Saturday June 19, 2004

Robert Dover and Kennedy Again Brilliant in Grand Prix at 2004 Olympic Dressage Selection Trials

Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy were even better today than they were last weekend.  Just prior to Dover's ride, Guenter Seidel on Aragon and Steffen Peters on Floriano had exceptional rides creating an electric atmosphere, but Dover and Kennedy marched down the center line, saluted and never looked back.  Their score of 78.917% kept them firmly in the lead.  Seidel and Aragon were second with 74.167%, Peters and Floriano were third with 71.875%, Leslie Morse and Kingston were fourth with 71.583%.

Veteran “O” Judge, Axel Steiner summed up today's class, “We've never had this many strong Grand Prix horses in one class, ever.  Looking at Robert's ride today, which was truly international quality, it was interesting to me that I judged the 2000 Olympics with that horse and a different rider, and today the horse went better.

“I am just so thrilled to be able to ride a wonderful horse with such an incredibly fantastic character,” said Dover.  I'm able to relax going around knowing that the horse is doing everything to do the right thing.  So I'm very thankful to Jane Clark for giving me the chance to ride this great horse.  I'm trying to do the best I can, as I came out Klaus said there's more I can do to add points to the score we have now.  I'm shooting to do the best possible job with this horse as I can and help the team every way that I can.”

Comparing last week's tests to today's Dover said, “I was so happy last week because I had not ridden in this kind of environment or climate with this horse until then. I was so thrilled with him last week that I was on a high right after, then he did even better the next day and I came out today and Guenter said it was even better, so after that I was just as happy as I could possibly be with him.”