2016 Robert Dover HorseMastership Week

October 28, 2015 — Young Riders from across the nation are gearing up for another exciting HorseMastership week coming up January 5-9, 2016. “This will be by far the most exciting clinic to date!” was Robert Dover’s reaction after seeing the line-up for the clinic with some of the world’s top trainers, riders and specialists in its entirety. Trainers, besides Robert, will include Steffen Peters and George Williams, top riders such as Laura Graves and Endel Ots will also share their expertise, as well as top specialists including Dr. Rick Mitchell, Laura King and Jane Savoie. “Our Juniors and Young riders need to be our future investment,” states Steffen Peters, who is also very excited about being involved in the clinic this year.

The clinic will again be held at the Global Dressage Facility in Wellington, Florida thanks to the generous sponsorship of Mr. Mark Bellissimo and Equestrian Sport Productions. All riding will take place under the covered area thanks to the generous sponsorship of the VanKampen Foundation.

This year, there are 18 invited riders coming to attend the clinic as well as 6 invited auditors. Participants and auditors are chosen based on competitive success as well as attendance at other Emerging Dressage Athlete clinics and programs. Participants this year include riders: Alexander Dawson (WI), Mikayla Frederick (IA), Kristin Counterman (VA), Tillie Jones (NE), Allison Nemeth (NJ), Bebe Davis (FL), Natalie Pai (VA), Kerrigan Gluch (MI), Allie Hopkins (TX), Asia Rupert (CT), Claire McNulty (MI), Lilly Simons (NY), Cassidy Gallman (CA), Molly Paris (NC), Anna Weniger (NC), Nicholas Hansen (PA), Allie Cyprus (TX), and Lindsay Holleger (GA); and auditors: Julia Barton (KS), Jessica Fan (TX), Chloe Hatch (FL), Bug Karls (CO), Jordan Lockwood (TN) and Kylie McKereghan (OR).

The format for the clinic this year will be that each rider will have the opportunity to ride with one trainer on the first two days of the clinic, then everyone will have the third day off, then ride with a second trainer the last two days of the clinic. The trainers for this year’s clinic are a star-filled lineup including: Robert Dover (6 time Olympian and current USET Chef d’Equipe,) Steffen Peters (3 time Olympian, WEG and World Cup medalist, 2015 Team and Individual Pan Am Gold medalist,) George Williams (International rider and current USEF Youth Coach,) Charlotte Bredahl-Baker (Olympian and current USEF Youth Coach,) and last, but not least, Laura Graves (5th place individually at the 2014 WEG, 4th individually at the 2015 World Cup, Pan Am Team Gold, and Pan Am individual silver medalist.)

The lessons will be in the mornings each day of the clinic, and the afternoon sessions as well as the day off will be filled with an equally star-studded line-up of presenters. Presenters this year will include: Dr. Rick Mitchell (US Team Veterinarian,) Jane Savoie (International rider and author,) Janet Foy (FEI 4* and USEF “S” Judge,) Laura King (Sports Psychologist and Performance Coach,) Ken Braddick (journalist,) Charlie Tota (Owner of The Dressage Connection and Master Saddle Fitter,) Endel Ots (represented the US at the Young Horse Finals in Aachen in 2015,) and Kim Herslow (represented the US at the Pan Am Games in 2015.) Additionally, one afternoon, the group will get a tour of Oded Shimoni’s Wellington based barn and be able to watch some of the daily training that goes on at that facility. “These kids have worked hard to be eligible for this program. They deserve to be exposed to the best of the best,” states Dressage 4 Kids founder Lendon Gray about the presenters for this year’s clinic.

This amazing opportunity will not just be available for the kids invited to this program! The lessons and presentations are also open to auditors on all of the days. The auditing fee will be $30/day; $20/half day; $125/week. This will be an amazing educational opportunity for all dressage enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike, so please plan on joining us.

We are extremely lucky to have some wonderful sponsors who have come on board to help us again in 2016. Beth Haist from The Horse of Course Tack Shop is donating jackets and vests to the participants, Adam Pollack from White Fences Equestrian Center is donating polo shirts to the participants and Charlie Tota from the Dressage Connection is donating saddle pads to the participants. Cindy Lambert (IL) as a generous travel sponsor for Steffen. Anyone interested in coming on as a sponsor for the 2016 Robert Dover HorseMastership Clinic, please contact Annie Cizadlo at kodester1@yahoo.com or 218-349-3452 for details about what we need. Any amount will help and all donations are tax deductible and go to the Dressage 4 Kids organization.

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