Thought I'd pass along this fun story. Definitely not the usual type of auction you read about in Eurodressage!!

What's Happening in the Dressage World?

June 2008 - Part III

Guenter Seidel and Robert DoverOlympic riders Guenter Seidel and Robert Dover stripped to raise money to Help Send U.S. Dressage Team to the 2008 Olympics. The two former Olympians went bare chest to show off their Olympic rings tattoos and raised 80,000$ of a grand total of 200,000$ with their Go Go act. The 'A Salute to Hong Kong' fundraiser was held Saturday evening during the final weekend of the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions.

"The two riders both have five Olympic rings tattooed on their bodies and in an effort to up the bids for a portrait session with photographer Elma Garcia, "auctioneer" Brian O'Connor told bidders if they offered enough cash, Seidel just might remove his shirt to show his tattoo," photographer Mary Phelps told Eurodressage. "Seidel responded that "no one over 40 should remove his shirt in public," at which point, fellow Olympian Robert Dover was called upon to show his tattoo causing Jane Clark to quip, "I'll pay $30,000 to see this." Dover responded that he'd take it off for $50,000 and that was all it took to set off a hilarious bidding war. A compromise was reached when Garcia offered to do two portrait sessions and when two bidders offered $40,000 a session for a total of $80,000, Seidel and Dover disrobed to wild cheers and a standing ovation for the two veteran Olympians who showed good sportsmanship and a whole lot more."