Devon Kane of Diamante Farms arrived at the Great American/ USDF Region 3 Dressage Championships in Ocala with high hopes for her three competing horses. She soon discovered, however, that due to a glitch in the computer system, her entries had been misfiled and no stalls had been assigned for her horses. While this may have been the end of the road for most, Kane kept a positive attitude and once the issues were resolved, went on to win quite a few ribbons. This positive attitude and outlook earned Kane the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award and a gift certificate for a Charles Owen helmet
Catching up: We love superstars, and you don’t get much more super than Totilas, soooo if you haven’t seen him, now’s your chance! We are told that this spectacular animal will make a onetime US appearance competing in The World Dressage Masters at the Jim Brandon Center. The show will be produced by Wellington Classic Dressage and the presenting sponsor is International Polo Club. Mark your calendar for Jan. 26 – 29 and don’t miss it.
We were delighted to learn that The United States Dressage Federation is inducting Lendon Gray into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 2, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in San Diego, California. Lendon has long been one of our heroes, and the work she has done over the years has truly benefited the sport. A round of standing applause for you, Lendon!
Eurospy tells us that Will Faudree is trying horses again in the UK! Oliver Townend allegedly tried to sell him one for £400 k at Blenheim Palace where he was ninth in the CCI*** with Pawlow. However he also tried ‘On Q For Gold, Janet Oliver’s horse. He is trying two others and then some in Ireland. Will keep ears and eyes peeled! And then let you know! Oooooh, and Oliver has recently bought one himself, too. From Lindsay Middleton (married to Simon Middleton of Zebra Products). Have to keep an eye out!
Scandalous! Eurospy spent the weekend with Lee Pearson (nine times Paralympic Dressage Gold Medalist) and told her he was at The National Dressage Championships in England as the trainer of ‘Silhouette’ the four year old owned by The Lady Joseph Charitable Trust (an organization set up to buy horses for the Para Riders by Henrietta Cheetham from her grandmother’s estate). He was also there to meet with the trainer from The Spanish Riding School as they are doing demonstrations at Wembley at the end of the year. This show is a highlight of the annual calendar. Lee was to meet the trainer in the British Dressage VIP Pavilion. As the winning most Dressage Rider ever, the holder of 27 Gold medals (one silver but he doesn’t dwell on that one) he was embarrassed and humiliated to be denied entry. He was not the only one. Carl Hester was too. Carl had just won Team Gold and individual Silver at the Europeans. After a discussion both were allowed in, but this did not reflect well British Dressage.
On the second day Lee had another meeting, this time with Henrietta Cheetham herself. He was again denied entry. (Bearing in mind that The Lady Joseph Trust has invested in BD Para Riders largely thanks to the success of Lee and his team mates this would appear to be extremely misguided). It was raining hard and Lee was stuck outside on his own, in full view of spectators at the base of the grandstand with people pointing at his predicament, feeling rather intimidated.
Later that same day, Lee was asked by British National Dressage Radio for an interview. He refused, but only after explaining why and what had happened earlier. The Radio Team were absolutely disgusted, but also thought it hilarious. Something so wrong has to be funny. Having spent so much of his own time helping to promote the sport and encourage new members, Lee was quite rightly upset and hurt by this treatment, along with Carl. Imagine making George Morris sit outside in the rain and denying him access. It wouldn’t happen!
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