It was a difficult evening for the United States Team as an unusual equipment failure in the middle of his final round, a broken bit, caused McLain Ward of Brewster, NY to retire from the competition for the individual medals. Then, in a jump-off for the silver and bronze medals Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ was pitted against Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa and his Baloubet du Rouet when he felt his horse, Royal Kaliber, take a bad step. He immediately stopped and dismounted, ending his bid...

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) will offer free admission to the 2004 BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East, October 9-10, at the Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ. The nation’s top equitation riders under the age of 21, who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search classes throughout the qualifying year, will gather in Gladstone to compete in one of the nation's most prestigious equitation finals. The BET/USEF...

For Immediate Release August 25, 2004 Athens, Greece - On another windy day at the Markopoulo Equestrian Center, Debbie McDonald of Hailey, ID finished in fourth place and Robert Dover of Lebanon, NJ and Wellington, FL in sixth place in the Dressage Individual competition which concluded today. Today’s final phase of competition was the Grand Prix Freestyle. The individual scores are compiled from three days of competition which include the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix...

The Grand Prix Special was ahead for the dressage riders at Markopoulo Equestrian Center today, and an early morning start saw them performing in the Second Qualifier. Twenty-five riders and their mounts posted scores leading into Wednesday’s final day of dressage and the Final Grand Prix Freestyle. And at the end of Wednesday, we will know who will be awarded the 2004 Athens Olympics Individual medals. The U.S. team is coming off their successful bid for a Team medal. They took home the Bronze...

The U.S. Team is currently in second place behind Germany after the first day of the Grand Prix Dressage competition. Lisa Wilcox, a native of Los Angeles now residing in Germany, posted a score of 68.792 and is in 8th place overall, and Guenter Seidel, a German born American citizen residing in Del Mar, California earned a score of 69.500 and is in seventh place. Their combined team score stands at 69.146. Their two other teammates, Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho, and Robert Dover of...

Dello Joio returns to venue of his 1992 Olympic Bronze Medal Victory Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation yesterday announced the show jumping team for the final 2004 Samsung Super League Competition to be held at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain September 16-19. Selections for CSIO Barcelona were based on ranking on the August 6, 2004, USEF Computer List, with the possibility of up to two Discretionary Choices. The team members are as follows: Rider...

The U.S.’s Coast Line Vaulters, on Swiss horse Victor Leo Burnett, took home the team bronze medal at the Vaulting World Championships in Stadl-Paura, Austria, and a total of four individual U.S. competitors placed in the top 15 in both the men's and women's divisions. "Once again, the U.S. has shown its strength by medaling in its ninth world championship event," said Suzanne Detol, U.S. Chef d'Equipe for the competition. "Through the support of the United States Equestrian Federation and the...

The USEF Emerson Burr Horsemanship Fund received a $5,225 grant from the EQUUS Foundation. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Fund was one of 13 recipients to receive money from the EQUUS Foundation in 2004. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Fund was created to promote and perpetuate good horsemanship in young equestrians. Income generated from the fund is awarded to four children each year that compete at the USEF Pony Finals. Each child participating will take a written horsemanship test; the winners...

Kevin Ferguson, 13, of Parkland, FL, won the 2004 USEF Pony Jumper National Championship individual competition aboard Krome. The championships were held August 6 in Lexington, VA, at the Virginia Horse Center. Ferguson was awarded the Swann Creek Perpetual Trophy and the Gold Medal. The USEF Pony Jumper National Championship has been designated as a USA Junior Olympic – Equestrian event. The Silver Medal was awarded to: Hot Fudge ridden and owned by Stephanie Fialco. The Bronze Medal was...

Samantha Schaefer, 11, of Westminster, MD, rode her pony Sham’s Lognaberry to win the 2004 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF National Hunter Pony Championship. The championship was held August 8 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, as part of the USEF Pony Finals. As champion, Schaefer was awarded the International Jumping Derby Perpetual Trophy, a Triple Crown Custom cooler, a 10 inch Revere bowl keeper trophy and a saddle. American Dreams owned and ridden by Jennifer Waxman, 12, of Chagrin...