Chris Kappler Wins Bronze in Tough Day for U.S. Show Jumpers

Friday, August 27, was a difficult evening for the United States Team as an unusual equipment failure in the middle of his final round, a broken bit, caused McLain Ward of Brewster, NY to retire from the competition for the individual medals. Then, in a jump-off for the silver and bronze medals Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ was pitted against Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa and his Baloubet du Rouet when he felt his horse, Royal Kaliber, take a bad step. He immediately stopped and dismounted, ending his bid for the silver medal.

Royal Kaliber was immediately taken to the veterinary clinic and was diagnosed with an acute tendon strain of his left front leg. It is not a life threatening injury and Dr. Tim Ober, a veterinarian with the U.S. Team says Royal Kaliber’s prognosis is good since there is no bone damage, and with time he should be fine.

“He was jumping unbelievable with only two fences to go,” said Kappler of his round. “[It was] something at oxer fence #15, before the double verticals in the jump-off. He just seemed to land and take a funny step . . .I knew right away I had to pull him up.” There was no second thought or guessing as far as Kappler was concerned – the horse must come first. “He must have just put a foot wrong.”

Kappler and Royal Kaliber still won the bronze medal and when awarded their medal received a resounding round of applause in appreciation of their great performance.

Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY had a very uncharacteristic 12 faults in the first round this afternoon and did not qualify for the final individual round this evening. Madden’s two perfectly clear rounds on Tuesday largely contributed to the U.S. winning the silver medal in the team competition.