is built into the frame and can not be removed. Hum, being a good sport, I told Herb that we will just have to cover it with towels.

On July 7^th we were off to see Robert ride Deveraux along with his teammates, Gary Rockwell riding Suna, Kathleen Raine on Avonteur, and Carol Lavel on Gifted. Melinda McPhail was the reserve rider on Lectron.

Eight days before the Games a very shocked Gary Rockwell came down with the Chicken Pox and was bedridden. “Don’t worry Gary,” Robert said. “I will train Suna everyday until you are well.”

The arena was beautiful. Susan Dansby- Phelps and her husband reserved a very nice ringside table with flowers and drinks. Watching our riders go was very exciting. The medals went to Germany, then Holland, and the USA who placed just ahead of Denmark and Sweden.

Every one at our table was thrilled with the Bronze, and showed it in a very boisterous way. Susan ordered champagne. We toasted the medal with cheers and much hugging. Our team and subsequent medal was dedicated in memory of their beloved Director of Dressage, Finoa Bann, at the USET. She had died just prior to their leaving for Europe. Jessica Ransehousen was, as usual, their fabulous Chef d’Equipe. Deveraux went over the magic 70% in the Grand Prix, and placed 5^th in the finals for the Freestyle.

The Hague proved that their medal for the USA in Barcelona at the Olympics 2 years earlier was most definitely not a fluke, and gave them the confidence as a team, and a nation to carry on to win many more medals in Olympics and World Championships.

We went to see the beach on a day off. The sand wasn’t as soft as Florida’s, but the board walk had many lovely stores .I zeroed in on the Hermes shop. We went in and I fell in love with the Hermes bracelet, but thought it too expensive. When we went back to sit down Herb said he wanted to see something and came back to surprise me with the beautiful bracelet. It came in a gorgeous miniature red satin hat box. When we packed to leave I put it on top of my clothes while we went down to eat. When I came back the box was gone. Thankfully I had on the bracelet. It always brings me happy memories of that day.

Here is a wonderful picture of the 4 proud horsemen taken by Mary Phelps

I hope you enjoy my memories of The Hague. Rome will be next.

Robert’s Mom, Jean

The Canadian squad had another great training day at Woodspring Farm.  All horses went well as we prepare each combination taking into consideration their individual needs.  All this week we are having “Dress Rehearsals” going on to ensure everyone is in top form when we ship over to the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday morning.   The Team morale is very high and it has truly been a pleasure to work with them all as well as their personal trainers and the rest of the Canadian support staff, all of whom are now here.  I am looking forward to having our Team Dinner on Friday night to thank Kathy Priest and her husband for hosting our very large group at their beautiful farm.

Our grooms have been very busy as well, setting up everything at the show grounds so we can ship over and just walk the horses into their stalls on Saturday and that’s it.  They are an amazing group of assistants and everyone appreciates their hard work and dedication! 

I can also report tat the Germans are eating well since we keep making reservations for places they were at the night before.  And we are on the isle with the Americans and the Australians at the show.  What could be better, eh?  Everyone is looking forward to the opening ceremonies which begin at 6:00pm on Saturday.  I know that they will be a huge spectacle and very fun for everyone involved. I will take some pictures from behind the scenes for your enjoyment.

Cheers!

RD

I had a nice time talking with Samantha Clark this morning for the Horse Radio Network when she came over to Woodspring Farm for an interview.  She asked and I answered.  Take a look at:

Flags up at the entrance of the hotel. Anything missing?

I arrived back this afternoon from the gym to our hotel and the first thing I saw was that they had put flags up for the various nations competing at the WEG’s which are staying here.  So here’s the thing.  Granted, the U.S. Team, itself, is staying elsewhere; however, many, many Americans are going to be at this hotel for the Games and some of them are even quite the V.I.P.’s!  So, on the one hand, I was very pleased to see the Canadian flag front and centre, but I did finally feel the need to point it out to the management that even though there is a flag pole  in front of the hotel with the American flag flying, it would be a smart thing to also have it up along with the others so that everyone driving in sees it immediately.  I mean, you can never really have too many American flags, eh?  I guess someone just got a little confused, which I can appreciate since I keep feeling a strong need to wave  a Canadian flag and a U.S. flag at the same time! 

Cheers!

RD

I just have to give a big Happy Birthday shout out to my much older sister :), Margo.  Now I’m not saying that this is one of those huge milestone birthdays, but I guess the cake which she was given not only says it all but actually and literally spells the entire issue out.  Now here’s the very good news.  We Dovers have great genes and take solace in the fact that we know exactly where we are and how we look and feel at our age now, and that is really not bad at all.  Now these young whipper snappers who are just leaving their 20’s or 30’s and think they can do whatever they want and they’ll still look young and beautiful….. they are soon to find out that the world doesn’t normally work that way.  In Point of fact I have actually created a new group made of of many of my amazing youthful, fit and healthy friends. I call these extremely fit and handsome guys, ” Fabulously Aging Gays or F.A.G.S.

Anyway, it’s just a number, right?  I just tend to completely ignore the “special  day” each time it comes around and am committed to doing all I can to look and feel better every year.  My therapist told me this attitude could become quite complicated but I am determined to do everything possible to slow down the aging process through good nutrition, proper exercise, and of course, a great doctor doesn’t hurt!

Cheers!

RD

T minus 6 days and counting until the World Equestrian Games begin and the Kentucky Horse Park is looking amazing though still under major construction as the final work is being completed to accommodate for the horses and riders from 60 countries as well as the 35,000 spectators who will fill the main stadium alone, not to mention all the other venues.  I was so happy to see that the organizers decided to use the permanent stables for the teams instead of what we were told were going to be tent stalls.  It all looks super and the arenas, especially the main arena are all fantastic! 

While all the hustle and bustle is taking  place at the show, the Canadian Team is enjoying the superb facilities at Kathy Priest’s, Woodspring Farm and riders and horses are in super shape.  Afternoons are being spent setting up the stables and tack rooms at the show so that we can ship over and simply walk our horses into their new home on the 25th. No fuss, no muss! :)   I want to thank all the riders, with a special thanks to our two reserve riders, Wendy Christoff and Evi Strasser. They are all working beautifully and showing great support for each other which makes me very happy.  I also want to thank all the grooms and support staff, Team Manager, Christine Peters, who is doing a great job, personal trainers, Chef’s, and our Team Vet, all of whom are performing like the top professionals they are.  I have had the privilege of Captaining 6 Olympic and 4 World Championship Teams in my career and I must say that Equine Canada and Dressage Canada have done everything possible to help me to do my job of giving our riders every advantage possible as we move into the final phase of preparing for the WEG’s.  I feel confident that our Team will give a very strong showing and am proud and honoured to act as their Coach/ Technical Advisor!

Cheers!

RD

I could not be more proud to report that last Sunday’s “Send-Off To Kentucky” benefit for the Canadian Team and future programs was nothing less than a resounding success!  Not only did all 270 adults and kids have a blast, with great food, entertainment and exhibitions; the silent and live “Riders Auction” absolutely got the crowd jumping up and down bidding, so much so that I think some of them were sort of shocked, just as I was. :).   The best news though is that I can definitely tell you that we raised a net minimum of over $60,000.00 in just a few hours and this number is sure to grow once we finish working out the ticket sales against our expenses.  This is fantastic news for not only our WEG Team but for the promise of programs so vital for everyone from Juniors and Young Riders to a future “Dynasty Cup” and Young Horse program.  I will report on the final net income from the fundraiser at the beginning of next week.  All I can say is,  Sunday was a great day for Canadian Dressage and I was thrilled to be a part of it!

Cheers!

RD

We had a fantastic day of training in Lexington with the Team.  All horses looked fresh and exactly where we want them 10 days out from thee competition as of tomorrow.  Each rider has tailored their schedule so as to build and progress toward one or more “dress rehearsals” which they will have prior to moving over to the WEG show grounds on the 25th.  I love seeing them work so well as a team and have to thank Christine Peters, Team Manager, who has done a terrific job of organizing absolutely everything daily for our riders and horses.  And again, a big Thank You to Kathy, Judy, Olivia and all the staff at Woodspring Farm for making us feel so welcome!

As a matter of fact, truly everyone has officially welcomed us here at the farm.  After our training was over, I met with Olympian and Trainer, Cindy Ishoy, near the barn and as we stood under the shade of a tree talking strategy, a lovely black lab came by and gave her his own ” Howdy do” by lifting hisleg right on her and then trotted off.  LOL!!!!!   We both decided that summed up our thoughts on the sport: if you don’t have a sense of humour, you’re in the wrong business!

Cheers!

RD