Jerez de Frontera, Spain - September 11, 2002 - Vaulting competition began on Wednesday at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. After the first round of compulsories, the U.S. team, Free Artists Creative Equestrians (FACE) of Moorpark, CA, stands in sixth with a score of 6.668.

The German team is currently in the lead with a score of 7.437, Switzerland is in second scoring 7.339 and the team from Sweden is in third with a score of 7.073.

Individually, two U.S. athletes are in the top ten. Pamela Geislen of Diamond Bar, CA is in eighth in the women's division with a score of 7.835 and Devon Maitozo of Acton, CA is in tenth in the men's division with a score of 8.083.

Maitozo is appearing in his sixth World Championship and was crowned Individual World Champion at the World Equestrian Games in 1998 in Rome, Italy. Maitozo is also the coach for the FACE team.

Pamela Geisler is also a veteran of vaulting competing since the age of six and is making her fifth trip to the World Championships. Geisler was happy with her performance in the compulsories, but is really looking forward to the Freestyle competition on Thursday.

"My performance today was pretty good," said Geisler. "But I am really excited about the Kur, that's my strong point. It's nice to be here though, with all of the other disciplines."

Team manager Carolyn Bland compares the sport of Vaulting to a "brilliant dance on a moving stage." Bland feels the US team will do well under the auspices of coach Maitozo and is also looking forward to the Freestyle.

"The U.S. Team is strong," said Bland. "They have a lot of surprises in store for the Freestyle."

Vaulting competition continues on Thursday with team and individual Freestyle competition. Eventing also gets going with the first day of Dressage. The Grand Prix Dressage competition that determines the team medal concludes on Thursday.

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.