2004 Olympic Games - Eventing

Amy Tryon, First American To Go

First up for Team USA was Duvall, WA, resident Amy Tryon.  Beginning her dressage test in the number five position (out of a scheduled 75 to compete over the two days), the Team Gold medalist from the 2002 World Equestrian Games and fourth place finisher at the 2004 Rolex Modified Three-Day Event in Kentucky, posted a score of 50.60 for her test – the best of the first group to enter the arena.  Tryon and the Thoroughbred gelding appeared cool and confident and offered up an impressive challenge to all who followed.

“I am very pleased with how the horse went,” said Tryon.  “Although he is not too experienced in dressage, he did better than I thought.”

Scoring one of the morning’s lowest in penalties, Tryon admitted that, “The scoring was conservative.  I was hoping to get in the 40s…we were hoping for 40s to 50.”

Tryon’s score of 50.60 had her in 11^th place of the 37 riders having gone by day’s end.

Australia’s Stuart Tinney and Jeepster were eighth in the order of go with hopes to repeat his top score from his appearance in the 2000 Sydney Games.  Today, he posted a 48.8 landing in ninth place overall.

“I went as I thought I would go,” said Tinney.  “I am very confident about myself and my horse…the Australian team will definitely be among the medalists, although all the teams are serious competitors.”