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Photo by Diana DeRosa

Show Jumping Opens with a Strong U.S. Performance in Athens

The four-member U.S. show jumping team showed up at Athen’s Markopoulo Equestrian Center ready to tackle the 13-obstacle jump course laid out before them. And that is exactly what they did – and in winning form. Today’s qualifier for the Individual medal saw 77 combinations take on the course, all but two completed it. Ten pairings were able to complete the course without any time faults or time penalties, including two riders from the U.S. (Peter Wylde and Beezie Madden) and two from Sweden (Malin Baryard and Peder Fredericson). The team from Germany, much anticipated to give the U.S. a run for the Gold, posted none going clear, but two with only 1 point each in time penalties (Ludger Beerbaum and Otto Becker). With four medal contenders from the U.S. at Athens, only three have the possibility of going forward to the Finals. That is if they have a decent Nations Cup. Forty-five riders will make the cut to compete.

For the full story, click here.

Photo by Diana DeRosa

Beezie Madden, of Cazenovia, NY, and her Dutch Warmblood gelding Authentic had no time or jump penalties after the first day of show jumping at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Photo by Diana DeRosa

Chris Kappler and Royal Kaliber downed one rail to pick up four penalties today. Royal Kaliber is a Dutch Warmblood stallion.

Photo by Diana DeRosa

New York's McLain Ward and his Sapphire (Belgian Warmblood mare) were clear in their round, but picked up a one-point time penalty.

Photo by Diana DeRosa

The stands were packed with fans from across the world. Of particular note were the Greeks who came out in full force to support their show jumping team.

Support Our American International Equestrian Athletes

You can help our athletes win GOLD at the 2004 Athens Olympics with a donation to the USET Foundation. Send checks to: PO Box 355 Pottersville Road, Gladstone, NJ 07934. Mastercard or Visa Donations accepted by phone (908) 234-1251.

To donate online, visit www.uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF), as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 20 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of U.S. Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.

©2004, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

August 22, 2004