New York City and Wellington, Florida – November 16, 2005

Legendary six-time Olympian Robert Dover, Brave St. Productions, a New York based television production company serving the domestic and international marketplace, and owner of Offield Farms Karin Reid Offield have joined forces to create a reality documentary, The Search for America's Next Equestrian Star: Dressage.  Shot on location in and around Wellington, Florida, 6 lucky contestants have been chosen from hundreds of video entries to compete for the chance of a lifetime: an opportunity to become Mr. Dover's full-time 2nd assistant and train for a future Olympics.  The competitors will be subjected to a series of mental and physical challenges over the course of three grueling weeks in spring 2006, as they are eliminated one by one until only 3 finalists remain.  In a last all-encompassing test, the final three challengers will battle it out for the ultimate prize.

 

December 19, 2005

The 6 chosen contestants hail from all across America:

--Jessica (JJ) Tate, 27, from Walworth, Wisconsin

--Lindy Bowerbank, 18, from Thousand Oaks, California

--Philesha Chandler, 24, from Wichita, Kansas

--Brendan Curtis, 20, from Silver Spring, Maryland

--Rebecca Vick, 25, from Southern Pines, North Carolina

--Jamil Kassum, 16, from Scottsdale, Arizona

An excited Dover recently proclaimed, “This is a dream come true for me.  To be able to give back to the young people in my industry and really make an impact on several lives is such a terrific feeling.  My goal is for this to become an annual event!”

Russell Best, Executive Producer and Partner for Brave St. Productions, added, “Working with a person of Robert's stature is really exciting.  We feel like we are in on the ground floor of the 'making of an Olympic champion.'  We're very much looking forward to beginning the project, watching these kids evolve, and seeing how they deal with the strenuous daily regimen.”

Brave St. Executive Producer and Partner Tammy Leech noted, “I’ve loved horses all my life and to be involved in a project like this with a renowned figure such as Robert is a great honor and personally fulfilling.  The production will be one of the most interesting and gratifying challenges of my career.”

Karin Offield, a Grand Prix rider and participant in the world of Equestrian Sports, added, “As someone who is keenly aware of what it takes to excel in the sport on all levels, I am thrilled to be a part of a project that gives these young riders a chance of a lifetime and to continue to expose the sport in all forms on a national and international stage.”

Mr. Dover has invited a virtual “Who’s Who” of current and former Olympic Equestrian athletes to participate as Judges throughout the competition, including Katherine Bateson, Anne Gribbons, Gary Rockwell, Lendon Gray and Kathy Connelly.

An announcement regarding domestic and international distribution details will be forthcoming shortly.

Production on The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage, which was delayed as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Wilma, will commence on March 26, 2006, as the finalists arrive in Wellington, and will conclude with a final competition on April 16, 2006. Mr. Dover and Brave St. recently wrapped production on a promotional trailer, which will be available for viewing by early December on americandressagestar.com. Anyone interested in following the progress of The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage is encouraged to visit the show site for continued updates.

For more information, please contact Tim Ettus, Executive Director of Development for Brave St. Productions, at 212-545-7170, or e-mail him at tim@bravestreet.com