About the Emerging Dressage Athlete’s Program And How to Apply

Presenting sponsor horseshow.com gets a big thank you from the participants in the First Emerging Dressage Athlete Program and the Robert Dover Horsemastership "Mega" Clinic. (Photo: Mary Phelps, phelpsphotos.com)

The Emerging Dressage Athlete Program presented in 2011 by horseshow.com and organized by Dressage4kids, Inc., got off to a strong start in its inaugural year of 2011. Clinics were held in Michigan, New York and Texas, with a megaclinic – the Robert Dover Horsemastership Week -- held in Wellington FL from Dec. 26 – 31. The Emerging Dressage Athlete Program is for dressage competitors under the age of 21. It is meant be a stepping-stone from participating at the grassroots level to climbing the long ladder on the way to representing the U.S. in international competition and/or becoming a successful professional. Through this program dedicated and talented dressage talent spotters seek youth out in all parts of the U.S. through clinics and events. Other are selected based on their achievements in competitions such as the Dressage Seat Medal Finals, North American Young Riders’ Championships, the Dressage4Kids events, and other EDAP programs in development throughout the country.
How to Apply

Invited auditors Emilly Gillispie, 16, OH, Jessica Hainsowrth, 15, NY, and Ayden Uhlir, 16, TX join their idols and mentors Robert Dover,, Lendon Gray for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Ayden Uhlir)

Dressage4kids, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization incorporated to provide educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and adults who support them. D4K founder and president Lendon Gray, named to two U.S. Olympic dressage teams, developed the plan for the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program two years ago after seeing the incredible success of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Emerging Athlete Program.

Gray asked six-time U.S. Olympic rider Robert Dover to join her in the endeavor, but he had a conflict as coach of the Canadian Dressage Team through 2010. This year, Dover and Gray asked Courtney Dye, a U.S. Olympic rider in 2008, to join the effort. These three Olympians are combining their individual efforts to find, educate and develop talented youth to become the international riders and trainers of the future.

Robert Dover working with Robert Leuck, 14, who came with his family and pony to Wellingtong for the Christmas holiday to participate, December 26-31 at the Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic and Emerging Dressage Athlete Program. (Photo: Jennifer Keeler)

Gray taught the 2011 regional clinics. “It was so exciting to discover some riders who are generally off the radar, riders with talent and determination who just haven’t had the chances to be successful in competition," Gray said. "There is some amazing talent among the youth in America. We just have to have a way to help them progress.”

"I am so thrilled to be associated with the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program," said Dover. "I believe it will be the finest program for our youth ever produced and bring about the depth we need in our up-and-coming stars to ensure America will always have top medal-winning teams in the future."

These riders had riding instruction from top riders and coaches Robert Dover, Anne Gribbons, Courtney Dye, Kathy Connelly, Lendon Gray, and Katherine Bateson Chandler. All participants started each day doing a workout with physical trainer Bob Gutowitz. They had lectures from international veterinarian Rick Mitchell, sports psychologist Jenny Susser, equine nutritionist Gabrielle Sutton, farrier Arnie Gervasio, equine therapist Arlene White, journalist Allison Brunelli, among others. There was also be a stable tour, tour of a vet clinic, and an afternoon watching top international riders schooling.

USET Dressage Technical advisor Anne Gribbons joined the elite selection of trainers Courtney Dye, Kathy Connelly, Lendon Gray, and Katherine Bateson Chandler, puting the "mega" in the title mega clinic. (Photo: Mary Phelps, phelpsphotos.com)

Potential riders under 21 are encouraged to apply for the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program at any time by filling out an application and sending in a short video of themselves riding.

The application form may be found at www.dressage4kids.com. From these applications, when a suitable group has been found in an area, a clinic is set up. The selectors look for riders with correct and effective positions, correct timing of aids, a feel for rhythm, tempo, relaxation, balance, and throughness of the horse. During the clinic lessons, the instructors evaluate and try to improve the riders’ position, use of aids, knowledge, and suitability for competitive dressage. From these clinics riders are ranked, and the highest-ranked riders are invited to the National Horsemastership Week. All clinics include lectures and demonstrations on related subjects.

Riders selected for the first 2011 Robert Dover Horsemastership Week from observation at the regional clinics are:
*Robert Leuck, 14, NY
*Maddie Guthrie, 13, IL
*Kerrigan Gluch, 15, MI
*Koryn Staehling, 20, NY.

Diligently taking notes in a lecture session from right Jessica Hainsowrth, 15, NY, Ayden Uhlir, 16, TX and Emilly Gillispie, 16, OH (Photo courtesy of Ayden Uhlir)

Riders selected from recommendations are:
*Isabelle Leibler, 16, FL, National and North American Young Rider Champion
*Brandi Roenick, 17, AR, National Young Rider Reserve Champion
*Rachel Chowanec, 17, CT, Reserve National Junior Champion
*Allison Cyprus, 13, TX, National Pony Rider Champion
*Bronwyn Cordiak, 14, TX, and Marlena Kurz, 16, TX, Dressage Seat Medal Final winners
*Rachel Robinson, 15. FL, overall winner 2011 Youth Dressage Festival

The following are participating as official auditors. They will audit the riding sessions but will participate in all other activities: Megan Heeder, 18, MI: Emilly Gillispie, 16, OH: Eleni Econopoly, 15, NY; Jessica Hainsowrth, 15, NY; Kylie Heitman, 16, MI; Chelsea Reed, 16, FL; and Ayden Uhlir, 16, TX.