Betsy Steiner and Rainier
at The Palm Beach Dressage Derby - page 2

Rainier, a 10-year old Oldenburg gelding (Rolando x Elinora) owned by Jane Clark of New York City, was on the USET Bronze Medal Dressage Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games with his former rider, five-time Olympian Robert Dover. Steiner, 51, of Wellington, Florida, got the ride on Rainier a year ago. Dover, who still has Rainier in his barn, is Steiner's trainer and coach, as well as her long-time friend. Steiner works with a sports psychologist and practices pilates to keep herself mentally and physically in shape to cope with the pressures of riding an Olympic horse that is currently aimed at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Because he knows the horse so well, Dover has saved Steiner a year in terms of figuring out how to ride Rainier. "Robert is an incredible teacher. He doesn't miss a thing. He's very intelligent in his teaching," said Steiner, who operates her own training business in Florida and New Jersey. "I think it must be very difficult to have a horse like Rainier and let somebody else be riding him. Yet he's so supportive and he wants to see the combination of Rainier and I do the very, very best. That's a pretty good character that will allow that. I really admire that."

Steiner said she has opportunities ahead of her on the international scene with Rainier and hopes to continue to deepen her partnership with him. "Let's face it - that's a team horse. He's certainly absolute quality. I love showing. I love going in the ring - and what a magnificent partner to have."

Mary Hilton for DressageDaily.com