Ayden Uhlir and the Pirouettes (Phelps Media Group)
American Equestrians Got Talent is excited to announce the Jan. 13 judges: Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions; Kim Boyer, owner of Hampton Green Farms and Chairperson of the Dressage Owners Task Force; and Charlie Weiss, former football coach of the University of Notre Dame and honorary chairman of AEGT.
Contestants can perform any talent act including but not limited to singing, dancing, comedy, juggling and animal acts. Each act must be 90 seconds to two minutes long. After all contestants have competed, they will return to the stage to be selected. The top three acts are chosen by audience applause, so make sure you bring a rowdy fan club! To determine the winner, the top three contestants will perform a second time, so please come prepared to do two acts.
"All you can do is be you," said Charlie Weiss, who was inspired to become involved with AEGT because of his wife's passion for dressage. "Don't try to be someone else and whatever talent you have, just do it the best you can do it. Have fun with it!"
The winner for each weekly audition will be guaranteed a spot in the lineup for the March 20 Finale, where the top performers will 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.
Every audition is free and open to the public. Tables will be reserved for audience members who wish to purchase dinner and/or drinks, while standing room in the back will be provided for audience members who wish to drop by.
For reservations, please call White Horse Fashion Cuisine (561-847-4549).
Each weeks audition and the Finale will be live streamed on the Chronicle of the Horse.
Spearheaded by U.S. Dressage Team Chef d'Equipe Robert Dover, American Equestrians Got Talent serves as a fundraiser to benefit the USEF Development Programs which identify and develop talented horses and athletes that will help deliver medals at future Olympic, Paralympic and World Equestrian Games. It is a great way to support Team USA - be sure to come out and cheer on your favorite performer! After putting on a successful event last year, Dover is excited for American Equestrians Got Talent to take it to the next level in 2016.
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 Development 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 White Horse Fashion Cuisine, 3401 Equestrian Club Road, 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
Contacts
Sponsorship: Sara Ike (908-234-1251 or [email protected]) or Robert Dover ([email protected])
Audition Sign-ups: Robert Dover ([email protected])
Table Reservations: The White Horse Fashion Cuisine (561-333-1150)
Media: Phelps Media Group Ariel Weisman (561-753-3389 or [email protected])
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.