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U.
S. is Second in Eventing After Dressage Phase at World
Equestrian Games 2002
U.S.
Vaulting Squad Holds On to Fifth Place
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Jerez
de la Frontera, Spain–September 13, 2002 –The United
States Equestrian Team (USET) Eventing squad is in second place
with a score of 111.80 penalties after the Dressage phase that
concluded on Friday at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez
de la Frontera, Spain.
The
favored team from Great Britain leads in the team standings with
a score of 110.60 and Germany is third with a score of 112.40.
Amy
Tryon of Redmond, WA, on her Poggio II, was the first member of
the squad to go for the U.S. and was pleased with her score of
43.40 penalties
“I
am very happy with my test, he really tried,” said Tryon.
“I am looking forward to the Cross Country tomorrow.”
Kim
Vinoski of Scottsville, VA and Winsome Adante, owned by Linda
Wachtmeister and Plain Dealing Farm, Inc., was less satisfied
with the same score of 43.40. The pair was the last to go for
the U.S squad and for the day which may have affected Winsome
Adante who also seemed to be affected by the surroundings and
had a few little bobbles.
“He
was really tense,” said Vinoski. “He got in the ring
and just blew up. There were people moving around and some noise
and that got him going.”
Individual
competitor Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY, and R.G.S. Renegade,
owned by Colleen Hofstetter, was the first to go for the U.S.
on Friday morning. The pair had the best test of the three American
riders on the second day of Dressage scoring 41.60 and placing
them in the twentieth spot, but Chiacchia felt it could have been
better.
“It
was a little disappointing,” said Chiacchia. “I am still
pleased with it, but I didn’t anticipate how much he would
be affected by the environment, he was a little spooky.”
Bettina
Hoy of Germany and Woodsides Ashby leads the individual standings
with an impressive score of 20.80. Pippa Funnell and Supreme Rock
of Great Britain are in second with a score of 28.60 and Phillip
Dutton and House Doctor of Australia are in third with 33.60.
There
is a three way tie for fourth that includes Sydney Olympic Gold
Medalist David O’Connor of The Plains, VA, riding Giltedge,
owned by Jacqueline Mars, Christa Badger and Jonathan Ireland,
John Williams of Middleburg, VA, riding his Carrick, and Jean
Teulere with Espoir De La Mare of France all with 34.20 penalties.
The
most anticipated part of Eventing, the cross country, will take
place on Saturday with the final phase, show jumping, to take
place on Sunday.
Also
on Friday, In Vaulting, Pamela Geisler of Diamond Bar, CA, moved
up a couple notches to seventh place from ninth in Round A of
the Women’s Freestyle on Friday with a score of 8.145. Samantha
Smith of Saratoga, CA, just missed the top ten, but improved her
fourteenth position to eleventh with a score of 7.783.
In
Round B of Team Compulsories, the U.S. squad maintained their
fifth place standing. Devon Maitoso, the best chance for a U.S.
medal, moved down to fourth place after Round B of Men’s
Compulsories with a score of 8.450.
Vaulting
concludes on Saturday with the Women’s Compulsory and Freestyle
competitions as well as the Men’s and Team Freestyle events
that determine the medals.
Comprehensive
coverage of all World Equestrian Games competition is available
on the USET website at www.uset.org.
The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization
that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest
possible standard to represent our country in major international
competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development
of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides
the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest
potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908)
234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org
.
