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104 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE O F F C E N T E R L I N E

Catching up: He’s baack! Robert Dover , by his own admission has ‘retired’ more times than Bob Hope. SO it came as no real surprise when Dressage Canada announced he’s been rehired as Technical Coach/Advisor on an interim basis, for the period of January 1 — April 1, 2011. During his tenure and under his guidance, the Canadian Dressage Team achieved its highest placing at a world championships (7th at the 2010 World Equestrian Games), and earned a bronze medal in the Nations Cup at CDIO5* Rotterdam.

But wait! There’s more! If you’ve checked out Robert’s blog, doversworld.com lately, you will have noticed he has his eye on a very tasty horse in his stable called Tacolando, and is making loud eager noises about (!) London. Robert says, in part “if you have that Olympic fre in your blood as well as strong American patriotism, I would ask that you consider my request to purchase this horse and allow me to help Steffen Peters and the others to strengthen our chances for a medal in London … when I commit to making a Team, at least during the last couple of decades, I did it and most of the time, helped to bring home a medal. London will be a great Games and this horse can be a great.”

. Heather Blitz has relocated her training operation back to Wellington for the winter season. Heather’s team of young horses that will be training in Florida are headed by her upcoming talent, the seven year old, Paragon, (Don Shufro- Pari Lord/Loran) who will begin his 2010 campaign at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

We heard a rumor that Jessica Ransehousen was being inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as the athlete with the greatest longevity in sport! We believe it, as Jessica won her frst team medal in 1959, but can anyone out there confrm the rumor??

Guess which Royal is engaged?!? And no, we’re not talking about a certain prince! The Royal we love to follow is eventer Zara Phillips! Zara became engaged recently to longtime boyfriend Mike Tindell, an English rugby player. Hmm, a rugby player and an eventer; that will make for some very tough blue-blooded offspring!

Sherry Guess received the 2010 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award , presented by The Paddock Saddlery. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Sherry was presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, will be featured in the yearbook issue of USDF Connection , and has received a “keeper” trophy and $500 gift certifcate from The Paddock Saddlery.

Catch SoCal’s Best’s “Behind the Scenes” special on champion dressage rider and trainer, Kristina Harrison, on video on demand. Kristina describes the rewards of riding, training and the joy she derives from training her daughter Rison to ride and compete in dressage. The story was videotaped on location at Angele Farms, within the Paddock Riding Club in Los Angeles, CA. Additional footage was recorded at the LA Equestrian Center during the 43rd CDS Championships, Sunday, October 10, 2010.

Kristina’s story can be seen on SoCal’s Best on Video on Demand. To view, customers can tune to channel 1 > Local > SoCal’s Best > Behind the Scenes > Dressage-K. Harrison. The story was produced by Allan G. Buller, a Time Warner Cable’s SoCal’s Best producer in Santa Monica, California.

Horse of the Year! Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, Ca and ridden by Steffen Peters was picked as the 2010 Adequan/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Ravel’s median score of 78.542 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level and the recipient of USDF’s highest honor for the second year in a row.  Ravel, represented by Akiko Yamazaki, was recognized at the 2010 Adequan/USDF Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet with a commemorative personalized plaque, an embroidered cooler and $400 gift certifcate provided by Dressage Extensions, and a gift certifcate for Adequan joint therapy. Also, Ravel is the recipient of the Colonel Thackeray Award and will have his name engraved on a silver trophy to be on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame housed at the USDF National Education Center, located at the Kentucky Horse Park. 

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize this extraordinary horse for his many accomplishments this competition season, his owner Akiko Yamazaki, his rider Steffen Peters and the entire Ravel team,” stated USDF Executive Director Stephan Hienzsch.

Photo by Lauren R. Giannini