Jerez de la Frontera, Spain–September 19, 2002–At the conclusion of the first round of Thursday’s Nations Cup competition in the Show Jumping World Championship at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) is in medal position, standing third with a score of 17.75 team faults. Individually, U.S. rider Peter Wylde leads the standings.

Wylde, who currently resides in Maastricht, Holland, riding Fein Cera, owned by the Fein Cera Group still has only the 1.55 penalties he carried in from Wednesday’s opening round. Wylde negotiated the first of two clears for the United States on Thursday morning that took the team to third place from seventh after Wednesday.

The battle for the Gold seems to be between Sweden, who leads with a score of 9.02, and France, who sits on 9.22. The United States is next, just ahead of Germany with 19.69.

Thanks to the clears turned in by Wylde and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY on Judgement, owned by Iron Spring Farm, the U.S. is in third. Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, riding Priobert de Kalvarie, owned by Higher Ground Farm rode last for the U.S. team and had only one rail.

The drop score in the first round was that of Nicole Simpson of Westlake Village, CA, who had an episode out of the Twilight Zone. Apparently, the sound system failed and when El Campeon’s Cirka Z had a refusal at the wave planks, Simpson did not hear a horn so she kept on jumping. The horse then had a foot in the water and rails at both parts of the double. Then, USET Chef d’ Equipe Frank Chapot inquired as to why there was no horn and Simpson was allowed to re-jump the course from the point of the refusal, ending up with 17.00 faults.

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.