DressageDaily: Robert Dover Announces American Dressage Idol Program

Friday December 3, 2004

Robert Dover Announces "The Search for America's Next Dressage Star"

FBW Kennedy USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year

Guenter Seidel and Robert Dover “I was asked to say a few words here this evening, “ smiled Robert Dover, after he approached the podium during the USDF 2004 Salute Gala, honoring USDF volunteers, Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award inductees, “But anyone who knows me knows that that is impossible.”

Dover continued to share stories of his sixth Olympic experience in Athens from the disconcerting security measures taken for the American Olympic Teams during the opening ceremonies, to the comic. “Jessica saw a uniformed, official looking USA person as we were in the arena, and asked her to take each one of our cameras and take pictures of our team. It turned out our photographer was none other than tennis great Martina Navratilova!”

Dover got serious, taking the opportunity to make a point about the state of Dressage in America, and how it fits with the rest of the world. He went on to emphasize that we now have the trainers, horses, and riders in the United States who have reached a level which is now par with other great teams and riders in other countries. But he made a point that “We continue to suffer a low self esteem, and we will not move forward in the eyes of Europe with that attitude, who continue to feed on that low self esteem.”

“The sport is at a crossroads, with our new home about to be built (the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park), and I propose to work hard to attain the world’s respect, by announcing a program I will personally introduce and manage, The American Dressage Idol Competition.”

Dover’s program is now officially open to any rider, 24 years or younger to send them a video of themselves and their horse for him to review. “I will respond to every applicant personally with my commentary, and from that group I will select 3-5 riders to come to my barn and work with me for the month of April." The winner will receive, besides a full paying job from Dover, over $6,000.00 of tack and clothing from EuroAmerican Saddlery. Dover will judge the top group on riding, training, teaching, horsemanagement, and how they interact with others. There will be weekly surprise guest judges during the month of April and a grand finale in the end of April.

All applicants can submit their videos (which will not be returned) to
Robert Dover
12028 Longwood Green Drive
Wellington, Florida 33414

George Williams, USDF Vice President and recipient of the Grand Prix Horse of the Year for 2003 with Rocher, then presented Dover and Jane Clark’s FBW Kennedy, with the 2004 USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year Award.

The 2004 USDF Salute Gala held Thursday evening was an entertaining and poignant ceremony which honored many of the special awards USDF presents each year for Volunteers, GMO’s and Hall of Fame inductees, Captain Andrew Bela de Szinay and Dr. Max Gahwyler, and the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Kay Meredith. DressageDaily will be featuring each of these recipients noting their many achievements and contributions to the USDF and to the sport in future coverage, so stay tuned to our ongoing coverage of the 2004 USDF Meeting.