2014 AEGT competitor Laura Ashley Killian puts on a fire baton twirling show (Phelps Media Group)

Wellington, Fla. - Mark your calendar and make your plans now for the highlight of the winter social calendar in Wellington, Florida. American Equestrians Got Talent will kick off in January 2016 for its second year and promises to be a hit, drawing together equestrians from across the disciplines to showcase their non-horsey talents and compete for a grand prize.

Spearheaded by U.S. Dressage Team Chef d'Equipe Robert Dover, American Equestrians Got Talent will serve as a fundraiser to benefit USEF High Performance programs through the USET Foundation. It is a great way to support Team USA so make sure to come out and cheer on your favorite performer! After putting on a successful event last year, Dover is planning to take it to the next level in 2016.

This year American Equestrians Got Talent will be hosted each week in The Gallery at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and auditions are open to the entire equestrian community, including riders, grooms and others involved in any discipline. Auditions will be held each week for nine weeks with free admission to attend, and the weekly winners will receive $1,000 in prize money. On March 20, the top performers will each take center stage in the international arena at the Global Dressage Festival and give their all in hopes of walking away with the title of America's Most Talented Equestrian and the grand prize, valued at no less than $10,000.

Follow American Equestrians Got Talent on their newly-launched Facebook page.

American Equestrians Got Talent Fast Facts
American Equestrians Got Talent, a fundraiser to benefit USEF High Performance Programs through the USET Foundation, returns to Wellington, Florida, for its second year in 2016. Contestants participate in weekly auditions to earn their place in the season finale. Celebrity judges at each audition will critique the performances, and the audience's applause will determine who moves forward to the finale and who goes back to the barn.

Auditions
When: 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13; Wednesday, Jan. 20; Tuesday, Jan. 26; Wednesday, Feb. 3; Wednesday, Feb. 10; Wednesday, Feb. 17; Wednesday, Feb. 24; Tuesday, March 1; and Wednesday, March 9
Where: The Gallery at WEF, 3400 Equestrian Club Drive, Wellington, Florida
Prize: $1,000 will be awarded to the top performer at each audition.
Participants: Auditions are open to the entire equestrian community, including riders, grooms and others involved in any discipline. Please sign up in advance by contacting Robert Dover ([email protected]), who will set up practice times and work with contestants the day and night of the auditions. Walk-ins may be accepted as time permits.

Season Finale
When: March 20, 2016
Where: The Stadium at PBIEC (Global Dressage Festival show grounds), 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, Florida
Prize: The winner, who will be named America's Most Talented Equestrian, will receive a grand prize of $10,000 sponsored by Robert Dover, chef d'equipe of the U.S. Dressage Team, and Robert Ross, P.A., luxury equestrian realtor for Keller Williams.

Sponsors
Mark Bellissimo
Equestrian Sport Productions
Kim Boyer
Robert Ross
Tuny and David Page
Margaret Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.