September 13, 2002 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Eventing squad is in second place with a score of 111.80 penalties after the Dressage phase that concluded on Friday at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
The favored team from Great Britain leads in the team standings with a score of 110.60 and Germany is third with a score of 112.40.
Amy Tryon of Redmond, WA, on her Poggio II, was the first member of the squad to go for the U.S. and was pleased with her score of 43.40 penalties
“I am very happy with my test, he really tried,” said Tryon. “I am looking forward to the Cross Country tomorrow.”
Kim Vinoski of Scottsville, VA and Winsome Adante, owned by Linda Wachtmeister and Plain Dealing Farm, Inc., was less satisfied with the same score of 43.40. The pair was the last to go for the U.S squad and for the day which may have affected Winsome Adante who also seemed to be affected by the surroundings and had a few little bobbles.
“He was really tense,” said Vinoski. “He got in the ring and just blew up. There were people moving around and some noise and that got him going.”
Individual competitor Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY, and R.G.S. Renegade, owned by Colleen Hofstetter, was the first to go for the U.S. on Friday morning. The pair had the best test of the three American riders on the second day of Dressage scoring 41.60 and placing them in the twentieth spot, but Chiacchia felt it could have been better.
“It was a little disappointing,” said Chiacchia. “I am still pleased with it, but I didn’t anticipate how much he would be affected by the environment, he was a little spooky.”
Bettina Hoy of Germany and Woodsides Ashby leads the individual standings with an impressive score of 20.80. Pippa Funnell and Supreme Rock of Great Britain are in second with a score of 28.60 and Phillip Dutton and House Doctor of Australia are in third with 33.60.
There is a three way tie for fourth that includes Sydney Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor of The Plains, VA, riding Giltedge, owned by Jacqueline Mars, Christa Badger and Jonathan Ireland, John Williams of Middleburg, VA, riding his Carrick, and Jean Teulere with Espoir De La Mare of France all with 34.20 penalties.
The most anticipated part of Eventing, the cross country, will take place on Saturday with the final phase, show jumping, to take place on Sunday.
Also on Friday, In Vaulting, Pamela Geisler of Diamond Bar, CA, moved up a couple notches to seventh place from ninth in Round A of the Women’s Freestyle on Friday with a score of 8.145. Samantha Smith of Saratoga, CA, just missed the top ten, but improved her fourteenth position to eleventh with a score of 7.783.
In Round B of Team Compulsories, the U.S. squad maintained their fifth place standing. Devon Maitoso, the best chance for a U.S. medal, moved down to fourth place after Round B of Men’s Compulsories with a score of 8.450.
Vaulting concludes on Saturday with the Women’s Compulsory and Freestyle competitions as well as the Men’s and Team Freestyle events that determine the medals.
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, vaulters 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
