Television personality Stephen Colbert had the dressage world buzzing with his announcement on the “Colbert Report” that dressage is the Sport of the Summer. Colbert talked about Rafalca, owned in part by Ann Romney (wife of Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney), who is ridden by Jan Ebeling and said dressage was “basically NASCAR in a velvet top hat.” The dressage world took the news is stride and fans and riders, including Jan on Rafalca, were seen sporting foam fingers at Gladstone. The last laugh was on Colbert, as Jan and Rafalca made the Olympic Dressage Team and are heading toLondon. Dressage certainly IS the Sport of the Summer.
Enjoy the good life Otto! The 16 year old Danish Warmblood gelding, ridden by Todd Flettrich, was selected as an alternate to the US Olympic Dressage Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. Owner Margaret Duprey of Wellington,Florida said she decided to withdraw the pair from the list of horses and riders being considered for the Olympic games. Instead, Otto is headed for a life of turnout and relaxation.
Hello Mr. Dressage! If four-in-hand combined driver Chester Weber, the nine-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, looks for a new career – he can certainly try dressage.Chester is inEurope on a summer tour, turning in stunning dressage tests with his four-in-hand team. Last year the foreign press dubbed Chester the “one to beat” in dressage and it looks like Chester is still Mr. Dressage.
Congratulations to Caroline Roffman and her horse Pie on winning the National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship at Gladstone. Caroline, who operates Lionshare Dressage in Wellington, Florida, with Endel Ots, also entered the Sidelines Magazine Supermodel Contest. Caroline is certainly a supermodel in our book!
Tina Konyot and her black Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V had the ride of their life during the third selection trial at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. The duo earned a career high score of 80.149%. Congratulations Tina and Calecto – now you are on your way to London!
The 2012 Festival of Champions was a challenging experience for 16 year old Rebecca Cohen. Her horse Downtown was in the vet clinic only weeks before the competition and Rebecca was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to make the trip to Gladstone. Downtown recovered, only to colic when he arrived inNew Jersey. You can’t keep a good horse down, however, because Downtown pulled through and the pair were able to compete – and ride away with the National Junior Dressage Reserve Championship.
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