Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com) is excited to announce the release of THE GATES TO BRILLIANCE by six-time Olympian Robert Dover. In a fascinating book that reads like a potent elixir, three parts memoir and one part inspirational self-improvement guide, readers are ushered through 15 “gates to brilliance”—keys that Dover discovered as he made his way through his own life, from gawky, horse-crazy child to influential coach and entrepreneur. Sharing deeply personal stories that were fundamental to his evolution, Dover is candid about the path he took on his way to becoming one of the most successful athletes in the world.
Early praise for THE GATES TO BRILLIANCE:
“Icon, mentor, coach, philanthropist, activist, friend. While Robert’s achievements may seem larger than life, they are truly not larger than the life he has actually led. Enjoy his journey and let it inspire your own.” —Tami Hoag, New York Times Bestselling author of THE BOY
“Robert’s power in his communities has long been his ability to excel on the international stage while being his true, authentic self. His raw vulnerability in this book – lumps, bumps and all – through coming out, the AIDS crisis and his incredible dressage career is a testament to a trailblazing champion and serves as powerful life lessons for today’s and future generations.” —Cyd Zeigler, Co-founder of Outsports.com
“Robert Dover essentially defined US dressage over the course of the 25 years he rode on the US team and beyond, yet his honest, sometimes painful memoir tells of much more than his scores and medals. With a quick, energetic pace, the book moves forward with impulsion as Dover speaks of finding positivity and purpose despite heartbreaks and disappointments, focusing on love and remaining true to yourself and your passion even amidst the inevitable pains, learning experiences, and losses of life. Whether you’re a devoted fan of the sport or aren’t sure how to pronounce ‘dressage,’ you’ll find insight and inspiration. Required reading for ambitious equestrians or anyone striving to take a passion or pursuit to the next level.” —Beth Rasin, President & Executive Editor, The Chronicle of the Horse
“What a joy to ride along on Robert’s life journey as he changed the face of dressage in the United States. His storytelling is as splendid as his riding—from his early escapades with Pony Club to being part of six U.S. Olympic Dressage teams—Robert has not only mastered the sandbox but has mastered the art of weaving the story of his life into a medal worthy adventure.” —Jan Westmark, Editor-In-Chief, Sidelines Magazine
296 pages | 118 color & b/w photos | Watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UckEBvoQ2Z8
Growing up in a small Maine town, Chris Lombard had never ridden a horse—never even touched one. But on one fateful night, as what he’d thought was a happy twenty-something life full of love and possibility fell suddenly apart, he met two horses and looked into their eyes. What he saw inspired him to leave everything he had, and everything he didn’t have, and go in search of what was missing.
With the little he needed packed in his ten-year-old Pontiac Grand Prix, and little more to go on than a belief that someone would give him a chance, Chris headed west to find work on a horse ranch. His journey took him first to the mountains of Colorado, then the Hollywood Hills of California, and finally, the wild borderlands of Southern Arizona. Evocatively written, LAND OF THE HORSES interweaves the author’s growing understanding of horses and how we connect with them with his deeply personal experiences, bringing to life a young man’s transformation alongside the horses, people, and dramatic landscapes of the American West. Healing heartbreak, falling and getting back on, searching for something true—this is a story that is in all of us.
Early praise for LAND OF THE HORSES:
“This book changed my life. And it will change yours.” —Joe Camp, author of The Soul of a Horse
“A well-written and heartfelt book that demonstrates the positive and often life-changing promise that horses have to offer—when we let them.” —Mark Rashid, author of Journey to Softness, Finding the Missed Path, and Horses Never Lie
208 pages | Watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-jlnbYdW-4
For more information about these books and authors, contact Rebecca Didier (rdidier@trafalgarbooks.com)
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HorseandRiderBooks
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TSBbooks
Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horseandriderbooks/
Read our blog: http://horseandriderbooks.wordpress.com
Trafalgar Square Books, the leading publisher of equestrian books and videos, is a small business based on a farm in rural Vermont. We’ve published books “for the good of the horse” for over 35 years.