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Sunday, September 24
No matter what dynamic, U.S. wants gold
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- In one of the few sports where men and
women compete against each other, the United States is fielding an
all-woman squad in Olympic show jumping for the first time.
With competition beginning Monday (Sunday night ET), the riders
and their leaders are about to see just how this unusual situation
affects the medal chances.
"The dynamics of this team is slightly different because they
are all women," team manager Sally Ike said. "They all bring
something different, and they all get along great. They're closer
than if they were mixed. I'd like to believe the camaraderie
translates into competitive spirit."
Equestrian, sailing and mixed doubles in racquet sports such as
tennis and badminton are the only places at the games where males
and females mingle for medals. The United States has not had a
single-sex show-jumping team since the all-male squad in 1976 at
Montreal.
But the athletes themselves say the goal is the same -- to win.
"We're all incredibly driven people," said rider Laura Kraut
of Oconomowoc, Wis., who will compete on her mare, Liberty.
Her teammates include Nona Garson of Lebanon, N.J., on
Rhythmical; Margie Goldstein Engle of Wellington, Fla., on Perin;
and Lauren Hough of Ocala, Fla., on Clasiko.
"This team is a good example to dispute those who think it only
takes a lot of money to do this," Ike said. "It takes a lot of
hard work."
She said all the riders purchased their horses young and trained
the horses themselves. Some have formed a syndicate of supporters
to defray expenses.
Show jumping begins Monday with qualifying. Dressage medals will
be contested starting Tuesday.
The U.S. show jumping riders are experienced, but none has
competed before at the Olympics, which may affect their chances.
The dressage team is looking to contest for the bronze, behind the
powerhouse Germans and Dutch, who are also strong in show jumping.
Equestrian so far has produced two U.S. medals -- a team bronze
and the individual gold for David O'Connor of The Plains, Va.
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