Heels Down Happy Hour Podcast 96: How To Be Legendary Like Robert Dover
Horses know when we’re wrong and judge us silently. Imagine that. This week, we’re talking to a legendary dressage pro about his remarkable journey in the sport and getting the low-down on all the wild things that have happened recently, from the EHV outbreak in California to the emotional finish at the Grand Prix of Eventing at Bruce’s Field. Thanks for tuning in.
Click here to stream Episode 96.
Special Guests:
Robert Dover is an international dressage rider who may be the most decorated American dressage rider in Olympic history. 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. Last year he published a book called “The Gates to Brilliance. How a Gay, Jewish, Middle-Class Kid Who Loved Horses Found Success.”
Doug Payne is a 5-star eventer, grand prix show jumper, FEI dressage rider, USEF judge, author, clinician, and USEA certified instructor based in Aiken, S.C. Doug has a mechanical engineering degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was first named to the USEF High Performance list in 2011 and will compete on the U.S. team at the 2019 Pan American Games. Doug designed and produced “The Rider’s Eye,” an instructional DVD along with Jimmy Wofford. His first book is titled “The Problem Horse Repair Manual.” Doug is married to Jessica Payne.
More on what we talked about in this episode:
This week, we’re sipping on a sparkling Rose cocktail. | @f+w
Ellie gives us an update on all things EHV in California. | @COTH
Study: Horses know when we’re wrong. | @theHorse
The outcome of the Grand Prix of Eventing at Bruce’s Field was almost too good to be true. | @EN
Product Review: Eques Pantes has new colors and they are just dreamy!
Robert Dover joins us to talk about the future of dressage and his storied career in the sport. | @horseandriderbooks
Doug Payne drops by to talk about Bruce’s Field, and what it’s like to campaign four Advanced horses at the same time. | @COTH
Mailbag: My husband doesn’t support my riding. What should I do?
More about our hosts:
Jessica Payne is a 35-year-old international event rider who is rarely seen without her long-haired chihuahua under her arm. She was born in London, Ontario but grew up in Franklin, Tenn. and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Animal Science. She once lost the tip of her pinky finger clipping her 4* horse, and husband Doug says she can “talk to anyone including a wall….and they will like it!”
Ellie Woznica is a 24-year-old freelance book designer and horse trainer because she couldn’t choose which career to pursue and her mom said she wouldn’t make the decision for her. She grew up showing the hunters and jumpers, but in university, she learned to ride western and fell in love with reining.
Justine Griffin is an award winning 34-year-old journalist who has written about everything from horses to high profile CEOs to her ovaries. (She donated her eggs once.) Two things she loves the most? Whippet puppies and cheese. Justine is a firm believer in unicorns and feminism. So take everything she says with a grain of salt.
Many thanks to our sponsors this month: Purina and Eques Pante!