2004 Olympic Games - Eventing

Chiacchia Fourth After First Day of Dressage Competition

Under conditions much more windy and cool than Saturday’s heat wave and temperatures soaring over 100 degrees, American eventers began their bid for an Olympic medal during Day I of the two-day dressage phase at Athens’ beautiful new equestrian facility – Markopoulo Center.  Three Americans were scheduled during the Saturday night draw of riders to begin their work on the first of two days of dressage.  Thirty-seven riders posted scores today. 

Last to go for the three American’s competing on Day I were Darren Chiacchia and Windfall 2 of Springville, NY.  With a wind continuing to bluster and causing a stir for competitors, Chiacchia and his Trakehner stallion entered the dressage arena just after 6 p.m.  All eyes were on the pair as they were expected to post a promising score having taken the 2004 Modified Rolex Three-Day Event title in a warm-up for the Athens Games.

Despite the gale force winds that closed the umbrellas of the competition venue cafés and had many holding on to their hats, Chiacchia and Windfall 2 posted a solid score of 44.6 to land him as the top finisher among the American contingent – in fourth place overall of the 37 first-day competitors.

“Obviously I wasn’t too happy with the wind today,” admitted Chiacchia.  “It’s caused a very unpredictable environment, but I think he handled that pretty well…he’s always been one to put in his better tests in these really big environments.”

He continued, “At a competition like this, you tend to try a little too hard and that was probably what he reacted to more.  But, I was very proud of him.”  In his characteristic good nature, Chiacchia quipped, “Two more phases to go.  Keep going!  Keep going!”

The Americans face strong competition from a host of other countries including Great Britain, Germany, France, New Zealand and Australia whose majority of riders will compete on Day II.  However all bets are off in picking a Gold medalist until Tuesday’s cross-country phase and Wednesday’s final day of eventing competition wrapping up with the show jumping phase. Nonetheless, American spirits are flying high with their sites set on the medal podium. 

But before that happens, strong competition is slated for today from 23 countries.