Athens, Greece - It's official...the USA has found the "silver lining" in what turned out to be a nail-biting, stomach-churning jump-off between the States and the Swedes for the silver and bronze Olympic medals. Germany clinched the gold in the evening's competition but the Swedes and US were left tied for second at 20 faults each. According to the rules, a jump-off for the silver and bronze would determine the medal standings.

In the four-on-four jump-off, Team USA was up seven-plus seconds with three riders (Peter Wylde, McLain Ward and Chris Kappler) having all posted clear rounds on the shortened course. The Swedes (Peter Ericksson, Peder Frederickson and Malin Baryard) determined that they could not match the US time. The U.S. brings home a sweet Silver medal for their valiant efforts on a night when holding your breath brought on new meaning. The final Team results: Germany - Gold; U.S. - Silver (in a repeat of the 1988 Seoul and 1996 Atlanta Olympics); and a proud Swedish team, the Bronze. It was the first Team medal for Sweden since the 1928 Games in Amsterdam. To say it was a thrilling, unforgettable night wouldn't quite do it justice.

The members of the US Show Jumping Team are Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY; Peter Wylde, a Massachusetts native and a resident of Maastricht, The Netherlands; Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ; and McLain Ward of Brewster, NY.

In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the U.S. team stood upon the medal stand and had the Silver placed around their collective necks. It was a night of nights at Markopoulo Equestrian Center at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Any fan of equestrian sport would have given their all to be in the audience.

There ere 63 entries with the individual riders not representing a competing Team go first. A short break was set before the Team medal riders began their efforts, which counted for both the team medal and for their right to move on to the individual competition taking place on Friday.

First up for the States were Peter Wylde and his mare Fein Cera. After posting an uncharacteristic 12 faults in Round 2, he was admittedly disappointed. But this all changed with a Silver medal at stake in the jump-off.

Wylde was at the in-gate when he realized that there would be no need for a final rider in the jump-off. "One of our helpers had the times [of the various jump-off rounds]. We were adding the times together, wondering if Beezie was going to have to ride. If we were fast enough," he said. "Just when we were doing that...Hank [a member of the Swedish team] came forward and said, 'We would like to request for Rolf [the last of the Swedish riders] not to have to ride.'" The considerable lead of the U.S. riders wasn't worth the risk or danger of sending the final rider out to try to beat that time. This decision was unanimous by the Swedish team.

After another faultless round in the regular competition placing her team in medal contention, Beezie Madden was ready to go into the jump off last when she quickly realized she did not have to go around for a second trip of the night and a wide smile spread across her face. The Team Silver medal was coming home with her and her teammates.

"Well, actually I didn't know what position we were in until I got to the gate," said Madden. Basically, to be in a better position, I had to go clear. I have a lot of faith in my horse, who is fantastic. But, [after] the first round, I had no reason to believe he would be any different, especially after warming up. I was fairly confident," she said. Madden is the only rider in Athens who goes into the Friday Individual Final with no faults.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the night's third rider in the jump-off, Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ observed, "We've been lucky to work together [as a team]...and we've been here since June. The four of us have been working together a long time for this, and really looking forward to it. "

From Brewster, New York, McLain Ward was in great spirits after being disappointed with his eight faults aboard his mare Sapphire in the round prior to the jump-off. When asked about his feelings in facing the Swedish team for the battle between Silver and Bronze, he quipped, "Well...I'd rather have faced the Germans [for the Gold]."

"As the class progressed, I think we saw it shaping that there was a strong possibility of facing a jump-off," he continued. "Obviously it was great for Peter and I, but Beezie and Chris had such strong performances, and when we finally did get in the jump-off, I'm glad that Peter and I could contribute so much to the team."

He "tipped his riding helmet" to the team from Sweden. "It was a great jump-off. The Swedes performed beautifully. We just happened to go a little faster."

The Individual medal final will be contested on Friday - the last equestrian medal to be awarded at the 2004 Athens Games.

Gold - Germany - 8 faults
Christian Ahlmann / Coster
Marco Kutscher / Montender
Otto Becker / Cento
Ludger Beerbaum / Goldfever

Silver - USA - 20 faults - 131.09 seconds
Peter Wylde / Fein Cera
McLain Ward / Sapphire
Chris Kappler / Royal Kaliber
Beezie Madden / Authentic

Bronze - Sweden - 20 faults - 138.48 seconds
Peder Frederickson / Magic Bengtsson
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson / Mac Kinley
Peter Eriksson / Cardento
Malin Baryard / Butterfly Flip

For More Information Contact; Maria Partlow Athens phone #:693 6733 136 ENDS