Jerez de la Frontera, Spain-September 18, 2002 - U.S. show jumper Peter Wylde is in fourth place at the conclusion of the first round for the Team and Individual placings in the Show Jumping World Championships at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Wylde, who currently reside in Maastricht, Holland, riding Fein Cera, owned by the Fein Cera Group has only 1.55 penalties entering Thursday's two-round competition that serves as the Team final. Less than one fault separates the top three riders. Sydney Olympic team Silver Medalist Markus Fuchs of Switzerland had the fastest clear round to take the top spot in Wednesday's speed class. Eric Levallois of France claimed second with a score of .16 and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Champion Ludger Beerbaum of Germany finished third with .50.

The United States squad is currently seventh in the team standings, but is less than two rails from medal position with a combined score of 13.75. France leads the way with a total score of 4.22, Germany is in second with 7.69 and Sweden is third on 9.02.

At first it looked like the United States had luck on its side. Peter Wylde and Fein Cera had a textbook round with only time against them going third in the line-up and first for the U.S. Wylde was ecstatic.

"It's such a great feeling," said Wylde. "I love this horse! She went as good as I expected and the fact that my score held up confirmed my feelings."

Then the luck started to fade. Nicole Simpson of Westlake Village, CA, riding El Campeon's Cirka Z, owned by El Campeon Farm, went next but had a rail that was converted to five time penalties in the speed class format and ended up in thirty first place with a converted score of 5.45.

"We had an unlucky rail at the last jump," said Simpson. "I thought he went really well and then he nicked the last one at the end."

Things seemed to get worse instead of better. Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY went third for the U.S. on Judgement, owned by Iron Spring Farm. Madden had two rails and placed forty-seventh with a converted score of 6.75.

"He spooked a little at the last minute," said Madden. "I think it had to do with all the colorful material underneath."

The U.S. final rider, two-time Olympic veteran Leslie Howard of Westport, CT, riding Priobert de Kalvarie, owned by Higher Ground Farm, had the unluckiest round of all. The pair barely left the ground going into the first part of the triple combination, so Howard was forced to pull out and start the fence over giving them the most time penalties of the squad and placing them in fifty-ninth individually with a converted score of 8.75 which was the U.S.'s drop score.

"He hesitated for a slight second because of the way the sun made a shadow on the fence," said Howard. "I don't think he knew it was a triple."

U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Chef d'Equipe Frank Chapot is optimistic about the U.S.'s chances for a team medal.

"I think we can dig our way out," said Chapot. "Two of our strongest horses messed up today and hopefully they will go better tomorrow."

The Nations' Cup class that determines the team medal and also serves as the next two rounds of the individual competition takes place on Thursday.

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.