Summer Olympics 2000 Experienced U.S. horses could help in the end

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Tuesday, September 26
Experienced U.S. horses could help in the end
Associated Press

SYDNEY, Australia -- U.S. dressage riders sat securely in third place midway through the team competition here, with the Germans and Dutch out to their accustomed lead.

The United States finished the day with 3,403 points, behind Germany with 3,765 and The Netherlands with 3,661. Australia is well back in fourth with 3,317.

Robert Dover of Flemington, N.J., was first up for the United States and had a generally smooth ride on Ranier to score 1,678 points (67.12 percent), although the horse kicked out at the end.

"Overall, I started out our team with a nice score," said Dover. "The other U.S. horses are more experienced. It looks like a real horse race for the bronze."

Flim Flam, ridden by Susan Blinks of Wellington, Fla, let out a huge buck just before he entered the ring and then turned that energy into brilliance, earning 1,725 points or 69.0 percent.

"He was feeling great," said Blinks. "I knew he would do that. God bless him, he's never done that in the ring."

The team competition is also a qualifier for the individual medals. The battle for individual gold developed as expected with the return of Atlanta champion Isabell Worth of Germany on Gigolo and silver medalist of Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands on Bonfire.

Both rode in pouring rain, while the showers stopped briefly for the two U.S. riders. Bonfire was unusually tense and scored 75.0 percent. Gigolo showed both more spark and steadiness and was rewarded with 76.32 percent.

"So far, I'm pleased," said Werth. "I was tense going in as the first for our team, with the rain and umbrellas."

Van Grunsven said the six-year battle between the two equine stars has benefitted the sport.

"It has been very good to have these two," she said. "They've taken the level up very high and the other riders all try to beat us."

The rider order was determined by draw and helped the U.S., since some of the strongest riders on the other teams had to go out early.

"It worked out to our advantage," said U.S. coach Jessica Ransehousen. "What you want with your first ride is to set a tone to build on."

Alexandra Simons de Ridder of Germany is currently third on Chacomo with 74.28 percent. Blinks is in sixth individually, with Dover in ninth out of the 25 riders on the first day.

Two riders from each team rode Tuesday, and the last two will go Wednesday, with the top three scores to determine the medals. The German, Dutch and American teams finished 1-2-3 in 1996.

Dressage involves performing classical horsemanship movements in an enclosed arena, scored by five judges.

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