Robert Dover (equestrian)
Encyclopedia
Robert Jeffrey Dover (born June 7, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American equestrian
who has had international success in the sport of dressage
. Riding from the age of 13, he began specializing in dressage at age 19 and competed in his first Olympics
in 1984. He competed in every summer Games between 1984 and 2004, winning four team bronze medals. He also took a team bronze at the 1994 World Equestrian Games. Dover is the most honored dressage rider in the United States, and has been inducted to the United States Dressage Federation
Hall of Fame. Outside of competition, Dover founded the Equestrian Aid Foundation in 1996 to assist others in the equestrian world, and hosted a TV show that searched for the next dressage star. As of February 2011, Dover serves as the Technical/Coach Advisor for the Canadian national dressage team.
, graduating at "A" level, the highest level. He decided to specialize in dressage when he was 19. Dover attended the University of Georgia
. He is openly
gay
, and his partner is fellow rider Robert Ross.
, he finished 17th individually, and the US team finished 6th. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics
, he finished 13th, and the team tied for 6th place. In 1992, at the Barcelona Games
, Dover tied for 22nd place, while the American team took the bronze medal. At the 1996 Atlanta Games
, the 2000 Sydney Olympics
and the 2004 Athina Games
the United States dressage team took the bronze medal each time, while Dover finished 25th, 23rd and 6th respectively. He was elected team captain in all six Olympics in which he competed.
In 1987, Dover defeated Reiner Klimke
, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, at the German Aachen Grand Prix freestyle competition. In 1994 he was named the US Olympic Male Equestrian Athlete of the Year, and in 1995 awarded the Whitney Stone Cup, given by the United States Equestrian Federation
(USEF) for excellence in international competition. Dover has been named the USEF Dressage Champion five times, and ridden seven times in the FEI
World Cup Final. In 1994, Dover rode with the United States dressage team at the World Equestrian Games, winning a team bronze. He was also amassed more than 100 Grand Prix victories. Overall, Dover has won more honors in dressage than any other rider from the United States. In 2009, Dover announced his retirement from competitive riding, instead choosing to focus on teaching and philanthropical work.
Hall of Fame. Dover served on the USEF Dressage Committee for many years, and spent eight years on the US Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council.
In late 2009, Dover was selected as a Technical/Coach Advisor for the Canadian dressage team, with a contract that extended through the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky
. After the Games, it was announced that Dover and the Canadian team had not been able to agree on contract renewal terms. However, in late 2010 it was announced that Dover would remain as the interim trainer for the first quarter of 2011. Dover is known for his coaching abilities, with some of the best dressage riders with top international titles to their credit coming from his stables. During his time as a trainer for Canada, he will no longer be eligible to train top riders with the USEF.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
who has had international success in the sport of dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
. Riding from the age of 13, he began specializing in dressage at age 19 and competed in his first Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in 1984. He competed in every summer Games between 1984 and 2004, winning four team bronze medals. He also took a team bronze at the 1994 World Equestrian Games. Dover is the most honored dressage rider in the United States, and has been inducted to the United States Dressage Federation
United States Dressage Federation
The United States Dressage Federation, or the USDF, is the national membership federation for the equestrian sport of dressage. Running under the USEF, the Federation is committed to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage in the United States.Founded in 1973, the USDF now...
Hall of Fame. Outside of competition, Dover founded the Equestrian Aid Foundation in 1996 to assist others in the equestrian world, and hosted a TV show that searched for the next dressage star. As of February 2011, Dover serves as the Technical/Coach Advisor for the Canadian national dressage team.
Personal life
Dover, who is Jewish, was given a horse for his Bar Mitzvah at 13 and was active in Pony ClubUnited States Pony Clubs
In America, Pony Club began in 1954. It is called the USPC or United States Pony Club. USPC headquarters are at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky...
, graduating at "A" level, the highest level. He decided to specialize in dressage when he was 19. Dover attended the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. He is openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, and his partner is fellow rider Robert Ross.
Competition
In 1984, Dover competed in his first Olympic Games at the age of 28. At the Los Angeles GamesEquestrian at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics included Show Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions.-Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
, he finished 17th individually, and the US team finished 6th. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics
Equestrian at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 1988 Seoul Olympics included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions.-Medals:-Medallists:-References:*...
, he finished 13th, and the team tied for 6th place. In 1992, at the Barcelona Games
Equestrian at the 1992 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions.-Medals:-Medallists:-References:*...
, Dover tied for 22nd place, while the American team took the bronze medal. At the 1996 Atlanta Games
Equestrian at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian events were held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, United States, -Medal summary:-Medal table:-References:*...
, the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Equestrian at the 2000 Summer Olympics
The Equestrian Events at the 2000 Sydney Olympics included Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping. All three disciplines had both individual and team competitions.-Medals:-Event Summary:-Riders:*Imtiaz Anees*David O'Connor *Andrew Hoy*Mark Todd...
and the 2004 Athina Games
Equestrian at the 2004 Summer Olympics
The events of the Equestrian at the 2004 Summer Olympics featured three equestrian disciplines: dressage, eventing and jumping. All three disciplines are further divided into individual and team contests for a total of six events....
the United States dressage team took the bronze medal each time, while Dover finished 25th, 23rd and 6th respectively. He was elected team captain in all six Olympics in which he competed.
In 1987, Dover defeated Reiner Klimke
Reiner Klimke
Dr Reiner Klimke was a German equestrian, who won six gold and two bronze medals in dressage at the Summer Olympics — a record for equestrian events...
, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, at the German Aachen Grand Prix freestyle competition. In 1994 he was named the US Olympic Male Equestrian Athlete of the Year, and in 1995 awarded the Whitney Stone Cup, given by the United States Equestrian Federation
United States Equestrian Federation
The United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917 as the Association of American Horse Shows, later changed in 1933 to the American Horse Shows Association...
(USEF) for excellence in international competition. Dover has been named the USEF Dressage Champion five times, and ridden seven times in the FEI
International Federation for Equestrian Sports
The Fédération Équestre Internationale or in English, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports, is the international governing body of equestrian sports. It recognizes ten international disciplines...
World Cup Final. In 1994, Dover rode with the United States dressage team at the World Equestrian Games, winning a team bronze. He was also amassed more than 100 Grand Prix victories. Overall, Dover has won more honors in dressage than any other rider from the United States. In 2009, Dover announced his retirement from competitive riding, instead choosing to focus on teaching and philanthropical work.
Other
Dover founded the Equestrian Aid Foundation in 1996. The Foundation's mission is to financially assist members of the equestrian community who have suffered a catastrophic accident, injury or illness. In 2002, Dover was listed as one of the 50 most influential horsemen by Chronicle of the Horse magazine. In 2007, "The Search for America's Next Equestrian Star: Dressage", a reality TV show created and promoted by Dover, aired on the Fox Reality Channel with five one-hour episodes. The show followed a search for young, talented dressage riders, with the final five being allowed to train with Dover for one month before a winner was selected; the winner became Dover's assistant. In 2008, Dover was inducted into the United States Dressage FederationUnited States Dressage Federation
The United States Dressage Federation, or the USDF, is the national membership federation for the equestrian sport of dressage. Running under the USEF, the Federation is committed to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage in the United States.Founded in 1973, the USDF now...
Hall of Fame. Dover served on the USEF Dressage Committee for many years, and spent eight years on the US Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council.
In late 2009, Dover was selected as a Technical/Coach Advisor for the Canadian dressage team, with a contract that extended through the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. After the Games, it was announced that Dover and the Canadian team had not been able to agree on contract renewal terms. However, in late 2010 it was announced that Dover would remain as the interim trainer for the first quarter of 2011. Dover is known for his coaching abilities, with some of the best dressage riders with top international titles to their credit coming from his stables. During his time as a trainer for Canada, he will no longer be eligible to train top riders with the USEF.
See also
- List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games
- List of select Jewish equestrians