ROBERT DOVER
America’s Most-Decorated Dressage Rider Aims To Grow The Sport He Loves By Lauren Miró
Dressage star and Wellington resident Robert Dover has long been an icon in the international arena, bringing acclaim to the United States in competitions around the world. Now, he will pass the reins — and his wisdom — onto a new generation of riders as he coaches the United States National Dressage Team as Chef d’Equipe. “I’ve been through so many competitions of the highest caliber, I know how to deal with the pressure,” Dover said of his new position. Dover became Chef d’Equipe last April, but he is no stranger to the pressures of coaching. In 2009, he took over as Chef d’Equipe for the Canadian dressage team, a position he held through 2011. But long before the Olympic medals and success that has made him America’s most-decorated dressage rider, Dover said he was just a U.S. Pony Club kid looking to pay for his lessons by teaching less-experienced students. “The truth is, since I have been riding competitively, I have also acted as a coach and a trainer,” he explained. “Even in my childhood, when I was taking lessons, I would teach some levels below me so I could earn money for my lessons.” Training came natural to Dover, who said he was always looking to learn from others to improve himself. “I was very inquisitive as a youngster,” he said. “I wanted to know not just how things worked, but why
they worked with horses. I read a great deal about horses, the craftmanship and about dressage in particular.” He has, of course, had the opportunity to train with dressage legends, and Dover said that he has taken something away from every trainer he has worked under — from his time in Pony Club with Margo Kirn to Bengt Ljungquist and Willi Schultheis, who Dover regards as some of the best trainers in the last 100 years. “They instilled in me not only the mechanics of the sport, but the philosophy of how to love and be one with the animal,” he said. “When I finished my competitive career, it was a natural progression for me to continue training.” It’s not just technical skills, tips or tricks that Dover tries to impart on his students. Above all, he said, successful dressage riders must have passion for the horse and the sport. “If you don’t really love not only the horse, but also the people and the art of the sport for what it is,
Robert Dover is no stranger to the pressures of coaching. “The truth is, since I have been riding competitively, I have also acted as a coach and a trainer,” he said. “Even in my childhood, when I was taking lessons, I would teach some levels below me so I could earn money for my lessons.” 70 March 2014 |wellington the magazine| 10th Anniversary