Young Dressage Stars Have the Rides of Their Lives at Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic

HorseShow.com was the proud sponsor of the inaugural Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic, held December 26 – 31, 2011 in Wellington, Florida as part of the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program (EDAP), which was developed by Olympians Lendon Gray, Robert Dover, and Courtney King-Dye in a revolutionary effort to find, help educate, and develop talented youth to become the international dressage riders and trainers of the future.

The inaugural Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Sponsored by HorseShow.com is a culmination of the EDAP effort to find and nurture young dressage talent while emphasizing hands-on horsemanship skills.  Nineteen participants ranging in age from 13 to 20 of varying experience levels and from ten different states were invited based upon their participation and success in regional clinics and national competitions such as the NAJYRC and USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals.  These young riders enjoyed six days of a concentrated format of instruction from some of the sport's best athletes and coaches, including Robert Dover, Lendon Gray, Courtney King-Dye, Anne Gribbons, Kathy Connelly, and Katherine Bateson-Chandler.  In addition to their intensive riding regimen, participants attended demonstrations and lectures presented by some of the sport's leading riders, industry experts, and professionals.

HorseShow.com presented a $5,000 sponsorship check to the organizers to help defray costs for conducting this unique dressage clinic, and also provided all participants and presenters with jackets, shirts, hats, and saddle pads embroidered with EDAP and HorseShow.com logos. 

Here's what clinic participants had to say about their experience:

"America's long-term success hinges upon our young riders having a world-class education, not only in dressage but in overall horsemanship, and this is why we have developed this program.  We are thrilled at the community's great support for the program and want to especially thank HorseShow.com for generously coming on as our Presenting Sponsor."   - Six-time Olympian Robert Dover

"I was so inspired by this opportunity to learn from my idols, and it makes me want to work a lot harder.  It's been a life-changing experience."  - Jessica Hainsworth, 15, New York

“I am so thankful for the wonderful gear!  I am very excited to bring it back home to proudly wear.  It means so much to have people want to help young riders!”  - Eleni Econopouly, 15, New York

"Thank you so much for sponsoring our clinic this week!  I love all of the awesome gear!  I will be sure to tell all of my friends about HorseShow.com and can't wait to use it myself!"  Emily Gillispie, 16, Ohio

"Thank you so much for supporting this program, without you this would not have been possible.  I love your website and I live in an area where I drive 4 - 8 hours to get to a good horse show and your website will help me!"  Jessica Hainsworth, 15, New York

"Thank you so much for making HorseShow.com.  It is a great website that is so easy to use and so helpful in return.  I know that I will be using it a lot in the future."  - Allie Cyprus, 13, Texas