Tuesday, February 18, 2002

Jenna Rocks at USET Dressage Fundraiser

Dressage competitor and student of USET Dressage Fundraiser and Olympian Robert Dover entertained the after dinner dancing crowd of over 300, with song and style at The Player’s Club Saturday evening, February 16. Wearing a fabulous dress provided by Petra of Worth Avenue, Jenna Wyatt performed her own song, "In The Rain", where she had the rare opportunity to blend both of her worlds in one night. An appropriate title indeed since most dressage competitors attending the party, including Wyatt, spent the entire day of the Zada Wellington Dressage Classic, in the rain.

A lifelong entertainer and horse enthusiast, Jenna Wyatt passed on a full time career as a singer (for the time being) when it became clear she would have to give up her horses to go on the road promoting an album in production of most of her own original work. “I was in the studio constantly and writing all the time.” Said Wyatt. “There were meetings after meetings, photo shoots, and learning about the business. I soon realized I was about to sign away my life for about 5 years. I was miserable... I went almost 6 weeks without my horses and it was more than I could bear.”

Married to Derek Wyatt, a full time professional drummer who is currently on the "Jars of Clay " tour with Jennifer Knapp and will soon be joining up with the "No Doubt" tour to begin in March playing for artist, "Kenna". The long time couple had a “heart to heart” talk, and agreed Jenna needed to do what really makes her happy, “and that was horses.” While their worlds keep them apart for months at a time, they are in many ways similar, and he recently surprised her during Valentine’s week joining her in Orlando where she was showing.

A full time student of Robert Dover, Wyatt rides two horses owned by Patricia Doerter's Hyde Away Farm, Nairobi a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood by Houston out of Juweel showing 3rd and 4th level, and Barishnikov 12-year-old Russian Warmblood finishing the Grand Prix. She is still writing songs for other artists, singers and bands. Both Dover and Wyatt share an acting class together and have even collaborated on a song. But it is the horses “that are the first thing I think of when I get up each day”. And on Saturday night it was song that topped off a day of showing at the first of many fund raising events to be held to benefit the USET's quest for success at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, being held this September in Jerez, Spain. An event that sold out raising $45,000 to be earmarked for the Dressage Team's effort.

Contibutions are critical for the success of our team. With greater depth than ever the USET Dressage Team has great hopes for continuing their medal prospects in 2002. Anyone wishing to contribute to the quest can contact Gary Jaworski at the USET, and can "be assured" that if funds are being earmarked for the Dressage program, that every cent contributed will go directly to that cause.

Gary D. Jaworski
Chief Development Officer
USET
P.O. Box 355
Gladstone, NJ 07934
908/234-1251, ext. 17 Phone
908/234-9417 Fax
gjaworski@uset.org