Robert Dover
Mastering the Movements with Robert Dover
What does it mean to lead with love on horseback, in life, and through decades of change? Robert Dover’s life is a testament to what happens when queer leadership meets purpose. In this episode, Robert recounts his trailblazing role in Olympic history, the mentors who shaped him, and the community he continues to build through advocacy, storytelling, and care. As he navigates love, sport, and identity, Dover reminds us that the greatest legacies are built with compassion."You just have to go in with an open heart, coming from a place of love for the sport, for the people in it, and for the animals above all else. That’s how you lead."
- Robert Dover
What does it mean to lead with love on horseback, in life, and through decades of change? Robert Dover’s life is a testament to what happens when queer leadership meets purpose. In this episode, Robert recounts his trailblazing role in Olympic history, the mentors who shaped him, and the community he continues to build through advocacy, storytelling, and care. As he navigates love, sport, and identity, Dover reminds us that the greatest legacies are built with compassion."You just have to go in with an open heart, coming from a place of love for the sport, for the people in it, and for the animals above all else. That’s how you lead."
- Robert Dover
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Highlights
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Guest Biography
Robert Dover was given a horse for his Bar Mitzvah at 13 and was active in Pony Club, graduating at "A" level, the highest level. He specialized in dressage when he was 19, competed in his first olympics in 1984 and became the first openly gay Olympic athlete when he came out in 1988. Robert has more honors than any other U.S. dressage rider as a six-time Olympian and four-time bronze medalist. He competed in every summer Games between 1984 and 2004 and became the first American since 1960 to win the Aachen Grand Prix in 1987. In 2008 he was inducted into the United States Dressage Federation Hall of Fame. Since 2013, he has served in the role as Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Dressage Team. Under his leadership, the U.S. Dressage Team returned to the podium at the 2016 Olympic Games where the team won a bronze medal. Additionally, in 2015, Dover coached the team to a gold medal at the Pan American Games. In addition to his role in coaching the U.S. Dressage Team, Robert was responsible for assisting in the growth of the development and pipeline programs, created and produced a reality-TV program, and focused on raising the standard of excellence across all levels of dressage in the U.S. |
Show Notes
Season 3, Episode 13 Credits
Guest: Robert Dover Host: Liz Cavallaro Host: Bree Fram Audio: Frieda Garcia Show Notes: Alexa Goodrich-Houska |