Robert Dover will remain the technical advisor for U.S. dressage for the next two years, the U.S. Equestrian Federation announced today, Dec. 2. Dover will serve as chef d’equipe at some—but not all—competitions.
“Alongside his technical advisor role, Robert will continue to lead the fundraising efforts with which he has been so successful over the last three years,” stated a USEF press release. “The funds he has helped raise have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the programs.”
“My thought initially was that I wasn’t going to do the job going forward, or at least not in the way I was,” said Dover. “But the way it worked out, for the next two years I’ll be doing my job and hopefully cutting down a little bit. I’d like to work towards having the next people come up behind me to take over that job. That’s really the thought.”
Dover, a six-time Olympian, stepped into his role as technical advisor and chef d’equipe in 2013.
“[Then] the United States was trying to figure out why, since the Athens Olympics in 2004, Olympic medals had alluded us, and what we were going to do about it,” said Dover in a presentation to the U.S. Dressage Federation’s board of governors.
“My first act was to produce, along with our coaches and our staff, the Roadmap to the Podiums, a 58-page document,” he continued.
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The strategic plan Dover created included prioritizing international competition for high performance riders. This year, the U.S. Dressage Team earned bronze, and Laura Graves on Verdades finished fourth individually, at the Rio Olympic Games.
“So where do we go from here?” said Dover. “Upwards to the highest podium: the gold medal. I hope you’ll join me to make sure America not only keeps its spot but also ascends to the highest podium.”
Since Dover won’t be chef d’equipe for every international competition, his travel requirements will dimish slightly.
“I think as we look at the entire schedule of Nations Cups and major CDIs around the world and determine our goals more clearly going towards the [FEI] World Equestrian Games in Tryon [N.C.], it will be fairly evident what my responsibilities will be, and where I’ll go,” he said.
The USEF hasn’t filled the position of Debbie McDonald, who was serving as U.S. Developing Dressage Coach and officially stepped down earlier this year.
“Even though she’s not in that position, she’s always a huge force behind the success of our team,” said Dover. “She still makes herself available for helping out our team.”
