2004 Olympic Games - Dressage

United States Team Wins Olympic Bronze Medal in Dressage

Photos by Cealy Tetley

In what should be described as a Herculean effort, Team USA brought their best to Athens to bring home a medal – and they certainly did not disappoint anyone. The team composed of Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho, riding the mare Brentina; Robert Dover of Lebanon, N.J., on FBW Kennedy; Guenter Seidel of Del Mar, Calif., on the young and promising Aragon; and Lisa Wilcox, a Los Angeles native residing in Germany on the stallion Relevant, stood on the medal podium and proudly received their Bronze Team medal.

It was a tough competition, with the powerhouse German Team and their undeniable national dressage heritage taking the Gold with an average score of 74.653; an ever-improving Spanish Team taking the Silver (72.917); and a determined U.S. Team bring home the Bronze (71.500).

“It’s been a tough year for everyone," observed Debbie McDonald. "You hope everyone stays healthy and sound and it’s been a tough year for the U.S. Team in that regard, trying to get our team strong and healthy to this point hasn’t been 100% easy. I think if we can come home with a medal, I think we’d feel really good about that this year,” said McDonald.

On his Bronze medal Team victory, six-time Olympic veteran Dover said, “We are always happy to have any medal. We’re excited to show that we are in the top three in the world. We are proud of our team.”

Dressage competition resumes Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. at the Markopoulo Equestrian Center. The athletes, both human and equine, will now continue to the next phase of competition for the individual medals in the Grand Prix Special.

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