Californians Win Prix St. Georges in USEF Intermediaire I Championship at 2004 Festival of Champions

Preview of the Team Candidates

During the morning's schooling session, three riders of the U.S. Olympic team were in the arena at the same time. The complete team won't be named till after this weekend's trials, but Robert Dover and Guenter Seidel led the standings from the previous weekend.

Dover rode FBW Kennedy and Seidel Nikolaus 7, both under the eye of the U.S. team's coach, Klaus Balkenhol . The dressage team chef d'equipe , Jessica Ransehousen , also observed the schooling from ringside.

Dover and Seidel were joined in the arena by Debbie McDonald, who was on the ground coaching rider Carol Plough. McDonald is the one rider already named to the team.

Her Brentina is at this show, but not competing. “I ride her in the mornings, walking. Then we do a little 'long and low' in the afternoons,” said McDonald.

She said she was “very happy” about Brentina's progress after her leg injury. “It's still something that you worry about. Hopefully we took enough time after the injury, and enough time to bring her back.”