Ready or Not, Olympic Dressage Goes Prime Time!

For years, we American dressage enthusiasts have bemoaned our sport's lack of mainstream recognition -- no TV or newspaper coverage, blank stares at cocktail parties, and the like.

That's all changed.

Last night, Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert proclaimed (tongue firmly in cheek) on "The Colbert Report" that dressage is his "sport of the summer" and that Jan Ebeling's mount Rafalca is his new favorite athlete. And yes, Rafalca is co-owned by US presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife, Ann; and so yes, there were lots of not-so-subtle digs at the Romneys' moneyed status. Have a look:

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

You know the old saying "Be careful what you wish for"? Well, we wished for more recognition -- and we got it. I hope that Colbert's bit intrigues some viewers enough that they decide to learn more about the sport of dressage. And can you just imagine how much airplay and ink we'll get if Jan and Rafalca make the Olympic team?

Get your foam fingers ready! Now that's a USDF merchandising opportunity if ever I saw one.