Reality television has found the dressage world and two West Coasters are stars of the show.
Eighteen year old Lindy Bowerbank of Thousand Oaks and 16 year old Jamil Kassum of Scottsdale, AZ, are two of six young riders selected to compete on The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage. Six-time Olympian Robert Dover is the mastermind behind the program, which debuted on Fox Reality Channel in October. The grand finale, the last of five episodes, runs Friday, Nov. 16.
Robert Dover and Brave St. Productions, a New York headquartered production company, developed and produced this novel show format. Following a nationwide search that produced hundreds of audition tapes, six contestants were selected as finalists to compete.
During the series, these contestants were put through several challenges and competitions in dressage performance and actual experience in teaching and client relations. This latter part of the competition is relevant because the grand prize winner will be offered the opportunity to become Robert’s second assistant and to be trained for Olympic-level competition by Robert. Additional prizes include an RV/Trailer provided by Broward RV and tack from County Saddlery.
“All of the Brave St. team enjoyed the challenge of tackling a reality show format for the equestrian sport of dressage,” says Tammy Leech, executive producer and partner for Brave St. Productions. Her partner Russell Best adds, “It is a thrill to work with a professional like Robert Dover. And, when viewers experience these talented contestants, they’ll not want to have a final winner! All six of these young people are incredibly talented.”
“The search exceeded my wildest expectations,” Robert says. “Not only did the competition work as we’d envisioned, we witnessed six people who grew as both equestrians and individuals. This comes across clearly in the shows. I want to publicly acknowledge the incredible talent of our six contestants. I’m privileged to have experienced their participation in this series.”
Special credit is due to Karin Offield and Offield Farms for the major sponsorship role played in this production. Karin, the executive producer of the show, says, “The thrill of experiencing Robert’s idea moved to a television series is exceeded only by the news that Fox Reality Channel is going to air the show. How great is that?”
The Fox Reality Channel is a premier destination for unscripted programming. Among their current offerings is Rebel Billionaire: Branson’s Quest for the Best. They also share platforms with FOX Television on such shows as American Idol Remix and other primetime fare. Fox Reality Channel airs on local market cable systems and DirectTV In addition to Lindy and Jamil, the rest of the six finalists are:
Rebecca Vick, 25, from Southern Pines, NC; Brendan Curtis, 20, from Silver Spring, MD; Philesha Chandler, 24, from Wichita, KS; and Jessica (“JJ”) Tate, 27, from Walworth, TX.
The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage is a mix of a proven successful formula reflecting reality, competition and entertainment. In this case, viewers are invited to “visually eavesdrop” on competition in dressage performance, and the art of instructing other riders.
In addition to Offield Farms, other primary sponsors of the show are County Saddlery, Grand Prix Feed & Supplies, RV Sales of Broward, the Palm Beach Equine Hospital, Van Dell Jewelry, dressagedaily.com and the Town of Wellington, FL.
Viewers can check their local channel guides to confirm channel and time, as well as upgrade their service if necessary to receive the channel and/or the show.