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Articles: Press Release
Olympic Show Jumping Team Final Has A Silver Lining
for the USA
US Prevails in a Thrilling Jump-Off
Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation
News Release
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2004
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.
2004 Athens Olympic Show Jumping Final Team Standing:
(Medal / Country / Team Faults / Jump Off-Time with 3 riders going)
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
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