DOVER READY FOR ANOTHER RUN.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

For most athletes, being an Olympian is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Then there is Robert Dover.

The 48-year-old New Jersey native will be appearing in his sixth Olympics as a member of the U.S. equestrian team at the Athens Olympics. Dover will compete in dressage aboard FBW Kennedy.

``I am just so thrilled,'' Dover said. ``I'm shooting to do the best possible job with this horse as I can, and help the team every way that I can.''

In dressage, riders and horses are judged for technique and artistic performance while executing specific movements to music. Medals are awarded for teams and individuals.

The U.S. has not won a dressage individual medal since the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. However, America has done well in team dressage. Dover, who made his first Olympic appearance at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, was a member of the U.S. bronze-medal winning teams in 1992, 1996 and 2000. He also won a bronze as a member of the U.S. team that competed in the 1994 World Championship.

Germany has won the dressage team gold in every Olympics since 1972. The Netherlands is expected to challenge the Germans and the U.S. could earn another bronze.

The U.S. is favored to win gold in three-day eventing and Kim Severson could end a 24-year drought in eventing individual medals for the U.S. Eventing is a combination of dressage, jumping and cross-country riding.

The U.S. team isn't expected to challenge in jumping.

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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